The Advisory Council of Marine Associations (ACMA) is set to meet during the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo (MDCE) in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 11-14. ACMA is a group of marine trades associations that serves as the MRAA Legislative Committee and advises the MRAA Board of Directors through its resolutions about legislative issues and strategies.              

The ACMA reviews MRAA and state legislative activities for the current year and discusses potential issues coming up in the next year. Because of the importance of 2012 as a presidential election year, ACMA will also look at the results of the elections in state governments, Congress, and the White House.           

Important issues ACMA may consider include the Bush tax cuts (sales tax deduction and estate tax repeal) and the economic impact of the Congressional action on the fiscal cliff issue, ethanol, the second home mortgage deduction, efforts in Congress to reduce red tape and reduce regulations of small business, re-authorization of the Sport Fish and Boating Trust Fund, adult lifejacket wear requirements, dredging, and working waterfronts.