MARINA Act Maintaining Access to Recreational Industry and Necessary Adjustments Act
Impact
This legislation is expected to significantly impact existing state and federal laws governing marinas by implementing a cap on rental rates and administrative fees. Specifically, it limits the maximum rental charge to 1% of the marina's combined covered receipts and sets a clear fee schedule for various activities. These changes will help to ensure that marina operators are not overburdened by excessive administrative fees, thus promoting more equitable operations in the recreational sector.
Summary
House Bill 6375, known as the 'MARINA Act' or the 'Maintaining Access to Recreational Industry and Necessary Adjustments Act,' aims to standardize and regulate the administrative fees and rental amounts charged to certain marinas by the Corps of Engineers. The bill's intent is to enhance public access and use of federal facilities by addressing inconsistencies in fee structures across different Corps districts. Currently, there is no comprehensive system in place, which the bill seeks to rectify by establishing regulations regarding how rental amounts and administrative fees are calculated and assessed.
Contention
While the bill is aimed at benefiting marina operations and encouraging public access to recreational spaces, potential points of contention could arise regarding the implementation of these federal standards. Critics may argue that establishing uniform rules could disregard local conditions and the specific needs of individual marinas. Additionally, there may be debates over the acceptable limits of fees and how they might affect the revenue models of the marinas that rely on these federal leases.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)