MBIA Reports on Busy Legislative Season

The Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) has released a report on its 2019 legislative efforts to date.

The MBIA, through a lobbying firm and the board of directors and staff, monitors legislation affecting boaters in the state and nationally. MBIA not only monitors legislation but also keeps legislators informed and educated about the impact of recreational boating – a $7.9 billion industry in Michigan.

According to MBIA, 2019 has so far been a year with large turnover of legislators and many issues impacting the boating industry.

1. Wind Turbines in Lake Erie – MBIA stands with the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association against building wind turbines in Lake Erie, or any of the Great Lakes. “MBIA is not opposed to alternative sources of energy. But, regarding wind farms in our Great Lakes, we find far too many unanswered questions and documented risks to the health and aesthetics of these unique and often fragile bodies of water,” MBIA Executive Director Nicki Polan said.
2. Sales Tax on the Difference – In 2013, Sales Tax on the Difference for Boats was made a law, requiring purchasers to only pay tax on the difference of a new boat and a trade-in, joining all other Great Lakes states with this law and bringing more boat sales to MI that were going out of state for this savings. There are only two legislators left in the state who voted for this law, so MBIA is continuing to communicate success stories from dealers and their customers because of this law.
3. Post Labor Day School Start – Seventy percent of Michigan residents surveyed preferred to start schools after Labor Day as August is the preferred vacation month for families. The MBIA is fighting to keep post Labor Day School start and close the loophole allowing schools to receive waivers.
4. Stop year-round sale of E15 Gasoline – MBIA representatives testified to the EPA the negative effects of increased ethanol in gasoline and the dangers of year-round E15 gasoline sales.
5. Asian Carp – Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director said stopping Asian Carp is a DNR priority. Michigan’s governor and staff met with Illinois’ governor offering complete support for the suggested measures to stop Asian Carp at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam located near Joliet, Illinois. The Illinois governor sent a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers to offer IL as non-federal sponsor for a project to implement Asian carp prevention measures at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. The Brandon Road facility, operated by the Corps, is a logical choke point in the waterways leading to Lake Michigan. The Corps has proposed a suite of structural measures at the lock to fortify efforts to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes but needed a non-federal sponsor to move forward.