Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, on June 12, 2023, signed SB 418 repealing insurance requirements for boat liveries and absolves them from purchasing insurance to cover rental customers. This is a victory for Florida boat dealers. During the 2022 legislative session, the 2022 Florida Boating Safety Act (HB 493) passed, requiring boat rental facilities to insure […]
Tag: chad tokowicz
Oversight Hearing on NOAA’s Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule
A significant Oversight Hearing was held today by the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule. The hearing addressed the potential impact of the proposed rule on both marine wildlife and the recreational marine industry. The […]
Minnesota Passes Landmark Mandatory Boater Education Legislation
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, May, 31 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) celebrates the successful passage of Mandatory Boater Education Legislation in its home state of Minnesota. This landmark legislation marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of boaters and all who enjoy aquatic recreation throughout the Land of 10,000 […]
Minnesota Passes Mandatory Boater Education Legislation
Program to equip boaters with the knowledge and skills to create safer waterways A bill, establishing a new Mandatory Boater Education Program, has been passed in Minnesota. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) is delighted to celebrate the passage because a similar effort failed in the final hours in Minnesota’s 2022 legislative session. […]
MRAA, MTAs Seek Monitoring Technology to Counter Right Whale Rule
With the support of 17 state and national marine trades associations, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas submitted a letter to members of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) to stall proposed changes to the onerous Right Whale Rule. MRAA and its MTA colleagues asked Committee members […]
Legislation Could Boost Economy; Help More Americans Access Outdoor Recreation
The reintroduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act in the 118th Congress boosts local and national economies and gives more Americans — especially those in underserved areas — greater access to green spaces, public lands and waters while not costing taxpayers money to implement.
MRAA Board of Directors Announces 2023 Advocacy Priorities
MINNEAPOLIS, January 27 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ Board of Directors announces its 2023 legislative and regulatory advocacy priorities as recommended to them by the Advisory Council of Marine Associations’ (ACMA). ACMA, an integral part of the MRAA’s advocacy efforts, was created to advise the MRAA on its annual policy agenda and […]
Proposed Vessel Speed Rule Will Hamper Recreation, Do Little for Right Whale
• Recreational boating and fishing community submit comment, ask NOAA to pause rule WASHINGTON, D.C., October 7, 2022 — Monday, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and other leading organizations representing recreational fishing and boating in the United States urged the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to pause its proposed North Atlantic Right Whale […]
Proposed Right Whale Rule Would Have Major Impact on East Coast Boating and Fishing
August 1, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released a proposed rule to put in place additional vessel speed regulations to further protect North Atlantic right whales. The proposed rule would change the spatial and temporal boundaries of the speed reduction zones and include most vessels greater than or equal to 35 feet and less […]
MRAA Supports Bipartisan Youth Fishing Legislation
WASHINGTON D.C., September 2022 — Congress introduced the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022 last week that would create opportunities for kids in underserved communities to get on the water. The bill was introduced in both the House and Senate September 22, and is supported broadly by the outdoor recreation community and members on […]
