The bill, championed by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) addresses two of the community’s top priorities. Of particular importance to the recreational fishing and boating community are provisions to prevent unnecessary fishing closures in Biscayne National Park, and to further ensure conservation of billfish populations. The issue was a key focus of […]

The visit was in conjunction with the American Boating Congress, an annual event hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association intended to unify the public policy voice of the pleasure boating sector. Randy joined the largest contingent of boating advocates in years on Capitol Hill for three days of congressional meetings, industry updates and strategic […]

The new National Recreational Boating Safety plan will take effect in 2017 and remain in place through 2021. Comments must be submitted before April 20, 2016. All comments on the Coast Guard’s National Recreational Boating Safety Program must be submitted using the online docket: http://www.regulations.gov  Comments can be submitted anonymously 

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, […]