Member Advisory: March 7, 2011

Membership Advisory

Senate Passes Wallop-Breaux Extension

March 7, 2011 ~ On Thursday evening, March 3, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to extend the vital Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Safety Trust Fund for seven months or until the end of the federal fiscal year of September 30, 2011. The measure now heads to the President for his expected signature. The Senate cleared the bill, H.R. 662, by voice vote after the House of Representatives passed it on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are pleased the bill passed the House and Senate ensuring funding at 2010 and 2009 levels for important fish hatcheries, boating safety education and law enforcement, pump outs, boat access ramp construction, and outreach programs,” said Dave Foulkrod, MRAA Chairman.

This is the seventh short-term extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act, a Legacy for Users, known as SAFETEA-LU, but the section important to anglers and boaters has been known as Wallop-Breaux for many years.