Tag: Legislative Updates

Florida Governor Signs Boat Titling Bill into Law

Earlier this month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the Uniform Certificate of Title Act (HB 475/S 676). MRAA, along with other industry partners, has actively advocated in favor of this top recreational boating industry priority. Titling is considered a vital tool in the effort to protect consumers from buying damaged, destroyed, or stolen […]

ORR Members to Testify Before U.S. Trade Representative; Oppose Tariffs that will Hurt Outdoor Rec.

Members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) will make their case before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), and describe just how proposed Section 301 tariffs will hurt the outdoor recreation industry and American consumers. Tom Cove (President and CEO, Sports and Fitness Industry Association), Glenn Hughes (President, American Sportfishing Association), Scott Schloegel […]

June is Great Outdoors Month!

The weather is warming up and that means summer vacation is right around the corner. Great Outdoors Month® 2019 is a great way to experience healthy, active outdoor family fun in your great outdoors! Public and private organizations from across the country are coming together as members of the Great Outdoors Month® Council to help […]

EPA Approves Year- Round E15 Sales, Industry Opposes

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency approved a rule allowing the year-round sale of fuel with 15-percent ethanol. Through its voice at the American Boating Congress and through numerous other avenues, the MRAA along with its coalition partners voiced opposition to this effort. The MRAA believes that poor execution of ethanol-related warning labels at gas […]

SOAR Act Introduced in Congress

Bill would simplify permitting processes for outdoor guides and outfitters. Americans’ ability to participate in outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters took a major step forward this week with the introduction of the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act by Senators Martin Heinrich (D, NM) and Shelley Moore Capito (R, WV). This […]

Op-Ed: National Infrastructure Conversation Must Include Recreation

This op-ed originally appeared in the May 16th edition of The Hill. Jessica Wahl is executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations working to promote the policy and legislative reforms needed to enhance the outdoor recreation economy. MRAA is a founding member of the […]

Tell Congress: Educate Consumers on E15

Most consumers are unaware of the dangers posed by fuels with high levels of ethanol, like E15. Small engines, like those in boats, lawn mowers, and motorcycles can only use fuel with 10% ethanol or lower. Using E15 in these engines destroys them and voids their warranty. Plus, E15 is federally prohibited from use in […]

Canada Repeals Tariffs on Marine Products

Last summer the Canadian government levied a 10 percent tariffs on U.S.-built boats, causing severe disruptions for US boat builders and their Canadian dealers. According to the Government of Canada, effective April 30, 2019, all retaliatory tariffs on U.S. recreational boats entering Canada have been removed, marking the most positive development for our industry since […]

MRAA Member Testifies in Support of Minnesota Recreation Office

On Monday, May 6th MRAA member John Wooden of River Valley Marine testified in the Minnesota House of Representatives Government Operations Committee in support of HF 2864, a bill that will create a Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office. Wooden highlighted the economic impact of boating and other forms of recreation in the state, citing a report […]

MRAA Joins Center for Sportfishing Policy Membership

The Marine Retailers Associations is honored to announce that the association has joined the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) membership. We look forward to supporting CSP and working together to maximize opportunity for saltwater recreational anglers and the industry, as a whole. “MRAA has always recognized the significance of recreational saltwater fishing to the marine […]