Florida HB 1447 mandates ignition interlocks for boaters and sets minimum prison terms for BUI manslaughter
March 13, 2026
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
The Frame
The bill would significantly increase penalties and compliance requirements for Florida boaters, specifically impacting those convicted of offenses and requiring all operators to maintain specific safety documentation.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
vessel operators
All operators would be required to carry a boating safety ID card regardless of their birth date.
BUI offenders
Individuals convicted of BUI violations face mandatory minimum prison terms, ignition interlock requirements, and new insurance mandates.
DHSMV
The agency is required to update ID and license issuance processes to include boating safety symbols and verify boating safety cards.
Last recorded activity March 13, 2026.
Introduced.
Summary
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Why It Matters
The bill would significantly increase penalties and compliance requirements for Florida boaters, specifically impacting those convicted of offenses and requiring all operators to maintain specific safety documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a boating safety ID card if I was born before the current cutoff date?
Will I have to pay extra to have a boating safety symbol on my driver license?
News Coverage
Lobbying Activity
CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES INC.
on behalf of NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
APEX GROUP THE
on behalf of WESTERN BOATERS SAFETY GROUP
CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES INC.
on behalf of NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Universal Boating Safety Requirement
The bill shifts from an age-based requirement for boating safety ID cards to a universal requirement for all vessel operators.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools