The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association applauds Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature for the inclusion in the final version of the FY2013 state budget of a practical, business-friendly provision that allows the use of one license plate on any trailer owned by a boat builder or repairer transporting vessels on public ways. Introduced during the House budget debate by State Representative Daniel Winslow, this common sense amendment was also embraced by the Senate under the leadership of Senators Anthony Petruccelli, Bruce Tarr , Daniel Wolf and ultimately by Governor Patrick and Registrar Rachel Kaprelian.
Prior to the Trailer Amendment being signed into law, marine businesses were required to register every trailer used to transport boats on public ways. This costly, duplicative process was detrimental to boating businesses statewide, the majority of which are small, family-owned operations. Thanks to the collective efforts of state leaders, those in the business of building and repairing boats in Massachusetts have one less financial hurdle to overcome as they endeavor to continue operating in the most challenging economic environment in recent history.
Going forward, boat builders and repairers will be relieved of registering multiple trailers and instead be allowed to maintain one transferrable plate. “The Trailer Amendment is a terrific example of what can be accomplished by our elected officials when partisanship is set aside and a common sense approach is applied for the common good. Massachusetts marine businesses confront the everyday reality of being surrounded by the extremely boat-tax friendly states of Maine, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Any relief is deeply appreciated by the Commonwealth’s boating industry,” stated Jack Kent III, President of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association.
The mission of the MMTA is to advance the marine trades and the interests of the boating public by participating in the legislative process and providing and advocating for professional improvement and educational programs. For more information, visit www.boatma.com.
SOURCE: Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, July 9, 2012