Congressman Clay Shaw of Florida took up a call from the American League of Anglers and Boaters, introducing legislation that would recover about $110 million per year of anglers and boaters' excise tax contributions under the Sport Fish Restoration Act. The Sportfishing and Boating Equity Act of 2003, introduced today as H.R. 2839, will ensure these revenues are used to enhance fishing and boating as the Sport Fish Restoration Act intended.

"We're grateful to Congressman Shaw for protecting the interests of anglers and boaters and recognizing the significance of the investments they make in the outdoors every time they buy gear and boat fuel," said Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association and current Chair of the American League of Anglers and Boaters. "Through our strong partner coalition and with the help of champions like Congressman Shaw, we can make sure the Sport Fish Restoration Act continues to improve the outdoor experiences of millions of anglers and boaters."

"I'm pleased to be able to offer this legislation on behalf of all people who love the water and water sports. This bill will ensure that all of the tax money spent by boaters and anglers on fuel costs will flow back to the preservation and restoration of the waterways they treasure," said Shaw.

More than 10 years ago, Congress required the U.S. Treasury to redirect about 25 percent of the excise taxes on motor boat and small engine fuels each year to the General Treasury Fund instead of channeling these revenues to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.

The Sport Fish Restoration Act set up the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund as the collection point for these and other excise taxes on fishing gear. Altogether the fund amounts to about $450 million dollars each year, which is ultimately parceled to state fish and wildlife agencies as a primary source of their overall funding. Motor boat and small engine fuel taxes make up $284 million of that amount. The current tax is 18.3 cents per gallon, yet only 13.5 cents out of that 18.3 are currently being channeled to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. The new legislation would ensure the full amount is channeled to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.

Under provisions of the Sport Fish Restoration Act, the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund is to be used for fisheries monitoring; habitat conservation and restoration; fishing and boating access facilities such as docks, piers, and boat ramps; and education and safety programs for anglers and boaters. In separate legislative actions supported by the American League of Anglers and Boaters, the Sport Fish Restoration Act is currently being reauthorized by Congress, ensuring the continued success of one of the nation's most longstanding and significant conservation laws.

The American League of Anglers and Boaters includes the American Fisheries Society, American Recreation Coalition, American Sportfishing Association, American Watercraft Association, Aquatic Resources Educators Association, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN, Boat Owners Association of the U.S., Boating Trades Association of Texas, Brunswick Corporation, Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Greater Coalition for Boating Safety, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Izaak Walton League of America, Marina Operators Association of America, Marine Retailers Association of America, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, National Boating Federation, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Recreation and Park Association, National Safe Boating Council, Personal Watercraft Industry Association, Pure Fishing, Recreational Fishing Alliance, Sail America, States Organization for Boating Access, National Water Safety Congress, Trout Unlimited, United States Power Squadrons, and U.S. Sailing Association.