Alabama Senate Pass Bill to Stop Police From Conducting Boat Safety Inspections
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
February 27, 2026
MONTGOMERY Ala. A new bill may soon become law in Alabama that blocks law enforcement from conducting any type of boat safety inspections on the waters of the state.
The bill introduced 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 bill was introduced after complaints were made last year by boaters in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach areas and Stringer and several of his colleagues put the bill together to prevent this from happening any further.
“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.
Police need probable cause, like a traffic infraction before they can stop a vehicle on the roadway, and it should be the same for boaters on the water.
If Marine police observe a boat being operated reckless or have reasonable suspicion that the operator might be intoxicated, police would then be able to stop the vessel and conduct their investigation.
“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 said. Stringer is also a law enforcement officer.
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.”
If signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, the new law goes into effect on June 1.
However, even if the bill is signed into law, it would not stop the U.S. Coast Guard from conducting boat inspections along the Gulf Coast or on any other navigable bodies of water within Alabama.
The USCG enforces federal laws and operate under a separate guideline and regulations.
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