Quote Originally Posted by MagikSmallie View Post
Just got wind of this, apparently this a new law that went into effect this month, called the Boater Freedom Act, for the State of KY.


SB 66: Known as the "Boater Freedom Act," this law will require boating enforcement officers to have a reasonable suspicion of violation of the state's boating laws before boarding and inspecting a boat on state waterways.

Sounds good to me! the 4th amendment applies everywhere.
A reasonable suspicion of a violation is much different than the open checks performed in the past. All they had to do is see rods on the boat to assume you were fishing in the past. Now, having rods on the boat or actually fishing does not introduce a reasonable suspicion of a violation. Seeing you put a legal fish in the box does not introduce a reasonable suspicion of a violation. They would need to see a suspect size or watch you put too many any before there is a reasonable suspicion. I suppose they could hang out at cleaning stations.

Most do not realize that this is yet another reduction in water patrol powers in just the last few years and the last power removed was the ability to enforce the open container law. They can use the visual of an open container to check for BUI only.

I really don't know if I care for this change. We all want people who violate our size and creel laws caught and dealt with, we just do not want to be the ones bothered with being checked.