House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building 
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800 
2-1982-5136 
For Immediate Release: 
 
February 25, 2004 
 
Legislation Protecting Boaters Sails through House 
 
Bill Requires Probable Cause Before Boarding Recreational Vessels 
Atlanta Representatives Jay Shaw (D-Lakeland) announces the House has passed HB 1185 overwhelmingly by a vote of 162-2 and it is now in the Senate. The bill requires Department of Natural Resource Officers and other officials who patrol Georgia's lakes and rivers to get permission of the owner or operator, or have reasonable cause a regulation has been broken, before they board and inspect boats. 
 
The bill does not apply to any saltwater vessels, or boats over 30 feet in length because the right to board is considered crucial to enforce commercial fishing codes. Currently, Department of Natural Resources Officers, and other law enforcement officials are allowed to stop smaller boats and vessels that are operating on Georgia waters for inspection without probable cause and the measure attempts to curbs the powers of some overzealous rangers. 
 
"I have heard from people all over the state who enjoy our lakes and rivers and are responsible boat operators but are being harassed by some overzealous rangers," said Rep. Shaw, the sponsor of HB 1185. "This bill will help curb those abuses and still allow officers to board commercial boats and saltwater boats without probable cause, which is good for law enforcement." 
 
Rep. Shaw, a lawmaker since 1994, is Vice Chair of the Banks and Banking Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Rules and Special Policy committees. 
 
# # # For further information, contact Rep. Shaw @ 404-656-5146.