BoatU.S. was proud to sponsor and participate in the 2024 Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) Annual Meeting, held November 19–21 in Charleston, South Carolina. This event brought...

The Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act, H.R. 9909, introduced in the House of Representatives, aims to provide significant benefits to recreational boaters by enhancing the...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries, and recreational boating is no exception. From navigation to safety, AI has the potential to enhance the boating experience in...

The U.S. Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, established in 1950, plays a crucial role in supporting recreational boating and fishing across the country. Funded primarily through excise...

On Wednesday, September 25th, BoatU.S. attended the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee meeting on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The hearing featured testimonies from Vice...

House Resolution 8704, introduced by Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) and Mary Peltola (D-AK), seeks to address concerns about the impact of speed regulations on both the boating community and...

As Congress debates a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government running, it's important to understand how this could affect boaters. A CR is essentially a temporary funding measure...

BoatUS supports the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, and we hope you do as well. Read our latest issue brief here:WRDA 2024

Boaters Need to Understand the Renewable Fuel Standard and Ethanol's Impact on BoatsThe Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was created with good intentions—to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by mandating...

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024) is a critical piece of legislation that aims to address water infrastructure needs across the United States. This bill focuses on improving our...

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations. It serves as a critical tool for transparency, providing the...

BoatUS, alongside Recreational Boaters of California, is monitoring California Senate Bill 1066. This bill introduces an “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR) requirement for marine flares, making...

David KennedyDavid KennedyDavid is the Government Affairs Manager for Boat Owners Association of The United States, BoatUS. He joined BoatUS in 2009, having served as a government affairs...

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, the BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team takes a moment to reflect on one of our most fundamental rights—the First Amendment right to petition the government. This...

The first step in resolving an issue locally is to figure out who is in charge: What local official or office has jurisdiction over the matter in question?In the U.S. there are three levels of...

The BoatUS Government Affairs team was on Capitol Hill this week, attending two critical congressional hearings to advocate for the interests of recreational boaters.The House Transportation and...

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters (MAPWaters) Act, introduced by Senators John Barrasso and Angus King, is making progress through congressional committees. This legislation is designed to...

BoatU.S. is on watch for recreational boaters on Capitol Hill with the  Government Affairs team attending the latest Subcommittee on Coast Guard hearing. Focused on the recapitalization of the...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs team joined this year’s Capitol Hill Ocean Week, hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. We joined forces with our colleagues from the BoatU.S. Foundation...

The BoatU.S. Government and Public Affairs team were on watch for boaters, attending the American Boating Congress, the boating industry's annual policy conference in early May. With presentations...

The EXPLORE Act will improve access to outdoor activities for America's boaters and includes:Breaks down government silos to address pressing recreation challenges and opportunitiesExpands parking at...

One of the best tools to influence public policy available to the BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team are the BoatU.S. members themselves. Lawmakers want to hear from their own constituents when they...

Adm. Linda L. Fagan, commandant of the Coast Guard (U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles)Admiral Linda L. Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard,...

Credit: Getty Images/Siegfried SchnepfA basic political axiom is that you have to show how much you care about an issue before you tell them how much you know. And there is no better way to show you...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:While many think the policy work done on Capitol Hill...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:The primary interaction most boat owners have with...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:Getty Images/Douglas RissingPassage of the annual...

Legislation is currently under consideration in Florida that will prohibit anchoring in specific areas of Biscayne Bay. BoatU.S. is urging Florida boaters to contact their state representatives to...

BoatU.S. Government Affairs joined with a wide-ranging group of recreational angling and boating policy associations to meet with Federal Officials from agencies that work on improving fishing...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:One of the best ways to call for assistance on the...

Use the interface below to view state policy we're tracking across the country.

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:Getty Images/Chris BoswellJanuary means the kick-off of...

Credit: Getty Images/4kodiakBoaters have come to rely on GPS as a primary means of safe navigation and ensuring the integrity of this system is a top policy priority of BoatUS. Threats to GPS include...

Photo credit: Dave Palmer/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HeadquartersThe BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is...

Three wind turbines out to sea for renewable energy in New Shoreham, Rhode Island, United States (Credit: Getty Images/Cavan Images)The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in...

The BoatU.S. Government Affairs Team is always working to stay in front of policy trends on the water. Here’s what BoatU.S. is watching for you:Proposed new National Marine Sanctuaries – The National...

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are a significant challenge for the United States. For boaters, the spread of AIS can lead to restrictions on access to waterways, fewer fishing opportunities and...

Since its founding in 1966, BoatUS Government Affairs has been the voice of recreational boat owners on Capitol Hill and before the federal agencies in Washington. With the strength of over half a...

Does your town or region make it easy for boaters to visit and spend locally? Having safe, protected dockage and offering amenities to these tourists by water can bring boaters in, but how do you pay...

There is strength in numbers. Consider aligning your organization (yacht club, sailing association, fishing group, etc…) with other like-minded groups to form a coalition as lawmakers are more likely...

Social media web sites and services such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Tumblr have transformed the face of politics and grassroots campaigns.If you don't have the funds or resources to...

Here are a few easy guidelines for you to follow when talking with your local elected officials. Although interacting with your legislators may seem intimidating at first, it is important to remember...

A personal letter has long been one of the most effective ways to address an issue with government officials. In the U.S. Congress, it is standard practice for all constituent letters to receive a...

To strengthen and unify the voice of recreational boating, the Government Affairs Department often joins forces with other influential groups like:Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies...

About BoatUS Government AffairsBoatUS uses the collective strength of over a half a million Members to fight against unfair taxes and regulations, all the while advocating sound public policy that...