August 1, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released a proposed rule to put in place additional vessel speed regulations to further protect North Atlantic right whales. The proposed rule would change the spatial and temporal boundaries of the speed reduction zones and include most vessels greater than or equal to 35 feet and less […]
Tag: Legislative Updates
MRAA Supports Bipartisan Youth Fishing Legislation
WASHINGTON D.C., September 2022 — Congress introduced the Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022 last week that would create opportunities for kids in underserved communities to get on the water. The bill was introduced in both the House and Senate September 22, and is supported broadly by the outdoor recreation community and members on […]
Cassidy, Daines Introduce Bill to Protect Use of Traditional Ammo, Tackle
[Supplied Release] WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and 21 colleagues today introduced the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which stops federal agencies from banning the use of traditional ammo or tackle on public lands without approval from scientific institutions and state wildlife agencies. Last week, the U.S. Fish […]
MRAA, RVDA Push Back Against Proposed FTC ‘Auto Rule’
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 14, 2022 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas collaborated with the RV Dealers Association, the National Powersports Dealer Association, a number of state-based marine trades associations, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy and more, to voice its opposition to the Federal Trade Commission’s recently proposed Auto Rule. As […]
Tokowicz, MRAA Advocacy Efforts Highlighted in ‘Boating Industry’ Magazine
As part of Boating Industry magazine’s report on sustainability within the marine industry, Associate Editor Jamie Stafford spoke with MRAA Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz. Under the header “Retailers” on page 24 of the August / September issue of the magazine, Chad shared the MRAA’s advocacy efforts and its approach to sustainability, conservation and legislative […]
New FTC Auto Rule: What Does It Mean for My Business?
By a 4-1 vote June 23, the FTC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking which if passed, will change the way you interact with your customers forever. The regulation, dubbed the “Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule” would apply to cars, boats, motorcycles, and RVs, and is primarily aimed at removing deception and other unfair […]
MMTA Workforce Solutions Amendment Passes in the 2023 MA State Budget
Randall Lyons, MMTA Release — FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS — Last week Governor Baker signed the 2023 state budget, which included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the successful initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made over the […]
Members of Congress Champion Marine Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C., June, 29, 2022 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that members of the U.S. House and Senate have stepped up and highlighted their support for the MRAA’s recent submission to the Apprenticeship Building America grant program hosted by the Department of Labor. Members of both chambers sent letters to […]
100 Percent of MRAA Board Contributes to BoatPAC
WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2022 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is proud to announce today that 100 percent of the MRAA Board of Directors has contributed to BoatPAC, the federal political action committee representing the recreational boating industry. The joint PAC fund of the MRAA, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and […]
New York State Passes Right to Repair; Exempts Marine Industry
ALBANY, N.Y. — June 22 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering have made immense progress in New York after meeting with Senator Breslin to inform him of the potential harms right to repair legislation could have on Marine and other off-road […]
