Tag: Legislative Updates

Dealer Week BoatPAC Reception Recap

At MRAA’s Dealer Week, there is no shortage of learning opportunities and events to keep you busy. And that was especially true this past December at our inaugural stop in Austin, where there was even more to do in the name of exploring. Austin, known as the live music capital of the world, played an […]

Indiana Wakesurfing Bill Advances to House

Indiana Senate Bill Supported by Boating Industry Indiana’s Senate Bill 187 (SB 187), introduced by Senator Susan Glick (R-13), passed in the state Senate last week with a vote of 40-6. SB 187 has the broad support of the recreational boating industry, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) and […]

Final Washington State Marine Excise Tax Reflects Input from Boating Industry

WASHINGTON, DC, November 11, 2021 — After numerous hearings and constant input from the recreational boating industry, the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) finalized the watercraft excise tax depreciation schedule. Approved October 21, the Final DOR Rule, which reflected input from marine industry stakeholders, ultimately places less of a financial burden on boat owners […]

2020 Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account Data Highlights Surge in Recreational Boating

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2021 — Today, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released economic data from the 2020 Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, which detailed the outdoor recreation economy’s powerful and positive impact on the overall U.S. economy. These new numbers found that outdoor recreation generated $689 billion in economic output in 2020 and […]

MRAA Joins Coalition; Submits Guidance to Biden Administration on ‘America the Beautiful’ Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C, October 28, 2021 – Earlier this month, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas joined 54 other members of the Hunt Fish 30×30 Coalition to submit a set of formal recommendations for the Biden Administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, also referred to as “Thirty by Thirty.” The recommendations highlight several priorities of the […]

2021-2022 Station Rules Expand Boating Opportunities on Hatcheries and Wildlife Refuges

The Fish and Wildlife Service recently finalized rules that would expand, fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and National Fish Hatcheries (NFH) throughout the country. These additional opportunities are celebrated by the recreational boating, fishing, and conservation community as they will create more opportunities for Americans to engage in their favorite […]

Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate, Budget Reconciliation to Follow

On Tuesday, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, H.R. 3864, by a vote of 69-30. This bill, totaling a $1 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure, includes many priorities and measures that will benefit the recreational boating industry. Just after passage, the Senate quickly shifted attention to the Budget Reconciliation process – […]

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Supports Boating, Help It Cross the Finish Line

WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2021 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas applauds the Senate for its work on the bipartisan infrastructure package that includes various priorities of the recreational boating industry. After weeks of negotiations between Senators and the White House, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is making its way to a […]

Small Business Administration Streamlines Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness with Direct Portal

In efforts to streamline Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness the Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a new portal which will allow borrowers to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA. The new forgiveness platform, which will go live on August 4th, 2021, was created to help small businesses get relief as fast as possible. […]

MRAA Member Testifies Before U.S. Congress, Asks for Passage of PREPARE Act

Marine Retailers Association of the Americas member Rick Chapman, General Manager of The Port of Sunnyside Club, Inc., testified this week before the Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations and advocated for the passage of the Providing Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Resilient Enterprises (PREPARE) Act. The hearing, titled “SBA’s Role in Climate […]