What We're Working On - A Brief Update on Key Boating Issues

Here’s a quick update on some of the key issues RBOC’s is working on:

• Engaging with the various state and regional agencies as they take action to prevent the infestation of water bodies by the golden mussel, often imposing restrictions and prohibitions on all on-the-water activities.

• Advocating for legislation establishing an extended producer responsibility program for pyrotechnic marine flares to acknowledge that there is only one manufacturer and so that the take-back requirements are structured to ensure that the costs of implementation do not place an unreasonable burden on boaters.

• Opposing the Delta Conveyance Project that, as revised to one tunnel, would still significantly impede navigation and harm Delta recreation.

• Advocating for updates and efficiencies to state programs financed by boat registration fees to ensure they provide positive benefits to boaters and share costs with other stakeholders where appropriate – prior to an increase in boat registration fees.

• Supporting legislation to review the effectiveness of low-leach-rate paint and elevated copper concentrations in saltwater harbors, bays, and marinas that are primarily a result of the use of copper-based antifouling paint, and to determine the best methods to address elevated copper concentrations in saltwater harbors, bays, and marinas that are primarily a result of the use of this paint in the state.

• Requesting that the Outdoor Recreation for All [30x30] program identify the values of, and prioritize on-the-water opportunities within its initiatives. Clear confirmation should also be provided that the significant areas of water that have been protected over the years, including the marine life protected areas [MLPAs] count towards the 30% preservation goal.

• Raising concerns that the state’s authorization of E15 fuel will raise prices on E10 gasoline, will restrict the availability of that fuel, and will inevitably ruin many boat engines.

RBOC opposing E15 authorization legislation unless adequate supply of E10 for boats is ensured

RBOC is opposing AB 30 [Alvarez] unless the measure is amended to ensure the availability of an adequate supply of E10 gasoline as required for motorized recreational vessels in California.

 As RBOC has shared with the office of Assembly Member Alvarez as the author of AB 30:

1.       The engines in motorized recreational vessels require E10 fuel.

2.       The USEPA prohibits the use of E15 gasoline in recreational vessel engines.

3.       E15 fuel ruins the recreational vessel engines and voids the manufacturers’ warranties.

4.       The enactment of AB 30 will reduce the availability of E10 gasoline and increase its price.

5.       Requirements in other states to require labeling at the pump have not been an effective solution.

We look forward to further engagement to address and resolve these concerns. At this time, RBOC is opposed to AB 30 unless it is amended to ensure the availability of an adequate supply of E10 gasoline as required for motorized recreational vessels in California.

RBOC Directors to Lobby Boating Issues in Sacramento on March 18

Members of RBOC’s voluntary board of directors will be in Sacramento on March 18 to lobby in the State Capitol on the key 2025 issues impacting California boaters.

Members of the RBOC Board of Directors take a pause during the organization’s 2024 Legislative Day in Sacramento.

Legislation has been introduced to assist boaters who have applied low-leach-rate copper-based anti-fouling paints to their boat hulls, to require the manufacturer of pyrotechnic marine flares to create a take-back program for expired flares, to accelerate the state approval of E15 gasoline; to inventory abandoned and derelict vessels in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta, and more.

Also top of mind for the meetings and discussions with policy-makers: the structural deficit in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, the Delta Conveyance, increasing boat slip rates, the Outdoor Recreation for All initiative, and offshore wind energy development.

RBOC Urges that Ethanol-Free Sustainable Fuel Be Available for Boaters

RBOC is pointing out the potential negative ramifications for recreational boaters and urging the availability of ethanol-free sustainable fuel for boaters as the State Legislature considers legislation in the Second Extraordinary Session aimed at accelerating and increasing access to ethanol-based fuels in the California marketplace.

ABX2-9 [Petrie-Norris] is one of the measures that has been introduced in the special session that Governor announced on August 31 “to address the pernicious problem of gasoline price spikes at the pump — and save Californians hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”

The bill would:

• Require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to complete its multimedia evaluation of gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol (E15) by July 1, 2025.

• Require the California Energy Commission (CEC) to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2025, on specified potential solutions to increase the supply of gasoline identified by the 2024 CEC Transportation Fuels Assessment.

Together with our national partners BoatUS, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, American Sportfishing Association, Marine Recreation Association and other like-minded groups, RBOC appreciates the work to tackle increased fuel prices. As the Legislature considers ABX2-9, it is important to note the potential ramifications if fuels containing increased amounts of ethanol, especially E15, enter the California market.

Close to 627,000 registered boats in California could be placed at risk due to the shortcomings and destructive nature of E15 fuel. As has occurred in other states allowing the use of E15, mislabeling at fuel pumps is a common occurrence due to few consumer education and protection measures – which leads consumers to unknowingly use incompatible fuels and destroy their products.

As the Legislature considers alternative fuel initiatives and programs, RBOC is therefore encouraging the state to make available ethanol-free sustainable marine fuels to boaters, which provide an innovative solution to protect California boaters and an immediate carbon emissions reduction from existing boat propulsion systems.