Funding for the initiative would ensure better assessment of the economic significance of programs and policies with the jurisdiction of the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. The letters voiced strong support for a recent statement issued by the Federal Recreation Council, which concluded ORSA would “directly and efficiently benefit both the private and public sectors, […]

1. To support and seek legislation to increase funding and awareness for vocational education, recognizing the marine industry’s shortage of qualified technicians across the country. 3. Communicate more frequently with state associations on legislative issues monitored at the national level, opportunities for public comment, and action alerts to share with MTA members.  5. Support actions […]

The following letter was sent Feb. 24 and jointly signed by The American Sportfishing Association, B.A.S.S, Izaak Walton League of America, The Nature Conservancy and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.  Dear Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio: As organizations representing a broad range of conservation, sportsmen and women, recreation, and outdoor industry interests, we are writing […]

The following post discussing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was originally published online by the Center for Regulatory Solutions and appears here with permission.  This week’s Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works oversight hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could prove uncomfortable for a number of Democratic members who have had a tough time dealing […]

Four of the boating industry’s most influential organizations were on Capitol Hill this week WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the Congressional Boating Caucus and their staff gathered this week for a briefing on the state of the nation’s recreational boating and fishing industries. Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association, joined with leaders of […]

To help you keep up with the 2016 election, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) government relations team has put together a new resource called Election Center 2016.  Another great resource the NMMA and MRAA government relations team wanted to share is a comprehensive calendar of primary and […]

Register for the 2016 American Boating Congress Now!  Paul Begala is a commentator for CNN, where he is part of the political team that has won both an “Emmy” and a “Peabody Award.” Begala was an advisory to President Clinton and in the 2012 campaign he was a senior adviser for the pro-Obama Super PAC, […]

The boating industry has long opposed ethanol mandates because of the impact higher ethanol levels could have on marine engines. The issue has become a top advocacy priority of both MRAA and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which recently merged political action committees. See how your congressional representatives voted on the 2005 “Ethanol Bill.”  Read […]

Federal Elections Committee grants final approval to merger of MRAA and NMMA political action committees WASHINGTON, DC — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the National Marine Manufacturers Association have merged their political action committees to form one voice for recreational boating on Capitol Hill.  BoatPAC, the recreational boating industry’s political action committee, […]

Via the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ):  The recreational boating industry in New Jersey was given a big boost this month when Governor Christie signed a new sales tax bill into law. The bill provides a partial exemption and maximum sales and use tax imposition amount for boats and vessels, as well as […]