ADVOCACY

WHY WE ADVOCATE

WHY WE ADVOCATE

  • Maintain favorable sales tax for industry

  • Educate lawmakers about the marine industry.

  • Stay abreast of new legislation and regulations that can impact marine-trades businesses

  • Continue to position RIMTA as a regional and national innovation leader in workforce development and manufacturing.

support online:

SUPPORT

No sales tax on boats in Rhode Island is considered RIMTA’s signature legislative achievement. RIMTA’s Legislative Committee and the lobbying firm it works with have an ongoing job: to monitor pending legislation that can impact the Rhode Island marine trades, and to keep lawmakers educated about our industry and its impact on the state’s economy so favorable legislation stays in place.

Rhode Island has a no-sales-tax policy on boats and boating services. The policy was put into effect in 1993, thanks to the efforts of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA). Boating is important to the economic life of the state, and policy makers have long recognized the benefits of fostering the health of Rhode Island’s marine trades while also attracting more boaters to its shores. The rule can apply to boats that are purchased in Rhode Island and registered in the state. 

There is also no property tax on boats in Rhode Island. Rhode Island does not have a property tax on boats, so if you make the Ocean State your boating home you won’t be paying those taxes year after year. According to the latest statistics, approximately half of the registered boaters in Rhode Island live in other states—so if you are not a resident of Rhode Island, you will be joining many others who have decided that an Ocean State berth is the way to go.

The no-sales-tax policy also applies to boating services. That means repairs, refits, storage, dockage and mooring fees. You won’t pay sales tax on these services—except for the parts and products used in any work you have done to your boat. 

All these policies benefit the boating industry in Rhode Island as well as the consumers who choose to take advantage of the state’s policies.

the rimta political
action
commitee

To complement the activities of RIMTA’a Legislative Committee, RIMTA has its own political action committee. PACs support legislators and legislation that are in alignment with their parent organization’s positions. When RIMTA members have an issue with pending or existing legislation, they can channel their concerns through RIMTA. We represent a block of over 1700 companies working in Rhode Island’s marine-trades sector, tallying over 13,300 jobs and $2.65 billion in gross sales. When RIMTA speaks, policymakers listen. Being able to tap into these advocacy efforts is one of the greatest benefits of RIMTA membership.

WHAT RIMTA
MEMBERS CAN DO

Doing advocacy work on the part of the Rhode Island marine trades requires the cooperation of all members. Your RIMTA dues supports the lobbying firm we work with, so paying your dues is an important part of our ability to advocate on your behalf. Members’ participation in any surveys RIMTA does is critical: this data enables our Legislative Committee to educate lawmakers with the latest stats.