Legislative update

By now, I’m hoping you have your Boat Show tickets and have cleared your calendars for the 65^th Annual Seattle Boat Show. While everything is getting in place for the Show, eyes are focused on what’s happening in Olympia, too.

Here’s a brief update on our legislative priorities:

House Committee Action:

HB 2444: Sets up a study of a marine innovation center
Position: OPPOSE

·         While we are not opposed to the concept of marine innovation, we are opposed to taking $150,000 from the Recreation Resource Account to study the benefits of a marine innovation center.

·         Plus, this center seems redundant given the good work already underway at the NW Center of Excellence and CAMPS (Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Puget Sound).

·         Solution: We would like to work with the prime sponsor on finding grants and/or money in the higher education budget as there is a much closer connection there than taking money from the Recreation Resource Account, which is part of the Capital Budget.

·         Status: The bill was heard last week in the Community Development Committee. You can view the testimony here.

HB 2469: Exempts advanced treatment systems for boatyards from the Shoreline Management Act

Position: SUPPORT

·         Background: The new Boatyard Permit pushes boatyards towards purchasing water treatment systems (think giant Brita filters)

·         This bill would allow them to get installed quicker with assurance that key environmental protections are maintained and shorelines are not harmed.

·         Status: Execed out of the Local Government Committee on Friday. You can view the testimony here.

 

Senate Committee Action

SB 6171: Increases the weight that is eligible for a exemption from the Pilotage Commission

Position: SUPPORT

·         Background: Currently, any foreign-flagged vessel needs a pilot unless they can qualify for an exemption, which is available for any vessels under 200 feet and 500 tons.

·         Working with the Puget Sound Pilots, we have reached consensus that the amount of tonnage can be upped to 750 tons.

·         If this bill passes, foreign-flagged vessels would be eligible for an exemption if they under 200 feet and 750 tons.

·         Status: This bill was heard in the Transportation Committee and was voted out of that committee on January 23. Hearing link here and vote to move it out of the committee here.

SB 6264: Add $1.00 to boat registrations to pay for a marine innovation center

Position: OPPOSE

·         While we are not opposed to the concept of marine innovation, we are opposed to taxing boaters an additional dollar to fund a marine innovation center.

·         Plus, this center parallels work already underway at the NW Center of Excellence and CAMPS (Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Puget Sound).

·        Solution: We would like to work with the prime sponsor on finding grants and/or money in the higher education budget as there is a much closer connection than charging the end user for this center.

·         Status: The bill was heard last week in the Marine Waters Committee. You can view the testimony here