Government Affairs State Boating Info Washington Boating News

Washington Boating News

February 6, 2009
Action Needed: WA Boating Safety Funds in Jeopardy

Starting Monday, lawmakers in Olympia will vote on two bills, SB 5691 and HB 1848, that could jeopardize federal funding for boating safety programs that are critically important to Washington boaters.

These bills (which are identical) would move portions of current federal boating safety funds to more specifically focus on marine law enforcement programs. This would end up shortchanging other important boating safety and education programs. Additionally, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, it may jeopardize the State's eligibility for this important federal funding.

Please contact your legislators now and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 5691 and House Bill 1848. Call the state legislative hotline; they'll identify your legislators and leave messages for both the Senate and House.

Call now!
1-800-562-6000
M-F: 8 am to 8 pm, and Sat: 9 am to 1 pm

To read the bills and see their status:

Senate Bill 5691 is scheduled for a hearing at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 9, in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5691&year=2009

House Bill 1848 is scheduled for a hearing at 8:00 am on Friday, February 13, in the House Committee on Ecology and Parks.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1848&year=2009

If you are near Olympia, we encourage you to attend the Senate hearing on Monday February 9 at 1:30 pm to demonstrate your concern about the bill(s). If you plan to go, let the Recreational Boating Association of Washington know at rbawlobby@yahoo.com, so they can alert you to any changes in the schedule.

Please share this email with your boating and fishing friends, neighbors, and clubs. Time is short; we appreciate your quick action and would appreciate you sharing any feedback you get from Olympia.

Sincerely,

Margaret Podlich
Vice President, Government Affairs
Govtaffairs@boatus.com

For specific questions about boating issues or BoatUS Government Affairs, please e-mail the department at GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com

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