MONTGOMERY — Members of the Alabama Senate passed legislation on Thursday blocking law enforcement from boarding boats for safety inspections.
The bill by State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping or boarding vessels for safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections. The bill has already passed the House.
"The intent of this bill is to protect the constitutional rights of boaters who are randomly singled out for inspections without probable cause while, at the same time, providing law enforcement officers with clear and consistent standards to follow," Stringer said. "Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch was instrumental in working with me on this legislation, and he understands the importance of protecting the rights of the citizens we both swore an oath to serve."
Stringer, who is a career law enforcement officer, said LEOs may not stop and inspect automobiles traveling on roadways without probable cause, and this legislation extends that same standard to the state's waterways.
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) carried HB254 to final passage in the Senate and said random inspections are often a nuisance for his constituents.
"When a family is boating to a restaurant or simply enjoying the waters in our area, they should not have to worry about being stopped, boarded, and delayed for no real reason beyond a random inspection," Elliott said. "Just like Rep. Stringer, I strongly support our officers and the work they do to protect our communities, but I have a duty to protect my constituents from easily avoidable annoyances and inconveniences."
Baldwin and Mobile County officials met with ALEA last May to discuss complaints about the ALEA Marine Patrol.
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon told 1819 News he supported the legislation.
"I'm 100% behind it. The safety checks have been absolutely abused and used as an excuse, and you know, as far as I'm concerned, it's unconstitutional," Kennon said. "I think it's a culmination of all of us getting, just being overwhelmed with complaints and tired of it, and as I look back on it, it was absolutely absurd that it was ever happening to begin with. I mean, it was pure, as far as I'm concerned, it was just pure harassment."
If signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, the new law goes into effect on June 1.
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