Rrepresentatives from BIA with Senator DeFrancisco at the 2009 Advocacy day
Boating Helps Reduce Stress
We can’t stress the statistics enough - numerous studies have shown that a little bit of boating fun each day can go a long way towards reducing stress. In fact, a 2005 National Marina Manufacturers Association survey of over 1,000 American households listed boating in the top-three of all stress-relieving activities.
Navigation Law Updates
Life Jacket Wear Requirements
Beginning November 1, 2009, Section 40, Subdivision 1 of the Navigation Law shall be amended by adding new paragraph (e), which reads as follows:
No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.
Failure to wear a lifejacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under Section 73-c if the Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.
KEEPING NEW YORK WATERS SAFE FOR EVERYONE
NMMA urges all members and friends of boating to get engaged in political activism by sending e-mails and making calls to their elected officials regarding some of the most pressing policy issues concerning our industry. Our grassroots activists are our best advocates, and Congress needs to hear from you directly!
New York officials are not going ahead with a proposed 5 percent tax on boats of more than $200,000, which was included in Gov. David Paterson's original budget proposal.
"We're pleased that the legislature and the governor realized that this boat tax would not only fail to bring in revenue, but would significantly damage many marine businesses," said David Dickerson, NMMA director of state government relations, in a statement.
The NMMA, along with the New York Marine Trades Association and other allies worked to have this proposal eliminated from the budget. Hundreds of letters and e-mails were sent to the governor warning of the consequences such a tax could have on the marine industry, the NMMA said.
"The impact of the proposed tax would hit New York marine dealers most immediately. About 38 percent of their sales are of boats 30-39 feet long, most of which retail for more than $200,000," the NMMA said in a letter to the governor.
"Loss of even 20 percent of these sales to neighboring states, or to decisions to not purchase a vessel rather than pay the tax, would lead to even greater layoffs than already experienced in the New York market," the letter stated.
The NMMA notes that area dealers also have experienced significant sales declines since the New York National Boat Show had its dates moved to December. In 2001, attendance was 95,000 and, at the most recent show, it dropped to less than 50,000.
NYMTA executive director Christopher Squeri said the tax would do nothing to increase the state's coffer because consumers will simply buy fewer boats or purchase them out of state. That will hurt everyone, from dealers to marinas and other waterfront businesses.
"It's a domino that's just going to be horrible," Squeri said when the proposal was announced.
Stop the New York Luxury Tax on Boats Time is Short; Act Now
The proposed five percent luxury tax on sales of boats costing more than $200,000 is fully alive in the New York Senate and Assembly. The Governor and the legislature did cut a deal this week to drop a number of taxes from the proposed 2009-10 budget, however the Luxury Tax on boats was not one of them.
NMMA has two lobbyists on the ground fighting against the tax. Likewise, the New York Marine Trades Association has its lobbyists working hard on your behalf. Yet, it is marine dealers like you who are our best hope for stopping this tax.
(click here)
Tell Washington to provide relief for marine floorplan financing
The marine industry is struggling as a result of general economic conditions, but most specifically due to financial instability and a near total-lack of financing for dealer showroom floors. Production is at an all-time low, employees are being laid off by the thousands and businesses are shuttering their doors at an alarming rate.
The good news is that lawmakers in Washington, DC are in a position to help. The bad news is that the boating industry has not been included in recent efforts by Congress and the Treasury Department.
Stop the New York Luxury Tax on Boats Time is Short; Act Now
The proposed five percent luxury tax on sales of boats costing more than $200,000 is fully alive in the New York Senate and Assembly. The Governor and the legislature did cut a deal this week to drop a number of taxes from the proposed 2009-10 budget, however the Luxury Tax on boats was not one of them.
NMMA has two lobbyists on the ground fighting against the tax. Likewise, the New York Marine Trades Association has its lobbyists working hard on your behalf. Yet, it is marine dealers like you who are our best hope for stopping this tax.
(click here)
Tell Washington to provide relief for marine floorplan financing
The marine industry is struggling as a result of general economic conditions, but most specifically due to financial instability and a near total-lack of financing for dealer showroom floors. Production is at an all-time low, employees are being laid off by the thousands and businesses are shuttering their doors at an alarming rate.
The good news is that lawmakers in Washington, DC are in a position to help. The bad news is that the boating industry has not been included in recent efforts by Congress and the Treasury Department.
Saltwater Fishing Tax Would Sink New York's
Recreational Fishing Community
Albany, NY - January 27, 2009 - When New York Governor David Paterson unveiled his 2009 Executive Budget, many New Yorkers couldn't help but snicker at such belt-tightening proposals as the 15% "obesity tax" on non-diet drinks. For the recreational fishing and boating industry however, particularly a new coalition called Save Boating and Fishing Jobs in New York, the sweeping set of new taxes levied at their "active" tourism industry in New York is no laughing matter.
Efforts to force saltwater anglers to buy a $19 dollar saltwater license ($40 for out of state anglers) before casting a line in New York's coastal waters would strike a heavy blow to marinas, tackle shops and marine dealers, most of whom are already suffering from a two-year-long decline in business. In addition to a saltwater license, the governor's budget would also impose a 5% luxury tax on all boats costing over $200,000, an increase in marina fees, an increase in state park fees and a lifting of the cap on state fuel taxes.
"We're outraged that the Governor would recommend not one, but five new or increased taxes targeting fishermen, boaters and the $1 billion New York recreational fishing industry. We're experiencing an unprecedented downturn in fishing activity. Even fishing from the shore will be an expensive outing under this tax plan," said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), a national advocacy group for recreational fishing.
Joining in RFA's opposition is a coalition comprised of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), New York Fishing Tackle Trade Association (NYFTTA), United Boatmen of New York and the New York Marine Trades Association (NYMTA). The new coalition is calling itself Save Boating and Fishing Jobs in New York.
Recreational marine fishing in New York created $812 million in sales, directly supported 5,365 jobs, provided $424 million in value-added economic impact and $126 million in tax revenue, according to a 2006 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) study. NMFS excluded significant revenue from excise taxes applied to fishing trips, bait and tackle sales, and marine fuel.
"Fishermen already pay a huge amount in taxes to enjoy their sport," Donofrio said. "The state should create more incentives to spur its growth. A healthy, vibrant recreational fishery can increase revenue. Now is the time to support this important industry, not stifle it."
Coalition leaders believe that efforts by the state government to levy increased fees on regional fishing and boating could seriously impact New York's marine tourism industry. "When a politician implements a $2 cigarette tax or a 15% obesity tax, he'll tell you unabashedly that it's designed in part to stop people from using these products," said Jim Hutchinson, Jr. Executive Editor of The Fisherman. "Likewise, this over-taxation of boating and fishing will push many people and businesses over the edge. Fishermen will stay home, small businesses will be hurt and the state will lose more in general tax revenue than it gains from these sweeping taxes."
The NYFTTA has worked in recent months with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) to design a marine district saltwater registry that will minimize the cost to fishermen while increasing federal funding of fisheries management and boating infrastructure. "We hope the governor and legislature will drop the tax and instead support the saltwater registry being developed by the NYS DEC," said an obviously frustrated Gene Young, President of NYFTTA. "The Governor's license plan will smash open the lock box that now prevents the diversion of funds earmarked for marine conservation. The license fees will disappear into a general conservation fund, and the net effect will be a cutback in marine fisheries management."
"It has become tough enough to enjoy fishing in just the past few years. Summer fluke season has been shortened, winter flounder fishing soon will be banned and there's lower take limits on other local game fish," stated Philip Curcio of United Boatmen of New York, a trade organization representing the voice of the recreational charter and party boat industry in New York.
To learn more and to send a form letter to Governor Paterson, visit the RFA website at www.joinrfa.org.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, go to www.joinrfa.org or call 1-888-JOIN-RFA.
President Bush Signs 2008 Clean Boating Act into Law
President Bush last night signed into law The Clean Boating Act of 2008, protecting more than 17 million recreational boats throughout the U.S. from unprecedented federal regulations.
The signing took place on Air Force One as the President was en route from Ohio to Washington, D.C.
Both houses of Congress passed the Clean Boating Act July 22.
“This is welcome news for all recreational marine manufacturers across the country,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in a statement. “NMMA raised the alarm on this misguided court decision nearly two years ago, and we are thrilled that Congress and the President have prevented the bureaucratic nightmare that was set to become law.”
Introduced by Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Reps. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, and Candice Miller, R-Mich, The Clean Boating Act of 2008 permanently and fully restores a regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the Clean Water Act federal and state permitting system designed for land-based industrial facilities like sewage treatment plants.
Without legislative relief, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was set to implement new permitting regulations for boaters by Oct. 1, 2008.
Congressional action was prompted by a U.S. district court decision in September 2006 under which recreational boats would have fallen under Clean Water Act permit requirements effective Sept. 30, 2008. The federal permit would have dictated maintenance and operation procedures and potentially subjected boaters to citizen lawsuits as well as a penalty system designed for industrial polluters.
At the same time it passed The Clean Boating Act of 2008, Congress also passed legislation to provide a moratorium on permitting for commercial vessel discharges until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes a review of certain incidental discharges.
“It’s just a wonderful day for boating and it’s really wonderful that this common-sense legislation went all the way through this legislative process to become law,” Margaret Podlich, vice president of government affairs for BoatU.S., told Soundings Trade Only this morning.
The bill went to the president last Friday, Podlich said, but it was unknown when it would be signed.
Also, she noted, comments on the draft permits proposed by the EPA had been due this week, “so for recreational boaters, it’s a nice clean timeline because he signed it before that Aug. 1 comment deadline.
” Podlich, and officials from the NMMA, praised the efforts by so many in the industry that led to the passage of this bill. “The beauty of this year-plus effort is that everybody came together toward this common goal,” she said. “The industry, marinas, equipment manufacturers, equipment sellers … and the boaters themselves.”
“Passage of this legislation is a testament to what is possible when our community joins forces and speaks with one voice before key decision-makers,” said Scott Gudes, NMMA vice president for government relations.
— Beth Rosenberg
Boat/Jet Ski Certification Effective January 1, 2004
Effective January 1, 2004, New York State requires every PWC operator to have a boat/jet-ski certificate, and that means taking a boater safety course.
The requirement has been hasped in over years by age, and applies to all PWC operators beginning the first day of this year. While PWC's make up less than 10 percent of the state's registered boats, they are involved in nearly 30 percent of all accidents.
Effective January 1, 2004, New York State requires every PWC operator to have a boat/jet-ski certificate, and that means taking a boater safety course. 