Tag: Legislative Affairs

  • New Changes to American Boating Congress (ABC)

    From Soundings Trade Only: The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced changes to accommodate the growing event, which runs from May 11-13 this year. The welcome reception that was introduced last year will continue, but it will be held this year at the American Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian, with “full run of the second floor with… Continue reading

  • Boatyards Get Boost in Workers’ Comp Bill

    From the Sun-Sentinel – By William E. Gibson, Washington Bureau WASHINGTON — Smaller boatyards would save tens of thousands of dollars a year on workers’ compensation insurance under a bill passed by the U.S. House on Tuesday — a long-awaited boost for a big industry in Florida. Florida lawmakers led by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz pushed… Continue reading

  • President Obama Signs Dredging Legislation into Law

    President Obama signed bipartisan legislation this week acknowledging that recreational boating is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, according to BoatUS, which said it will work to implement the law. Obama signed the $12.3 billion 2013 Water Resources Reform and Development Act, or WRRDA, which passed the House and Senate earlier this month. The bill… Continue reading

  • Report: Industry Unhappy with Magnuson-Stevens Bill in House

    From Sounding’s Trade Only: The recreational fishing and boating community is expressing collective disappointment after a saltwater fishing bill in the U.S. House of Representatives failed to address the community’s top priorities. A reauthorization bill for the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act — the primary law governing U.S. marine fisheries management — did not… Continue reading

  • American Boating Congress Releases Agenda

    From Soundings Trade Only: The finalized American Boating Congress agenda and speaker lineup were released for the event, which will take place May 5-7 in Washington, D.C. Prominent speakers addressing areas of interest for the U.S. recreational boating industry include: • U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla. • U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn. • Amy Walter, national… Continue reading

  • Member News: Maine Marine Trades Assoc. Director Goes to Washington

    From Soundings Trade Only: Maine Marine Trades Association executive director Susan Swanton was scheduled to be at the White House today for an event to discuss President Obama’s effort to get companies and industries to hire more long-term unemployed workers. In an interview with the Portland (Maine) Press Herald, Swanton said, “When you say ‘long-term… Continue reading

  • Boating Industry Q&A with ABBRA Executive Director Gordon Connell

    Check out the featured Q&A on Boating Industry’s website with ABBRA Executive Director Gordon Connell. Continue reading

  • Sales and Use Tax Does Not Apply to Boats Docked in Connecticut Less Than 60 Days in a Calendar Year

    A Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) bill recently signed by the governor eliminated sales and use taxes on a vessel if it will be docked in Connecticut for 60 or fewer days in a calendar year.  That means any vessel, however owned and wherever registered.  Another CMTA bill signed during this session repealed the luxury… Continue reading

  • Ethanol Mandate Repealed in Florida

    A Florida state lawmaker’s effort to repeal a requirement that all gasoline sold in the state have some ethanol in it has succeeded with the passage of a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed last Friday. Read more over at Soundings Trade Only. Continue reading

  • American Boating Congress Report

    This June’s issue of Soundings Trade Only contains a nice article on last month’s American Boating Congress (ABC) in Washington, D.C.  For the full report: Read it here. Continue reading