IN THIS SECTION
Federal Relations
The power of government and regulatory bodies to shape the future of the boating industry is unquestionable. Standing in the wings while recreational boating laws and regulations are being formulated simply will not do. That is why NMMA GR is at the forefront of our industry's government relations efforts, maintaining one of the most effective lobbying efforts in the nation.
The NMMA GR office analyzes hundreds of legislative bills filed in issue areas affecting our members. The department monitors the Congressional calendar, committee meetings and floor activity for legislative issues of interest to recreational boating. We also work to serve as information for Members of Congress and their staff.
NMMA GR is committed to educating decision makers about the issues of concern to the boating industry. NMMA GR knows that there is strength in numbers, and that each member can assist in these issues by working with their elected representatives. We can positively influence and shape the future of our industry.
Below are links to various current legislative issues that are of importance to the NMMA Membership at large.
NMMA Joins Coalition Urging Full Extension of Existing Tax Rates [PDF - 74.53 Kb]
NMMA joined a broad coalition of business interests calling on Congress to pass legislation preventing current tax rates from increasing.
- NMMA Letter to Sen. Landrieu on Small Business Amendment [PDF - 264.35 Kb]
- NMMA Letter Endorsing Nelson NOL Carryback Amendment [PDF - 261.3 Kb]
- Dammrich Testimony Before Senate Small Business Committee on Credit Access [PDF - 71.49 Kb]
On June 8, 2010, NMMA President Thom Dammrich appeared before the Senate Small Business Committee to address ongoing access to capital issues for marine manufacturers and dealers.
- Eight Senators Urge Marine Dealer Exclusion in Wall Street Bill [PDF - 672.21 Kb]
A June 3, 2010 letter circulated by Senator Bill Nelson and signed by 8 Democratic and Republican Senators urges Congress to treat marine and RV dealers equitably in new Wall Street bill.
- NMMA Policy Brief on Consumer Protection Bureau [PDF - 72.35 Kb]
NMMA is opposing provisions within the financial regulatory reform bill that would apply onerous new banking requirements on marine dealers.
- Joint Letter from Sens. Mary Landrieu & Olympia Snowe to SBA on Dealer Floorplan Financing [PDF - 394.79 Kb]
On March 8, 2010, Senate Small Business Committee Chair Mary Landrieu and Ranking Member Olympia Snowe sent a letter to SBA Administrator Karen Mills requesting immediate improvements in the Dealer Floor Plan Pilot Program to increase capital for marine dealers.
- Letter to President Obama Regarding Nashua Remarks on Boats [PDF - 266.49 Kb]
NMMA President Thom Dammrich sent the attached letter to President Obama requested he clarify his remarks associating buying a boat with an irresponsible purchase.
- 15 Members of Congress Write to SBA Urging Improvements to Dealer Floorplan Program [PDF - 107.16 Kb]
NMMA worked closely with Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and 15 bipartisan Members of Congress urging improvements to the SBA Dealer Floorplan Program in a letter sent Dec. 18, 2009.
- NMMA Support Letter to Sen Menendez for S. 2855 [PDF - 256.09 Kb]
NMMA on Dec. 15 sent a letter to Senator Menendez supporting S. 2855, which would direct $20B of TARP money for direct lending through SBA.
- Coalition Letter to Increase SBA Loan Caps [PDF - 26.14 Kb]
NMMA on Dec. 10 joined numerous other organizations in the Small Business Access to Credit Coalition calling on Congress to increase SBA loan caps and take other action to free up lending.
- TALF Letter to Chairman Bernanke [PDF - 148.57 Kb]
Twelve Members of Congress wrote a letter to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke urging him to re-examine elements of the TALF program.
- David Slikkers Letter on Floorplan Financing [PDF - 91.29 Kb]
NMMA Chairman David Slikker's letter to NMMA members and industry colleagues on floorplan financing.
- David Bofill Testimony for the House Small Business Committee [PDF - 32.98 Kb]
Boat dealer David Bofill of Bofill Marine testifies before the House Small Business Committee on "Laying the Groundwork for Economic Recovery: Expanding Small Business Access to Capital.”
- Industry CEO Letter Supporting NOL Carryback Extension [PDF - 32.18 Kb]
On April 1, NMMA Member CEOs joined CEOs from other industries in sending a letter requesting immediate NOL relief for companies of all sizes. 79 CEOs signed the letter, nearly half of them NMMA members.
- NMMA Requests Small Business Administration Assistance for Members [PDF - 242.15 Kb]
NMMA on March 25 formally requested a meeting with SBA regarding small business lending for the marine industry and lending assistance in the wholesale marine space.
- NMMA Policy Brief on Marine Floorplan Financing Crisis [PDF - 222.5 Kb]
Federal relief is needed for nationwide floorplan financing crisis. MMMA urges access to federal lending facilities and loan guarantees.
- FAQs on Marine Floorplan Financing Issue [PDF - 50.21 Kb]
Frequently asked questions about what the government can do and how TALF works
- NMMA Talking Points for Marine Floorplan Financing Issue [PDF - 50.3 Kb]
Click here for a set of comprehensive talking points for the marine floorplan financing issue to use in letters of calls with Capitol Hill and the Treasury Department.
- Marine Floorplan Financing: Phone/Fax for Banking and Financial Services Committee Members [PDF - 16.4 Kb]
Click here for phone and fax numbers for the Members of the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee.
- NMMA Proposes Floorplan Loan Guarantee Program to Facilitation Floorplan Lending [PDF - 133.13 Kb]
Click here to read NMMA's proposal.
- NMMA/MMTA Joint Letter to Chairman Barney Frank on TARP Oversight & Lending [PDF - 134.16 Kb]
NMMA and the Massachusetts MTA on Jan. 12, 2009 sent a joint letter to House Financial Services Chairman outlining specific actions to facilitate and increase lending to the marine industry.
- NMMA and Coalition Letter to Congressional Leadership on NOL Carryback Period [PDF - 18.22 Kb]
NMMA and a coalition of 70 additional groups sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging extension of the net operating loss (NOL) carryback period.
- NMMA Joins Broad Coalition supporting Pension Plan Relief [PDF - 22.93 Kb]
Update: This legislation has passed the House and Senate as of 12/11/08. NMMA has joined with hundreds of groups and companies in support of quick relief for certain defined-benefit pension plans.
- NMMA and Coalition Letter to Committee Leadership on NOL Carryback Period [PDF - 18.51 Kb]
NMMA and a coalition of 70 additional groups sent a letter to House Ways & Means and Senate Finance Committee leadership urging extension of the net operating loss (NOL) carryback period.
- NMMA/RVIA/RVDA Letter to President-Elect Obama on Credit Crisis [PDF - 112.72 Kb]
NMMA joined forces with RVIA, RVDA and the American Recreation Coalition outlining much-needed economic measures for the U.S. recreation industry.
- NMMA/RVIA/RVDA Letter to Secretary Paulson on Credit Relief [PDF - 110.27 Kb]
NMMA, RVIA, RVDA and the American Recreation Coalition sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Paulson urging expeditious action to free up credit for the recreation industry.
- NMMA/NMBA Letter to Secretary Paulson on Financial Rescue Package [PDF - 350.52 Kb]
NMMA and the National Marine Bankers Association sent a joint letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson regarding the Financial Rescue Package.
- NMMA Letter to Senate Leadership on Economic Stimulus for Marine Industry [PDF - 262.94 Kb]
NMMA sent Senate Leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell a letter outlining economic relief measures for the marine industry.
- NMMA Letter to House Leadership on Economic Stimulus for Marine Industry [PDF - 262.98 Kb]
NMMA sent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader John Boehner a letter outlining economic relief measures for the marine industry.
- NMMA Letter to Senate Finance Committe on Tax Relief & Economic Stimulus [PDF - 258.94 Kb]
NMMA sent the Senate Finance Committee leadership a letter outlining tax relief provisions that should be included in any economic stimulus bill.
- NMMA letter to House Ways & Means Committe on Tax Relief & Economic Stimulus [PDF - 258.82 Kb]
NMMA sent House Ways & Means Committee leadership a letter outlining tax relief provisions that should be included in any economic stimulus bill.
