Tag: Legislative Updates

MRAA Opposes the Boat Occupancy and Teaching Act

Reacting to a recent boating accident in New York, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced H.R. 4642, the Boat Occupancy and Teaching Act, May 20. There are no co-sponsors and no action is currently being considered. The bill has been referred to three House committees: Transportation, Ways and Means and Natural Resources. H.R. 4642 would require […]

President Signs WRRDA Into Law

Today, President Obama signed H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Research and Development Act, into law. The WRRDA conference report was originally presented to the President for signature June 3. President Obama had 10 days to sign or veto the act, and on Tuesday, June 10 he officially signed WRRDA into law. After months of negotiating, […]

Stop Taxpayer Support for Ethanol

Since the creation of the domestic market for corn-based ethanol as an additive for gasoline, the federal government has nurtured and maintained the ethanol industry with a steady stream of subsidies. Originally sold as a way to achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ethanol has been a favorite issue of lawmakers. Ethanol producers […]

Ethanol Worse for Environment Than Gasoline, Study Says

A new University of Nebraska study released April 20 in a publication called Nature Climate Change says eliminating ethanol as a biofuel can actually decrease soil organic carbon. The study claims cellulosic biofuels like ethanol actually generate more greenhouse gases than gasoline. As expected, the biofuel industry is speaking out against the Nebraska study, calling […]

Bush Tax Cut Extensions Likely to Progress in Senate

The U.S. Senate voted 96-3 to open debate on a bill that will renew several tax breaks known as the Bush Tax Cuts, first passed in 2008 to help stimulate the economy. Several issues important to marine retailers are included in the tax-extender package, including a return to the $5 million exemption for the estate […]

USFWS Announces $14.27M in BIG Projects

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service gave recreational boaters and anglers good news May 9 when it announced program competitive grants totaling $14.27 million to 10 states and Washington, D.C. from the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program. The Service also will provide $2.48 million to 27 states willing to match smaller, non-competitive grants. These funds […]

ABC Set for May 5-7 in Washington, D.C.

The American Boating Congress (ABC) is the industry’s annual legislative conference that brings recreational boating leaders to our nation’s capital to formulate public policy and present a unified front on issues that impact the health and profitability of marine businesses. This year, 38 organizations are endorsing ABC as co-hosts – including the Marine Retailers Association […]

MRAA Opposes E-15

Increasing ethanol content in gasoline is bad for boats and the boating business. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) opposes attempts to increase the Renewable Fuel Standard, which would enable the level of ethanol in gasoline to reach 15 percent (E-15) or higher, and asks Congress to support legislation reducing the ethanol content […]