The Enhanced Marine Law Enforcement Grant (EMLEG) program provides funds to local police agencies and organizations to enhance marine law enforcement and improve boating safety in Broward County.
It is funded by a 50 percent increase in vessel registration fees approved by the County Commission under the Local Option Vessel Registration Fee provisions of the Florida State Statutes. The funds are collected by Broward County, with one dollar for each vessel registered sent to the State for manatee protection. The balance of the funds is kept in Broward County until it is distributed to fund the EMLEG program.
The Parks and Recreation Division acts as the County Liaison and is responsible for the administration of this program in conjunction with the Broward County Marine Advisory Committee (MAC). The annual allocations for this program are approximately $700,000. Since its inception, the MAC has recommended $13.3 million for enhanced marine law enforcement and boating safety projects.
