SENATORS LEAD BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO RECOVER FISHING AND BOATING INVESTMENTS
Senators John Breaux of Louisiana and Trent Lott of Mississippi introduced this week S. 2019, a measure to safeguard anglers and boaters' investments in fishing and boating access and quality by recovering the full amount of excise taxes they contribute under the Sport Fish Restoration Act. The Senate bill mirrors the Sportfishing and Boating Equity Act of 2003, legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2003 by Congressman Clay Shaw of Florida and now co-sponsored by 22 other Members of Congress.
"The legislation Senator Breaux and Senator Lott introduced would add $110 million annually under the Sport Fish Restoration Act, which will mean at least an additional $1.1 million for each state's fishing and boating programs every year," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. Nussman also chairs the American League of Anglers and Boaters, a coalition of 32 partners working toward reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration Act and promoting legislative measures to recover this funding.
“We should be dedicating 100 percent of this Aquatic Resources Trust Fund to all valuable boating and fishing programs that benefit from the Wallop-Breaux legislation, ranging from boat safety programs to coastal wetlands restoration,” said Senator John Breaux. “Wallop-Breaux was specifically designed so users pay for these programs through the fuel taxes they pay, and this legislation will rightfully return those funds to help everyone who enjoys fishing and boating in Louisiana and nationwide.”
“I’m a strong advocate of reserving all the motorboat fuel tax revenue in the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund to support infrastructure improvements and promote a clean, safe environment for the tax paying boating and fishing public,” said Senator Trent Lott. "This practice of directing all fuel tax revenues into trust funds has been a boon for supporting federal highway a