Access to public waters is the foundation of recreational boating, supporting domestic manufacturers, local economies, and millions of families who depend on safe, reliable places to get on the water.
When boat ramps, marinas, harbors, channels, and other water access points are modern, safe, and well maintained, more families can enjoy time on the water. Manufacturers, dealers, marinas, fishing guides, service providers, and waterfront communities all benefit. When access is limited by aging infrastructure, shallow channels, closed ramps, or restrictive policies, the impact reaches far beyond one launch site or one local business.
That is why NMMA has made access to public waters central to its advocacy agenda. Access supports the recreational boating industry’s $230 billion annual economic impact, more than 812,000 American jobs, and roughly 36,000 businesses across the country. It also strengthens a uniquely American manufacturing sector: 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses.
Congress took an important step for access last week when the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act, a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill. For the recreational boating industry, one of the most important pieces of the package is Title IX, which includes reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.
Reauthorizing the Trust Fund is a top priority for NMMA and the broader recreational boating and fishing community. The Trust Fund is one of the most successful user-pay, public-benefit models in the country. It is supported primarily by motorboat fuel taxes and excise taxes on sportfishing equipment, and it returns resources to every state to support boating access, fishing, conservation, and safety.
NMMA’s letter to the committee emphasized that the Trust Fund generates roughly $750 million each year for boating and fishing infrastructure, supports the U.S. Coast Guard’s recreational boating safety program, helps maintain more than 9,000 boat launch ramps across the country, and has generated more than $3.5 billion since its last reauthorization.
The Trust Fund also supports the next chapter of boating access. In addition to investing in ramps, marinas, safety, and conservation, Title IX includes provisions that would help incentivize marinas to offer strategic maritime fuels (SMF). These fuels can reduce carbon emissions without compromising the range and performance boaters expect, and they can be used in many existing boats without changes to engines or fuel systems.
Following committee approval, Chairman Sam Graves said he looks forward to moving the bill on the House floor and working with the Senate to pass a final bill before current law expires on September 30.
That timeline matters. The Trust Fund is traditionally reauthorized through the surface transportation bill, making this committee action a key step toward long-term certainty for boaters, manufacturers, and state partners.
NMMA will continue working with Congress to advance strong boating access and infrastructure provisions in this legislation and beyond. Access to the water supports jobs, communities, and Americans’ way of life.
For more information about the BUILD America 250 Act or the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, please contact Cameron Nelson, NMMA’s Senior Manager of Federal Relations, at cnelson@nmma.org.
