- Collection:
- Georgia Government Publications
- Serial:
- Press release.
- Title:
- Press release [Feb. 26, 2004C]
- Creator:
- Georgia. General Assembly. House. Public Information Office
- Contributor to Resource:
- Georgia. General Assembly. House. Public Information Office
- Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia. General Assembly. House. Public Information Office
- Date of Original:
- 2004-02-26
- Subject:
- Georgia
- Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- publications (documents)
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Open access; Unrestricted online access star GAGAL
July 29, 2002B; title from Georgia Government Publications citation, viewed September 19, 2007. - External Identifiers:
- Call Number GA L412 .P1 P7 2004/2-26C
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl412-b-pp1-bp7-b2004-s2-h26c-belec-p-btext
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bl412-b-pp1-bp7-b2004-s2-h26c-belec-p-btext
- Language:
- eng
- Holding Institution:
- University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library
- Rights:
-
House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
2-1985-5139
For Immediate Release:
February 26, 2004
Legislation Protecting Boaters Sails through House
Bill Requires Probable Cause Before Boarding Recreational Vessels
Atlanta Representatives Johnny Floyd (D-Cordele) 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. Floyd, one of the sponsors 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. Floyd, a lawmaker since 1989, Chairs the Banks and Banking Committee and serves on the Appropriations and Transportation committees.
# # #
For further information, contact Rep. Floyd @ 404-656-5943.