Protecting Access, Preserving Boating

From the American Boating Congress in D.C., host Kristina Hebert talks with NMMA’s Ben Murray about how state legislation is shaping the future of boating. 

From wake surfing regulations and shoreline setbacks to boater education and protecting water access, Ben breaks down the policies impacting families, dealers, and manufacturers — and why facts, science, and responsible boating matter more than ever. They also discuss the post-boating boom landscape and how the industry is bringing the next generation onto the water.

Subscribe, share this with a fellow boater, and leave a review to help more people find the show and stay informed.

Wards Marine Electric
https://www.wardsmarine.com/

Wards Way YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

Transcript

Welcome From Washington, D.C.

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Wards White Podcast. We're here in Washington, D.C. at the American Boating Congress, and I'm here with Ben Murray, who is the Director of State Government Relations with the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Today we are going to be talking about lots of different legislative topics, but I'm so happy to have you here, Ben, so you can fill us in on what's going on in the boating industry at the state level.

SPEAKER_01 0:22

I'm happy to be here, Christy. I've had the opportunity to see you podcast at the Miami Boat Show, walking by, and you know, I'm so excited to be a guest now. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 0:31

Thank you for being here. So at the state level, what are some of the issues that I know we're going to be talking to? Let's dive into it.

How NMMA Fights In All States

SPEAKER_01 0:38

Yeah, absolutely, Christy. Well, just to kind of set the scene a little bit, NMMA truly focuses on two main areas. One is access and advocacy, um, and also consumer focus. So bringing more consumers into the industry. I'm going to be talking about the advocacy side and some of the access pieces that come with that. I oversee our state government relations program, which is unique because we uh cover all 50 states for any legislation, regulations that may be coming down from agencies or anything in between. We have a team of four typically that are regional and in the states, which makes it super great. We have someone that is based in Dallas, Texas, that covers the western region minus California. I have someone on my team that is actually starting in a week and a half, I guess now, uh that will be based in Detroit, Michigan, covering our Midwest region. And then we have someone based here in DC covering our Northeast region. And then I am based in Nashville, Tennessee, and I get the pleasure of covering the Southeast and the great state of Florida, which I get the pleasure of working with you and so many others in Florida.

SPEAKER_00 1:43

And you know, Ben, I appreciate you taking the time to kind of walk back. I immediately jumped into the issues because I'm so excited in our industry. I'm I'm one of those people that really enjoy um, you know, the legislative and the advocacy process, but I I think it's very important that you did you National Marine Manufacturers Association is a is a very strong entity, and as you've mentioned, it's not only just located at the in our uh nation's capital and fighting on federal, but all across the nation. Boating is important, water access and and people getting on the water is so important to our country. So in those regions, do you find um any overlaps on some of the some of the topics or some of the challenges?

SPEAKER_01 2:24

There's definitely some common themes for sure, Chrissy. I think when people think about politics or they think about uh government relations, everyone automatically thinks about our nation's capital, right?

SPEAKER_00 2:34

I agree.

SPEAKER_01 2:35

And, you know, people don't realize that some of the most uh harmful restrictions and decisions can be made right in your own backyard at your state capitol. And for Florida, it's Tallahassee, and you know, for Arkansas, it's Little

Wake Surfing Setbacks And Water Access

SPEAKER_01 2:49

Rock. So thinking about some of these issues and common themes that we see, we see a lot of uh potential access restrictions, um, particularly coming from wake sports and wake surfing access. Um, we've got some areas of the country that are doing things right, as I would like to say, um, and they have common sense, science-based approaches when they're deciding setback distances on boats. So thinking about states like Georgia and Tennessee and South Carolina and Alabama, where they have a 200-foot setback distance, which is actually what's recommended by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. That's a tongue twister you have to really think about.

SPEAKER_00 3:27

So setback, let's even walk walk that back a little bit. So, what does that mean? So, so we have just people in the country, they want to have access to the water.

SPEAKER_01 3:35

Right.

SPEAKER_00 3:35

They want to be able to get on the water, and you're saying there are there are setbacks, there are limitations to that.

SPEAKER_01 3:40

So when I mean setbacks, I mean setback distance from the shoreline. So, for particularly for wake surfing, um, an individual should be 200 feet from shoreline. Um, and we have seen restrictions, um, the most, you know, harmful restrictions in states like Vermont, um, where it is 500 foot setback distances. They're trying to put even uh more harsh regulations on the books. We've seen um, you know, a lot of proposals for 500 foot, which is just unworkable solutions.

SPEAKER_00 4:10

And why would that be proposed? What what is the what is that position side?

SPEAKER_01 4:15

Well, I I think, you know, the opposition, you know, will will cite um, you know, environmental concerns, but we push back on that because we have the science-based common sense approach that you know that says, you know, if if if a boat is going 200 foot uh from shoreline, it does not create any type of shoreline erosion more than wind. And that's what that's what research says, and that's what we back up.

SPEAKER_00 4:37

And I think that's very important that the National Marine Manufacturers Association, one thing I will say, when you go to the website, there's a tremendous amount of research, the science, the studies. It's not that it's just pro boating and and nothing else. It's it's let's get the facts. Yeah. And if there's a way, because we all want to work with the environmental agencies, we are the greatest stewards of the water boaters. And so I do think that that's important that that you do take that approach that says, let's find a solution, let's work together. So in this wakeboarding, has there been any any success or any uh movement in order to make uh a uniform setback? Is there something that people can get involved and support that?

SPEAKER_01 5:16

Yeah, absolutely. So the uniform setback should be 200 feet. And and as I was saying, um NASBLA, which is the National Association of State Boating Law administrators, they actually recommend a 200-foot setback distance. Um and so that's what it should be, the the industry standard. That's what it should be uniform across the country. It becomes a problem when states create a patchwork of regulation. So think about a lot of states, how many bodies of water share borders, right? Right. I mean, I'm thinking about states like you know, um South Carolina and Georgia. They have the same, you know, regulation on the books for 200 foot, which makes sense. But then you get into states where we've seen harmful proposals of 500 foot setback distances. And in Wisconsin's, we we've seen a harmful proposal in Massachusetts that we thankfully killed. Um, we've seen a proposal in Rhode Island that we've also combated and and it's not moving forward this session. So it is one of the top issues that we're working on. I think what people don't realize is access to the water is the most important thing to not only consumers, but also our manufacturers, right? Sure. If an individual can't take their boat out on the water and use it, why would they want to go upgrade and purchase a new one? And so for us, it's important that we're making sure that we're protecting access at all costs because it starts with wake surfing and what's the next activity that they want to take off the water.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

And I think it's always important to be promoting. Many people see boating, and I'm sure you you deal with this, Ben. Many people see boating as a hobby, as a lifestyle, but we're we're constantly fighting and having uh groups like this to talk about boating. Boating is an industry. Absolutely. And so there are secondary and tertiary consequences. Clearly, environment and safety are number one. But that said, you know, you're right, if somebody's not able to enjoy the boat the way they want in a solid, well-proposed, regulatory environment, then they're not gonna buy the boat. And and why does that seem like people may sit out there and say, why does it matter if somebody doesn't buy a boat or if somebody doesn't go on the water? Boating is an industry, there's generations, there's families, there's manufacturing. Everything's connected. Everything that goes into that boat. It's and 95%. I even read on your way on your website, 95% of manufacturers and boating businesses are small businesses. Absolutely. And so that's in that affects every community and and and definitely in the local politics, as you mentioned.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

And you know, a lot of people don't realize about um, you know, boating, you know, we particularly

Boater Education And Wake Responsibly

SPEAKER_01 7:38

about an industry, we support boater education, right? Responsible boaters are who out or who are out on the water, right? Now, there may be a bad actor every now and then, but it's important that we address those things. And so, you know, states that don't have mandatory boater education or any type of boater education course, it's really important for them to look at enacting that because I think if we continue utilizing the education campaigns that we already have, um, one of the organizations we work closely with, which is the Water Sports Industry Association, WSIA, um, they have a wake responsibly campaign, and it is a great educational campaign that we help amplify and it talks about the right things to do on and off the water when you're wake surfing and just making sure that we're incorporating that into voter education programs and manufacturers and dealers, which all do a great job at this, are disseminating this information and being able to share it out, which is super important because um if this is definitely a growing area. I mean, we we see wake surfing as a segment of the industry that is definitely growing. It's because it is truly something that anyone of all ages can do. Um, it is low impact on the body. Sure. We see what, you know, wake surfers um, you know, in their 70s, uh, you know, we see kids wake surfing because it, you know, you're going roughly 10 to 12 miles per hour. Um, and so, you know, you're not holding on to a rope. It's it's just truly low impact, and it's honestly a great way to get out on the water.

SPEAKER_00 9:07

And it sounds like another another family opportunity to have multiple generations on the boat, out on the water, enjoying the day. And I know today we have about four to five hundred delegates from the industry that are gonna be going out onto the meetings and by various states, and this is one of the position papers, which is talking about promoting voter education. Yes. You're not even asking for a regulatory set-aside, you're not asking for um something that would give voting an advantage. You're saying, you know, we think everybody should be educated, and here's a program.

SPEAKER_01 9:39

Yeah, absolutely, and it makes sense. And you know, as I like to say, you

Why State Capitols Move Faster

SPEAKER_01 9:43

know, and one of the things that we're gonna be talking about here at ABC, I'll be doing a panel tomorrow, and it talks about, you know, the state of the states and and how voting is moving to state capitals. Um, and we've got a really great, we actually have our lobbyists from Tallahassee that's flying in. I've got a state legislator from Georgia that'll be coming in, I've got someone from EPA that will be on the panel, and then I've got one of my colleagues that does public policy with us. And it's gonna be a super interesting panel, Christy, because what a lot of people don't realize is because that there's not federal regulations on certain um avenues, state legislators are taking things into their own hands, and we're seeing more and more regulations in our own backyards, right in our individual states. And so I'll tell you, I've been doing state government relations and just been in state politics for well over eight years now. And this past session was the busiest legislative session I've ever been a part of, just in general, because the amount of legislation that is now being taken up and considered at state capitals really impact our industry. And um there was a lot to go through this this past session, just to say the least.

SPEAKER_00 10:50

To ask the million-dollar question, why do you think that is?

SPEAKER_01 10:54

Well, I think, you know, federal government right now has had some, you know, their unique issues. Um, and I know you'll be hearing from my colleague that gets the pleasure of working in federal government relations. I personally enjoy state government relations. I did a stint in DC. I loved it. I loved all of the people I got to work with, but the federal government works a little too slow for me. And a lot of decisions at the state capitol can happen very fast, which is not always the best thing. Um, but there's always something moving. So I think because there hasn't been certain decisions made around certain issue areas that states are, you know, really wanting to take action on certain things, and a state legislator has the right to bring a piece of legislation that they want to address something and they can and they do and they have. Um I think.

SPEAKER_00 11:43

I have a philosophy that maybe we're victims of our own success because during during COVID, families turned to voting. Absolutely. Families turned to the water. More people got out on the water, more people wanted to to still feel the outdoors and still be a part of that. And so maybe voting has you've been doing such a good job of increasing boating and and and having more voters on the water in all of these states that now it's it's drawing

New Boaters And Discover Boating

SPEAKER_00 12:06

their attention.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

Yeah, 832,000 first-time boat buyers entered the market in 2020. Think about that.

SPEAKER_00 12:13

832,000. Wow.

SPEAKER_01 12:15

And you know, it's important for us as an industry, not only should we be focusing on retaining our current consumers and participants in the boating industry, but attracting the next generation of boaters as well, right? What are we doing to reach across and and you know, bring individuals that may not have grew up in boating, but making sure that everyone knows that the water is for everyone and that the boating industry is some a place that anyone can come in, get out on the water. It's super simple. We have a great campaign discover boating. If if someone knows absolutely nothing about boating, they could go to discoverboating.org and they can be on the water in the same day.

SPEAKER_00 12:55

And I would encourage people to attend an NMMA boat show. Absolutely any one of them that that that has the Discover Boating, because I will tell you, you can see the entire ecosystem lifecycle, whether you're a paddle boarder, a wake boarder, a center console owner, a super yacht owner, you have a place and we all same ecosystem. Big boat, little boat, access to water is important to everybody.

SPEAKER_01 13:17

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize that you know boating is not something that is just for a certain segment of the population or individuals. Um it's it's actually really interesting. One of the my favorite statistics that we have, and I'll probably get it a little bit wrong, but roughly 62, 63 percent of um boaters have an annual household income of $75,000 or less.

SPEAKER_00 13:44

And that just goes to show you that no matter what, it's it's American families, it's it's multi-generations, it's people just wanting to enjoy the time. It's an American industry. It is an American industry, absolutely. Thank you for being here, Ben. Thank you for the Manufacturers Association. So excited to see all of the activities that are happening here, and I look forward to hearing more about the state activities. Absolutely. Thank you. And and your panel tomorrow. Thank you, Christy. Thank you. Thanks for joining us. Make sure you subscribe to the Ward Wave Podcast, which is getting started.