Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced H.R. 3109, the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act of 2012, along with 17 original co-sponsors late in 2011. The bill is very similar to one introduced by Rep. Pingree two years ago, which had the support of several national and state marine trades associations, including MRAA. MRAA has joined a […]

In an unprecedented effort to sustain commercial and recreational fishing in the next several decades, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration set the world’s first catch limits for every species of marine animal it manages from Alaska Polluck to Caribbean conch making an important shift in public policy that could easily impact recreational fishing and […]

In 2009, after a long fought battle by a coalition of recreational boating trade groups, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act was successfully amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to exclude certain additional recreational vessel yard workers from the federal law’s definition of “employee” as it related to repair and […]

The following will link you to a newsletter from the American Recreation Coalition. You will note that the newsletter says the Speaker has pulled H.R. 7, the Highway Bill, from the House floor because the President has threatened a veto.February 2012 ARC Newsletter Larry InnisMRAA Legislative Affairs

I attended a briefing this afternoon on the upcoming case the Supreme Court will hold, which may repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act. Many small businesses and marine retailers are very concerned about the cost (affordability) of the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare). From March 26 to 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court […]

The link below will take you to a brief article by The Huffington Post on the current status of the House Transportation Bill, and it sites several political reasons for the delay in the floor vote. It now appears Republicans will muster enough votes to bring the bill to the floor in late February. The […]

The following is an article from the Annapolis Capital newspaper about a proposal to raise boat registration fees in the state of Maryland. Registration would be for two years, and you can see the level of payment by size of boat. State proposes hiking boat fees Larry InnisMRAA Legislative Affairs

The following includes a brief report from the Republican Policy Committee on the implementation of the new health care law, which is commonly being called Obamacare. It is political, but I thought you would find it a good read.  As the statement says, small businesses, including many marine retailers, want the law repealed. White House […]

As you will see from the Minority Whip’s Schedule, The House will begin debate tomorrow on H.R. 7, the Transportation Bill. As a reminder the House Bill contains important language unfreezing the funds from the Harbor Maintenance Fund needed for dredging and re-authorization of the old Wallop-Breaux.   Larry InnisMRAA Legislative Affairs

Since we have been working hard on the passage of H.R. 7, I thought you may want to read the very brief budget impact, as prepared by the Congressional Budget Office. This budget impact report is a necessary effort prior to a bill going to the House floor for a vote. We are now expecting […]