A significant Oversight Hearing was held today by the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule. The hearing addressed the potential impact of the proposed rule on both marine wildlife and the recreational marine industry. The […]
Tag: Legislative Updates
Minnesota Passes Landmark Mandatory Boater Education Legislation
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, May, 31 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) celebrates the successful passage of Mandatory Boater Education Legislation in its home state of Minnesota. This landmark legislation marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of boaters and all who enjoy aquatic recreation throughout the Land of 10,000 […]
Minnesota Passes Mandatory Boater Education Legislation
Program to equip boaters with the knowledge and skills to create safer waterways A bill, establishing a new Mandatory Boater Education Program, has been passed in Minnesota. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) is delighted to celebrate the passage because a similar effort failed in the final hours in Minnesota’s 2022 legislative session. […]
MRAA, Dealers Share Concerns at American Boating Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2023 – Last week, the recreational boating industry, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, visited Washington, D.C., for the annual American Boating Congress (ABC) hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. MRAA staff, members of the MRAA Board of Directors and several MRAA members brought marine industry issues to […]
A New Restriction May be on the Horizon for Gulf Coast Boating: Petition to Establish Rice’s Whale Vessel Speed Zone
Impediments to boating access, in the forms of mandatory speed zones or restrictions on boat type or activity, stand to have a major impact on your business by either keeping boaters off the water or disincentivizing folks from buying boats. As the proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, which would mandate a 10-knot speed restriction […]
Menhaden Agreement Between Omega Protein, Virginia Falls Short
Members of the recreational fishing and conservation community focus on next steps to conserve the Bay as purse seine sector celebrates toothless memorandum of understanding FORT MONROE, VA, May 3, 2023 – A recently signed agreement to address the impacts of industrial menhaden harvest in the Chesapeake Bay falls short of limiting real damage inflicted […]
MRAA, MTAs Seek Monitoring Technology to Counter Right Whale Rule
With the support of 17 state and national marine trades associations, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas submitted a letter to members of the House and Senate Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) to stall proposed changes to the onerous Right Whale Rule. MRAA and its MTA colleagues asked Committee members […]
Legislation Could Boost Economy; Help More Americans Access Outdoor Recreation
The reintroduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act in the 118th Congress boosts local and national economies and gives more Americans — especially those in underserved areas — greater access to green spaces, public lands and waters while not costing taxpayers money to implement.
2022 Florida Boating Safety Act Means Changes for Your Business
Beginning on January 1, 2023, Boat Rental Operators, or Liveries, in Florida have been required to obtain annual permits as well as have valid insurance for both the business operations and for their customer, the renter. This new requirement was included in the Florida Boating Safety Act of 2022, Sponsored by Senator Ileana Garcia (Miami) […]
U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss Visits Discover Boating New England Boat Show
U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) visited the New England Boat Show Thursday, Feb. 16, touring the show with NMMA Vice President of Northeast Boat Shows Jon Pritko and MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons. During the visit the importance the recreational boating industry plays in New England was discussed. The economic impact in New England is […]
