SALES TAX COLLECTION

MMTA was successful in inserting language into the House-passed State Budget in the outside section (Section 191) which would effectively relieve the marine trades from collecting the sales tax on boats and vessels and leaving the collection to the Registry at the point of titling and registration. Unfortunately the Senate did not include that Section in its version of the Budget.

However the House-Senate Conference Report provided that the Department of Revenue in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement would study the feasibility and desirability of changing the point of payment of the sales tax of motor boats requiring registration, from the vendors to the Dept. of Law enforcement. This study is to be complete and filed on April 1, 2000 and sent to the Joint Committee on Taxation in the House and Senate Ways and Means Committee.

MMTA is hopeful it can persuade the Study Committee to relieve the boat dealers of their responsibility of collecting this sales tax, allowing it to be collected under the aegis of the Department of Law Enforcement. Marine trades members are urged to contact their State Representatives and Senators to support this legislation. The amendment we support would eliminate only the tax on boats, NOT on chandlery items or vessels not requiring registration.

HOUSE 3128 – USED OIL COLLECTION

This bill would require marinas to accept used oil from individuals who use the marina, not to exceed 5 gallons per day per individual, at no charge.

MMTA has opposed this legislation in past years. Its provisions have been much worse than the current Bill. Large merchandising marts which dispense oil still do not bear responsibilities in this regard. We have reflected this concern to the Legislative committees dealing with this legislation, including the Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Ways and Means Committee where the Bill now resides.

SENATE 1048
REHABILITATION OF WATERFRONT AREAS

This would be an appropriation of $10 million for rehabilitation of waterfront areas in industrial and commercial development.

We have supported this legislation filed by Senator Bruce Tarr, (R – Swampscott) and encouraged him to pursue his efforts in regards to it. Our feeling is that waterfront development is extremely important to the waterfront communities in the commonwealth.

CHAPTER 91 REVISION

This governor’s recommendation would eliminate various requirements of the Chapter 91 program in great ponds.

Non-water dependent proposals would no longer require public hearings in every case. This legislation continues the efforts to make the Chapter 91 program more consumer friendly.

All Bills which have been put to Study or which are in Committee for further action are carried over to the new Session which started on January 1, 2000. This Session will formally end on July 30, 2000; informal Sessions will continue for the balance of the year where non-controversial legislation will be taken up.