Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/467551
March 2015 | Boating Industry | 27 [ Storming the hill ] www.BoatingIndustry.com Learn the status of key federal legislation concerning the marine industry Hear updates from experts about how pending legislation and regula- tion can impact your bottom line Get first-hand knowledge from state and federal regulators, key congressional staff and industry experts about trends that impact the marine industry Network with fellow industry leaders While the final agenda has not been finalized yet, the conference portion of ABC will feature discussions on several topics including the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, trade, fishing, taxes and ethanol. ABC will also feature several guest speakers, including members of Congress and key regulatory officials. Speakers at ABC 2014 included Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn., Rowan Gould, deputy director of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and others. A look at the key issues This year's ABC is also crucial because a new Congress, the 114th, took office earlier this year. With a new Congress comes a new opportunity to introduce legislation and educate lawmakers on the issues important to boating. Boating Industry talked to Nicole Vasilaros, NMMA's director of regulatory and legal affairs, about what we can expect from the new Congress and some of the key issues that will be important this year. Boating Industry: We have a Republican Congress now, so what does that mean for the industry? What does that change and what doesn't change? There's definitely been a shift to the Republicans, which tends to be great for pro-business industry members like so many of ours. There's definitely a window with any new Congress, a new opportunity to take up legisla- tion that failed in the old Congress, and give it all a fresh start, if you will. So we're looking toward capitalizing on that momentum of a fresh start, a new Congress. There are a couple bills that we've been working on for several years now, hoping that there will be momentum and a better chance of them getting through with the Republican majority. Boating Industry: What are some of those areas NMMA is hoping we'll see some action on? The first one is a transportation bill. There was definitely a lot of mo- mentum and hope to get something done in the 113th Congress, but we just got a reauthorization through May. We've already heard a lot of talk from Chairman [ James Inhofe, R-Okla.] on the Senate side, and I know "There's definitely a window with any new Congress, a new opportunity to take up legislation that failed in the old Congress, and give it all a fresh start, if you will." — Nicole Vasilaros, NMMA The American Boating Congress will include issue briefings (top), networking opportuni- ties and hill visits. The conference will kick off with a networking reception at the National Portrait Gallery, building off of last year's successful Potomac cruise (middle). The BoatPAC reception (bottom) will also give attendees a chance to spend time with key legislators, regulators and staff.