To continue to expand its involvement with policy related to fishing, natural resource conservation and access, the MRAA joined the Great Lakes Conservation Coalition and the Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife. These partnerships align with MRAA’s 2021 policy priorities and assure that we are expanding our involvement for the benefit of our members and […]
Tag: Legislative Updates
Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Task Force Finalizes Recommendations
After a year of deliberations and public input, the 21-member Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Task Force – which includes Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas – held their final meeting on March 24, 2021, where they finalized recommendations to enhance outdoor recreation in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner […]
MRAA Board Member, Joe Lewis, Wins Boat PAC Award
MRAA Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer of the board, Joe Lewis, was honored with the BoatPAC The Champions for Growth Award during the 2021 American Boating Congress to recognize his continued involvement with the Boat PAC. Lewis, who is the owner of Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina in Mount Dora, Fla., has been a staunch […]
Mandatory Engine Cut-Off Device Legislation Reminder
April 1, 2021, the United States Coast Guard implemented regulations requiring that certain boats have mandatory engine cut-off devices. This regulation requires that operators of vessels less than 26 feet in length, with open-helm stations, must wear a link that shuts off the engine in the event an operator is ejected from the vessel or […]
Right to Repair Fight Continues
MRAA and our coalition partners are continuing to push back against Right to Repair legislation that surfaces throughout the country, as this presents a serious risk to boat users who may have had their engine improperly modified or repaired. MRAA is currently monitoring and pushing back against Delaware House Bill 22 which would require manufacturers […]
MRAA Board of Directors Outline 2021 Advocacy Priorities
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Board of Directors unanimously approved the adoption of the association’s 2021 advocacy priorities. The priorities were put together through responses to an industry-wide dealership survey where respondents ranked issues from most to least important. The responses were tabulated and the final recommendation was put together by MRAA’s Advocacy […]
Mandatory Engine Cut-Off Device Legislation Set to Take Effect April 1
On April 1, operators of most vessels under 26 feet long will be required to wear an engine cut-off device while the boat is underway. This measure builds upon steps taken in 2018 to require boat manufacturers to install these devices on most vessels under 26 feet. Operators of boats with above 3HP engines attached, […]
MRAA Outlines PPP Taxability Fixes to State Legislators
Last week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas submitted letters signed by recreational boating and recreational vehicle (RV) industry organizations to 15 state legislatures urging them to come into conformity with federal tax guidance on forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to ensure that small businesses would not face unnecessary, and unexpected, tax […]
Biden Admin. Targets Smallest Businesses, Self Employed with Newest PPP Guidance
The Biden administration announced new guidance on Monday to target aid to the smallest employers in the nation by granting qualifying businesses exclusive access to PPP for fourteen days beginning on March 9. To be granted access, businesses with fewer than 20 employees will be given exclusive access for fourteen days. The Small Business Administration […]
Department of Interior Ensures Key Conservation Fund Benefits Boaters
MINNEAPOLIS — Feb.19, 2021 — Last week, the Department of the Interior released an order stating that it will reduce restrictions on the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that were implemented in November, a move applauded by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the outdoor recreation community. The LWCF was strengthened by the […]
