Ohio Boater Freedom Act sails through House

By Maggie Thurber | for Ohio Watchdog

I grew up sailing and racing sailboats on the western end of Lake Erie.  I’ve also done a considerable amount of recreational boating.  But in all the years on the water, I’ve never been on a boat that was stopped by local law enforcement for a safety check.

Maybe it’s just my good luck. Maybe it’s because I was in a sailboa. But plenty of boaters have been stopped over the years, some multiple times in the same day by different law enforcement jurisdictions, for a complimentary safety check.

Rep. Rex Damshroder says boaters, like vehicle operators, shouldn’t be subject to inspections without probable cause.

That’s what prompted State Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, to sponsor H.B. 29, the Boater Freedom Act.

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