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Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. NMMA played a critical role in shaping the bill—which includes key provisions that would improve the safety of the millions of Americans who take to the water each year. 

The bill includes a provision that would mandate the wear of engine cut-off devices for operators of boats under 26 feet while under way—a critical safety measure that law enforcement, manufacturers, and the recreational boating community strongly support. This measure builds upon the important steps taken two years when Congress required manufacturers to install these devices in most boats under 26 feet , which is something many boating manufacturers have been doing for years.

Additionally, the bill would grant the Coast Guard “equivalency” authority—allowing the Coast Guard to streamline approval of the recreational boating industry construction standards and new technologies, all while maintaining the highest level of safety.

Although the House had passed similar legislation in 2019, the U.S. Senate was unable to reach an agreement at that time. House and Senate leaders have spent the past several months negotiating the new agreement, which passed in the House last week and is expected to move forward in the Senate.

NMMA will continue to monitor the progress of this bill in the Senate and work with Congress to ensure this bill gets to the president’s desk. For more information, please contact NMMA director of federal government relations, Clay Crabtree at [email protected].