The Advisory Council of Marine
Associations (ACMA) met at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (MDCE) on Nov. 10 to review 2012 federal and state legislative activities and to project potential
legislative action in 2013.
During the meeting, ACMA members discussed ethanol, federal red tape and over regulation, problems with a lack
of funds for dredging of small boat harbors and channels, the Sport Fish and
Boating Account, working waterfronts, and efforts to mandate adult lifejacket
wear. It is expected these issues will
continue in 2013.
Concern
was also expressed about the fiscal cliff. MRAA was asked to watch the negotiations closely and to support a
balanced approach with spending cuts and small increase in taxes, but also to
support retention of the second home mortgage interest deduction and current
estate tax policy.
Every
participant in the meeting then discussed specific state issues, including
efforts to ban copper boat bottom paint, worker’s compensation and
longshoreman’s insurance, success of Clean Marina programs, universal titling
bills, Asian carp encroachment in the Mid-west, excessive boat boardings by the
Coast Guard, and the collection of non-toxic anti-freeze.
During the meeting, Jon
Kukuk of Wisconsin was re-elected to chair ACMA in 2013. Interest was expressed to meet again at the
American Boating Congress in early May.
The Advisory Council of Marine
Associations consists of regional and state marine trade association staff, who
together advise the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas on lobbying
and legislative efforts. This group meets on an ongoing basis, contributing to
MRAA’s agenda regarding efforts to undertake in support of its members.
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