Activities & Member Programs

MIAF - Recreational Boating Advocates Serve to Preserve and Grow Florida Boating!
The Marine Industries Association of Florida (MIAF) promotes and protects the interests of marine businesses and boating enthusiasts across the State. Though they have a voice in Washington, DC via various national organizations, the focus isn't necessarily on Florida, where MIAF is the voice for local boating concerns.
Government regulations are expanding. MIAF works year-round with the Florida government to assure that all laws and regulations are equitable to boating interests and informs members about how they will be affected. When MIAF speaks, regulators listen.
Boating interests have common challenges and goals. At the local level, via our district charters, we provide the opportunity to network with the boating public and marine interests, to define interests, to protect and grow boating in your area, and to help grow marine-related businesses.
It's now more important than ever to keep informed. Our newsletter covers marine events statewide, legislative and regulatory actions and marine-related topics to grow your business.

There are seven regional associations:
NWMIA - The panhandle of Florida
SWMIA – Lee and Charlotte Counties
MIACC – Collier County
JMA – Jacksonville
MIACF - Central Florida (Orlando)
MIATC – Covering Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River County
MIAPB – Palm Beach County

NMMA - Washington Round up
According to the Government Relations Department for NMMA, the crucial issues currently facing the Industry are as follows:

• Ethanol
NMMA is continuing its legal challenge of the EPA's waiver decision to allow E15 for some model year cars and trucks. As this long process continues in the courts, we continue to work with our allies on the Hill to prevent any efforts to increase usage of E15 through legislation.
• GPS
NMMA, BoatU.S. and our partners in the "Save Our GPS" coalition are working to keep the existing GPS network viable for marine applications, including Personal Locator Devices, VHF-FM marine radios, the U.S. Coast Guard's Rescue 21 system, DSC-equipped radios, 406 EPIRBs and GPS navigation systems. This is in response to a private company called LightSquared, who received conditional approval to build 40,000 ground stations within the U.S. that would transmit high-powered signals in the middle of the existing satellite band of frequencies. We are very concerned that these frequencies have the potential to block or disrupt GPS signals and interfere with GPS receivers. Read more in the Scuttlebutt section of Southern Boating's August issue.
• Uniform Certificate of Title Act
The Uniform Certificate of Title Act, which is similar to most state boat title schemes, creates a model vessel brand that acts as a permanent designation on a boat title disclosing any damage to the boat. Previously, this information was regulated by a number of different state and federal laws. The Act seeks to create a uniform model that we hope will be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard to help and protect consumers by facilitating financing and transfers of ownership as well as by deterring theft.
• Second Home Deduction for Boats
There were two proposals this summer advising that the second home deduction for boats be eliminated as a means of reducing the federal deficit: HR 1702, the Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Yachts Act, as well as a proposal from Senator Jay Rockefeller (WV).
While we do not anticipate that these specific measures will move forward, it would not be a surprise if the idea comes up again as Congress looks at ways to cut spending. It is possible that some could propose that the deduction is eliminated for just boats, all second homes (which includes boats, RVs, vacation condos, etc.) or even all first homes.
For more information on this and other issues facing the industry, visit nmma.org.