The AustinBlu Foundation worked with Florida state legislators to get a permanent bill passed that discounts boat registration fees by 25% each year for owners who have a registered Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Florida Beacon Bill (HB711)

The State of Florida passed the Beacon Bill (HB711) which reduces Florida state vessel registration fees for recreational vessels which are equipped with an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) by 25% each year. In order to qualify, the 406 MHz EPIRB or PLB must be properly registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and proof of the beacon registration must be provided in person at your local Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle office. For more information, please visit the Vessels EPIRB and PLB Incentives page on the Florida HSMV website.

Boat owners must go visit a tax collector or license plate agent office and provide documentation that the EPIRB or PLB is registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at the time of registration.  A customer who owns more than one recreational vessel with an EPIRB will receive the fee reduction when registering each vessel with the EPIRB.  A customer who owns more than one recreational vessel who owns a PLB will receive the fee reduction for only one vessel.

Boats between 26 feet to less than 40 feet will save almost $21 in registration fees per year, boats 40 to 65 feet will save on average $33 in registration fees per year.  That can account for almost 1/3rd of the cost of the beacon itself over a 5 year period making it much more affordable to outfit your boat with this essential boating safety gear.