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Thursday, March 29, 2012

New law will make Washington state more friendly to boaters

Washington governor signs pilotage bill easing access for large boats into region
New law part of NMTA’s three-step plan for attracting bigger yachts to area

March 23, 2012 – Olympia, WA – Governor Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6171 today, which eases the pilotage requirements for foreign-flagged vessels. Taking effect on June 7, 2012, foreign-flagged boats up to 750 gross tons and under 200 feet can apply for a pilotage exemption. The previous legislation capped the exemption at 500 gross tons (and 200 feet).

"This legislation is one more step that we can take to making our state's world-class cruising grounds more accessible to tourists. We had continually heard from captains and charter managers that the need for a pilot kept many of these boats from visiting our area and spending money in our economy. Now that we’ve solved this, we can move on to other parts of our agenda. America’s Cup in San Francisco will mean an influx of these types of vessels to our area. As we
think about this event, we are pulling out the stops to become a magnet for them,” said NMTA's President George Harris.

This priority is part of a three-pronged legislative plan to cater to bigger boats and the ancillary dollars these boats bring to a region. The other two parts of this legislative agenda include expanding the Cruising Permit for out-of-state entity-owned vessels (House Bill 1904) and adopting a sales-tax cap (House Bill 1499) similar to the cap currently in place in Florida, which generated an additional $13.46 million in direct sales tax revenue for the state in the legislation’s first year.

Buoyed by the Hebert Report (www.nmta.net/impact), which is an economic impact study that the regional boating association co-commissioned, NMTA has focused considerable resources at this boating segment. "We've always known that boating means business for the 28,000 people employed in Washington state’s marine trades industry. And time and time again, we’ve heard that our state is the one-stop shop for all things that cater to this segment." said Harris. "We are confident that we have found three pieces of legislation that will unlock $29 million for our state
and bolster an area that's been hit hard by the recession."

NMTA represents 700 member companies in the recreational boating business community. Also, NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show – the West Coast’s Largest Boat Show. For more information on NMTA, please visit our Web site at http://www.nmta.net/.

Additional resources
Link to the new Washington Pilotage exemption: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6171&year=2011

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Peter
Schrappen Director, Government Affairs
Northwest Marine Trade Association 206-634-0911
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Update on Recreation Resource Account Fund Diversion

Last week around this time, the state Senate was sweeping $4.6 million from this account which is dedicated to improving boating infrastructure (mooring buoys, launch ramps, etc).

Now that amount has been reduced to $2.6 million, thanks to boaters flooding their legislators with calls and emails. That $2.6 million remains unacceptable, however.

For more info and access to our action alert, you can visit: http://www.votervoice.net/groups/nmta/advocacy/?issueid=27986

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Monday, March 05, 2012

Contact your Legislators today!

The State Senate has drafted a budget that dips into an account that is dedicated to improving boating infrastructure (which included mooring buoys and launch ramps). Please take a few minutes to let them know that this is unacceptable.

More info here: http://www.votervoice.net/groups/nmta/advocacy/?issueid=27791

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Saturday, March 03, 2012

Never a dull moment

The Legislature veered in a completely different direction yesterday (into last night into this morning) when three Senate Democrats sided with the Republicans on the budget they offered. That through everything into a procedural mess and an eight-hour battle royal. What was left is a Republican budget that has passed in the state senate that is now going to the House where it's assured to not move very far. Here's the link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017651307_budget03m.html


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