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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act) (H.R. 5126/S. 2960) was signed into law January 13. The bipartisan law requires recreational (including charter boats) and commercial fishermen to have on board a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use while […]

As state legislatures begin their new sessions in the coming weeks, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), are engaging with policy makers
 on key issues including wake surfing access. There have been four states that have proposed legislation that would restrict […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  January 29, 2021 — In response to President Joe Biden’s January 21 executive order on worker health and safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new recommendations and mandatory safety and health standards for employers. These recommendations create no new legal obligations for employers. The executive order also tasks OSHA […]

      Source: David Maiolo   WASHINGTON DC – December 21, 2020 – Today, Congress unveiled text for its long-awaited $2.5 trillion COVID-19 stimulus and year-end spending package, the second largest bill in U.S. history, and clearing a path for passage sometime late Monday evening after midnight.   The 5,593-page package includes a $1.4 […]

After weeks of negotiations, the top four congressional leaders are looking like they could unveil a COVID-19 relief package later today, the most significant breakthrough in nearly eight months since the CARES Act was passed. This package would include several items important to the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas membership and the marine industry […]

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, including a number of priorities for the recreational boating industry. The package is expected to pass the U.S. Senate in before the end of the month. “Boating and fishing was the most popular outdoor recreation activity in the nation […]