Public Policy

The NMMA is the premier advocacy voice of the recreational boating industry, working to protect and improve the business environment for the recreational boating industry by addressing legislative and regulatory issues at the state and national levels.

NMMA has strengthened advocacy efforts on behalf of our members through better integration with the Personal Watercraft Industry Association and the Marina Operators Association of America.

Also, NMMA often partners with other industry stakeholders, such as the American Sportfishing Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and others to strengthen its positions and present a unified industry point of view.

"One of the most valued benefits of an NMMA membership is superb quality government relations activities. NMMA enables the entire marine industry to have an impact on legislative and regulatory outcomes that no single recreational marine company could do on its own. The professional credibility and respect NMMA has with government officials at all levels has added value to our relationships with members of Congress and our state regulatory officials."

Robert Deputy
President
Godfrey Marine – Member since 1959

"NMMA membership is valuable to Mercury Marine because NMMA is the voice of the industry and our interests in a variety of forums … from the halls of the U.S. Congress, to the offices of many Federal Agencies, to the departments of state governments. They represent us well."

Jim Hubbard
VP Chief of Staff
Mercury Marine – Member since 1946

FEDERAL

NMMA is deeply involved in shaping congressional legislation and influencing rules and standards issued by regulatory agencies such as the Departments of Commerce and the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Coast Guard, Customs, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Key federal legislative achievements for fiscal year 2004:

  • The Senate passed S. 1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, which will result in a nearly 3.5% tax reduction for all manufacturers, including recreational marine manufacturers.
  • Several bills have been crafted or are pending as a result of NMMA efforts to overhaul the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which has failed to live up to a high conservation and restoration standard.

REGULATORY

Recreational boating thrives on clean air and water, and NMMA provides program support for member companies to develop new technologies that minimize the impact of boating on the environment, including engine emissions, waterway access, and boating safety. NMMA dramatically expanded its activities in the federal regulatory arena during the past year:

  • Took action on over a dozen regulatory initiatives:
    • Filed comments on U.S. Park Service Proposed Rule on Boating and Water Use Activities. Follow-up meeting with Office of Management and Budget led to constructive dialogue with Park Service and close working relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard on boating rules.
    • Filed comments on U.S. Coast Guard proposed rule to allow states to require liability insurance before issuing a numbering certificate for an undocumented vessel.
    • Drafted alternatives to the Biscayne National Park General Management Plan that could adversely impact boater access to this important boating site.
  • Created a boat Transportation Task Force to address a host of commercial hauling and recreational trailering issues, and a task force to amend the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act.
  • Represented the industry on the Hill, lobbying to repeal the steel tariffs, allow surge brakes in commercial trailers, and against early warning reporting requirements for vehicle manufacturers.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

  • Led negotiations with EPA regarding evaporative emissions from boat fuel systems. Conducted SHED tests at Automotive Testing Labs in Mesa, AZ to prove that current emissions from boat fuel tanks were lower than the EPA proposed standard. As a result, the EPA withdrew its proposal and is researching alternative solutions.
  • Effectively lobbied the State of California for an estimated $2 million for in-boat/in-water catalyst test program currently being conducted at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The two-part program includes a fresh and salt-water phase, and will determine the feasibility and durability of catalyst in a marine environment. If the technology proves feasible, SD/I marine engine manufacturers will begin marketing catalyst equipped engines in California in 2008.
  • Defeated a California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CAL OSHA) plan to lower the permissible exposure limit for styrene to 20 ppm or less. Through an NMMA funded Industrial Hygiene and cost benefit study, we convinced the Department of Industrial Relations that the CAL OSHA was not considering all factors in making its determination. This issue is by no means dead, but any future Permissible Exposure Limit changes will require committee consensus and NMMA staff have been appointed to the committee.

STATE

NMMA’s state lobbying group represents members’ interests before state legislatures, monitors pending legislation and works to ensure fair and reasonable state regulations for the recreational marine industry.

  • NMMA is supporting changes to Louisiana dealer contract statutes to improve the business climate for boat manufacturers. The association is also opposing passage of mandates regarding contracts between marine dealers and manufacturers in Missouri, New York and Michigan.
  • Boat dealers and manufacturers together stopped a plan to increase sales taxes on boats and marine engines in Texas.
  • In Florida, NMMA is urging Governor Jeb Bush to sign a bill that would provide scientific guidance for establishing speed zones and conducting manatee population studies and goals.
  • NMMA and other marine interests joined forces to help pass a bill to study ways to maintain or increase the number of public boat slips in Florida.
  • NMMA is supporting New Jersey legislation that would reverse a ban on houseboats in state-owned marinas.
  • NMMA is pushing for a bill in Maryland to allow wider recreational trailer widths

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH


Congressional Boating Caucus

The Senate and House Congressional Boating Caucuses are an informal, bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives concerned with issues affecting the recreational marine industry. The Caucus, which welcomed over 20 new members this past year, now boasts more than 130 members.

Grassroots

A strong grassroots operation is vital for successful advocacy. Letters and calls from voters are far more influential than the efforts of a single lobbyist. NMMA’s grassroots program has been a vital part of the association’s ability to defeat legislation in Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Missouri, as well as addressing numerous federal issues including the Recreational Marine Employment Act, Wallop-Breaux reauthorization, and Endangered Species Act reform.

Communication Tools

The Washington Wave - An in-depth, biweekly electronic newsletter that reaches nearly 3000 people at NMMA member companies and Congressional staff, federal and state officials, boating media and other interested audiences.

Government Relations Web site -The association continually updates legislative and regulatory content of www.nmma.org/government with alerts, newsletter, fact sheets, and articles of interest to the marine industry.

E-advocacy - NMMA’s Boating Online Advocacy Tool, (B.O.A.T), enables members to support industry positions by sending pre-written letters to their elected officials on issues identified and publicized by the government relations staff. The site can be found at www.nmma.org/eadvocacy.


NMMA PAC

NMMA’s political action committee, NMMA PAC, is the centerpiece of a long-range strategy to increase support for the recreational marine industry in Congress. Considering the crucial role political contributions play in helping boating-friendly candidates get elected, NMMA PAC set an aggressive fundraising goal of $250,000 by Election Day 2004. With receipts in the first half of 2004 surpassing the fundraising mark for all of 2003, NMMA PAC is rapidly approaching its goal and is poised to become one of the premiere trade association PACs in the country.

Learn more about the NMMA Political Action Committee ».


AMERICAN BOATING CONGRESS (ABC)

The 2004 American Boating Congress was the most successful in NMMA history. More than 230 participants heard from 17 Members of Congress, including Senators John Breaux (D-LA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN). NMMA organized Hill visits resulted unprecedented Congressional exposure for the recreational boating community. Over 100 meetings with representatives from 25 states provided a wonderful opportunity for policymakers to learn about key boating issues.

Advocacy awards were presented to NMMA members and long-time boating champion Representative Ric Keller (R-FL), the sponsor of the Recreational Marine Employment Act. Congressman Keller received the 2004 Admirals Circle for Recreational Boating Industry Award, which recognizes extraordinary legislative leadership and commitment on behalf of the recreational marine industry.

Learn more about the NMMA American Boating Congress (ABC) ».