Legislation that began in Florida as H.B. 4001 and sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) was signed by Governor Rich Scott (R) on May 31. The new law repeals a five-year old statue requiring all state service stations to sell gasoline containing an established percentage of ethanol. “The law, which fined retailers for not selling […]

The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing on February 26 titled, “Mid-level Ethanol Blends: Consumer and Technical Research Needs.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the scientific, technical, and consumer impacts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow the introduction of mid-level ethanol blends (E15) on […]

Subsequent to the Environment Subcommittee hearing on mid-level ethanol blends, MRAA sent a letter to Rep. Chris Stewart, Chairman of the Subcommittee asking Congress to intercede with the EPA to prevent the sale of E15 gasoline blends until proper research has been completed to ensure the protection of boating consumers. MRAA told the Subcommittee Chairman […]

On February 14, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced, S. 344, a bill to prohibit the EPA from approving the introduction of gasoline that contains greater than 10 per cent ethanol. The bill has three co-sponsors. The key to the Wicker bill is that it would nullify any EPA granted waiver to mitigate mis-fueling. On February […]

As an update to our ongoing watch about the estate tax, Senator Thune (R-South Dakota) has postponed his bill until next week to repeal the Death Tax. We will continue to look for the introduction of this important bill. In the mean time, the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC), which the Marine Retailers Association […]

Both the House and the Senate have introduced bills to address the growing problem of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins and tributaries. These invasive species threaten ecosystems and billions of dollars of economic activities connected to outdoor recreation in states throughout the Midwest. You can view the bills at […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, January 3, the 113th Congress was gaveled into session with great hope for reduced polarization and paralysis, but with no real evidence that they’ll lift anytime soon. Some say the worst is yet to come, but others point to the bi-partisan support of H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, January 2, 2013, the 112th Congress of the United States finally ended. Many may think the slow rate of legislating is a good thing, but for the record, the 112th Congress was the most unproductive Congress since 1948, when President Truman called Congress the “Do Nothing.” Congress passed only 220 […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The events and negotiations leading to passage of key legislation averting the so-called Fiscal Cliff were the big story on Capitol Hill this year. The House of Representatives passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act, H.R. 8, 257 to 167. The U.S. Senate passed it 89 to 7 earlier the same day. Many […]

The link below will take you to a copy of the newly passed H.R. 8 that extends certain Bush-era tax benefits and establishes a new high end tax rate of 39.6 percent for earners with annual gross income exceeding $1 million. Other issues addressed are the re-authorization of the estate tax with a $5 million […]