Advocating in the State Capitol
Recreational Boaters supports bills and regulations that would enhance recreational boating, and opposes bills and regulations that would have a detrimental impact on the state’s three million boating enthusiasts.

The organization’s advocacy efforts include testimony in public hearings, meetings with elected officials, preparation of amendments to alleviate potential problems with specific bills, as well as the sponsorship of pro-active legislation to benefit the recreational boater.

RBOC also works closely in partnership with Boat U.S. on federal legislative and regulatory issues important to boaters.

The organization currently has concerns
and interest on a number of issues
RBOC is very involved in protecting the environment as well as protecting the rights of boaters to enjoy their choice of recreation. RBOC is participating in the Delta Vision process to ensure efforts to enhance water transport and storage, to improve levees, and to acknowledge boater rights.

It is developing a new law allowing boaters to turn-in derelict vessels to local agencies [as an alternative to possibly abandoning them on the waterways].

RBOC is working with the state on best management practices for the use of anti-fouling paints on boat hulls.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – 2013

THIS YEAR, RECREATIONAL BOATERS OF CALIFORNIA (RBOC) CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE BOATING COMMUNITY OF OUR STATE. RBOC WAS FORMED IN 1968 TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE'S RECREATIONAL BOATERS BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR ROLE TO NATIONAL INTERESTS AS WELL BY CONTINUING OUR STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PARTNER - BOAT U.S.

WE ARE SUPPORTED PRIMARILY BY DONATIONS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YACHT ASSOCIATION (SCYA) AND PACIFIC INTER-CLUB YACHT ASSOCIATION (PICYA) MEMBER YACHT CLUBS AND THEIR MEMBERS. THIS ENABLES THE RETENTION OF OUR PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF LOBBYISTS IN SACRAMENTO, WHICH IS SO CRITICAL TO PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BOATER'S INTERESTS IN SACRAMENTO'S POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT. OUR 18 VOLUNTEER DIRECTORS ARE APPOINTED BY SCYA AND PICYA AND THE DIRECTORS APPOINT OUR VOLUNTEER TREASURER. THE BOARD GENERALLY MEETS FOUR TIMES A YEAR, BUT IS IN CONTINUAL CONTACT THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA

THE CURRENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT HAS ALSO HAD AN IMPACT ON RBOC'S FINANCES. WE ENCOURAGE EACH CALIFORNIA BOATING FAMILY TO CONTRIBUTE ONLY $20 PER YEAR TO THIS EFFORT OF PROTECTING AND ENHANCING BOATER'S INTERESTS.

WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS AND INTERESTS TO YOUR LOCAL RBOC BOARD MEMBERS. INFORMATION ABOUT RBOC IS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.RBOC.ORG, ALONG WITH CURRENT NEWS, ITEMS OF INTEREST, AND DIRECTOR CONTACT INFORMATION.

WE LOOK TO 2013 TO BE A YEAR OF MORE CHALLENGES FOR ALL OF US AS WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE ENJOYMENT, PROTECTION, AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF OUR STATE'S WATERWAYS. WE CAN ONLY SUCCEED WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

SINCERELY,
JACK MICHAEL