• BoatUS Foundation and United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Toolkit Despite the recreational boating season beginning to wind down, the safety of your customers and others on the water should still be of the utmost importance. Boating Education — Boater Safety As summer begins to change into fall, colder water and changing weather patterns […]
Tag: MRAA government relations
Recreational Marine Industry Wins in the Big Beautiful Bill
Among the wide range of provisions tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), some will have a positive impact on the recreational marine industry — from tax policy to workforce development. Here are four important provisions the MRAA supported. 1. Qualified Business Income Deduction The 199A Qualified Business Income deduction — set to […]
No Boat Tax Increase in New Jersey
• Strong Advocacy Efforts Lead to Boater Victory in Garden State In late June, Governor Murphy officially signed the 2026 New Jersey State Budget, keeping the boat tax unchanged. The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey exemplifies how vital state marine trades associations are in advocating for our industry. Their efforts highlight the importance of […]
How Tariffs Are Rocking the Boat
• A Q&A with Rick’s Small Sailboats, Florida-Based Dealer and MRAA Bronze Member By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager Rick Upson started his dealership, Rick’s Small Sailboats, with a simple goal: to share his love of sailing and help more people experience the joy of being on the water. Working solo from his home […]
Coast Guard Reports Fewest Boating Fatalities in More Than 50 Years
• 2024 United States Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics Report Overview By Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the United States Coast Guard released its annual Recreational Boating Statistics report for 2024, marking the 66th edition of this comprehensive analysis. This report is a vital resource for understanding the current […]
South Carolina’s Boat Tax Reform: A Victory for Boaters, Dealers and the Marine Industry
There is big news coming from South Carolina, as the state is one step closer to cutting the nation’s highest boat property tax. With an overwhelming 89-7 vote in the South Carolina House of Representatives, this reform effort has picked up serious momentum — and it’s a major victory for boaters, dealers and the entire […]
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements Removed
• Marine Retailers Exempt from Burdensome Regulations WASHINGTON, April 1, 2025 – The Marine Retailers Association of the America (MRAA) announced today that on March 21, 2025 the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an interim final rule which removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to […]
MRAA Participates in Small Business Legislative Council Fly-in
• MRAA Government Relations Team Meets with White House and Congressional Leadership WASHINGTON, March 24, 2025 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) Government Relations Team recently participated in the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) fly-in in Washington to discuss small business issues impacting recreational boat dealers and potential regulatory hurdles in the […]
Supreme Court Ruling Adds to Corporate Transparency Act Confusion, but Filing Requirements Remain on Hold
On Jan. 23, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the government’s motion to lift a nationwide injunction issued in the case Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. McHenry. What You Need to KnowWhile this ruling could have potentially reinstated Corporate Transparency Act filing requirements, a separate ruling in Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury continues […]
Advisory Council of Marine Associations Approves New Coalition Agreement
WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2025) — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announced today that the Advisory Council of Marine Associations (ACMA) approved a new Coalition Agreement, establishing a set of principles to which members of the coalition will adhere. ACMA comprises both state and national marine trades associations, and the newly approved agreement […]
