MRAA government relations manager Adam Fortier-Brown recently wrote an op-ed published in the Portland Press Herald on the importance of pre-disaster funding for small businesses, and the Great American Outdoors Act.   “This pandemic is one without modern precedent, but one we still could have better prepared for. … Historically, the U.S. has not emphasized […]

On Friday, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross met with recreational fishing and boating industry leaders at Maverick Boat Group, Inc. in Fort Pierce, Fla., to discuss marine recreational fishing access and the importance of marine recreation to the U.S. economy. Following a tour of the manufacturing facility, Secretary Ross indicated good news is ahead for […]

WASHINGTON, DC — On the evening of May 15, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their $3 trillion coronavirus relief package, the HEROES Act, mostly along party lines with 14 Democratic defections and a handful of Republicans backing the legislation. The Republican controlled Senate is not expected to consider the measure.    This messaging bill […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 6, 2020 – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a letter today signed by 29 national outdoor recreation trade associations – including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) – supporting over 100,000 businesses, urging Congress to pass the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). This legislation would fully fund the Land […]

On Saturday, April 18, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers will be allowed to open for personal use as long as strict social distancing and sanitation protocols are followed. Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, […]

On April 21, The U.S. Senate reached a deal on a $484 billion funding package, to expand the popular Paycheck Protection Program, and increase funding for U.S. health systems, and expand COVID-19 testing and contract tracing capabilities. The funding package will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives, and is expected to receive a […]

MRAA’s Advocacy team is calling on all state Governors to adopt the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines on identification of critical infrastructure businesses and employees, which includes marinas, and repair and maintenance facilities. Many states have issued shelter at home policies to limit public movement to fight the spread […]

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor announced they will be hosting a national online dialogue to provide employers and employees with an opportunity to offer their perspective on compliance and implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This bill, signed into law last week, provides paid sick leave, free COVID-19 […]

This morning the U.S. Congress is finalizing their $2-trillion economic relief package for businesses to address the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic on small businesses and their employees’ financial stability. MRAA, along with NMMA, and Association of Marina Industries (AMI), actively engaged with leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate throughout […]

Recreational fishing and boating groups applaud new bipartisan law Following vocal support from recreational fishermen, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed a bipartisan bill improving menhaden management in the Atlantic. The legislation transfers management authority of Atlantic menhaden—a small oily baitfish that feeds sportfish like striped bass—to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which oversees every other […]