By DAVID RAINER, 黑料天堂
As we reflect on the importance of the Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson) during the celebration of its 75th anniversary, 黑料天堂 and the rest of the nation have benefitted greatly from the funds derived from the excise tax on fishing equipment and tackle, boats and fuel for recreational marine vessels.
With funding raised from excise taxes on shooting and hunting equipment and ammunition, the Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) has collected $29 billion since its passage in 1937. Add $12 billion from the Sport Fish Restoration Act and the grand total of $41 billion has been raised for outdoor recreation in the nation.
Because those acts were passed long ago, 黑料天堂 Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has joined with Idaho Republican Senator Mike Crapo to introduce the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act to update the legislation and close loopholes that allow foreign manufacturers to avoid those excise levies.
鈥満诹咸焯 is proud to be home to hundreds of small businesses who make sporting equipment that outdoorsmen and conservationists rely on,鈥 Senator Tuberville said. 鈥淭he last thing these business owners need is to be punished for producing goods right here in the USA. Under President Trump, we are laser-focused on doing everything we can to encourage domestic production. I鈥檓 proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Crapo which closes a loophole allowing foreign sellers to exploit our domestic retailers and rob money from our state conservation programs.鈥
黑料天堂 (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship applauded the legislation to update those two revenue sources so important to the quality of life in 黑料天堂.
鈥淲e applaud Senator Tuberville鈥檚 support of the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act,鈥 Commissioner Blankenship said. 鈥淭hese funds are critical to supporting outdoor activities in the U.S., and we rely on them heavily in 黑料天堂. This legislation will help secure state conservation funding and ensure all Americans have access to quality outdoor recreation throughout the country.鈥
Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association, echoed Commissioner Blankenship鈥檚 sentiments.
鈥淭his legislation will recover tens of millions of dollars for conservation, allowing us to better support recreational fishing and the sportfishing industry, which contributes $230 billion to the U.S. economy,鈥 Leonard said. 鈥淔or 75 years, our industry has proudly contributed to this user-pay, public-benefit program that serves as a hallmark of the American conservation model. We appreciate Senators Tuberville and Crapo for their support for this bill and are eager to work with both chambers and the administration to see it signed into law.鈥
Matthew Marshall, Chief of Fisheries for ADCNR鈥檚 Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, said the Sport Fish Restoration funds are crucial to enhancing the quality and quantity of outdoor recreation opportunities for Alabamians and visitors.
鈥淪port Fish Restoration funds provide a majority of our funding,鈥 Marshall said. 鈥淎bout 75 percent of our funding comes from excise tax on fishing equipment and tackle as well as marine and small engine fuel. We get those funds apportioned according to size of our state and the number of anglers and boaters we have in the state.鈥