[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECREATIONAL MARINE EMPLOYMENT ACT

  (Mr. KELLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Recreational 
Marine Employment Act, which I recently introduced with broad 
bipartisan support. Through enactment of this legislation, the 
recreational marine industry will be able to create thousands of new 
jobs by ensuring that marinas, boat builders and recreational boaters 
will not have to pay the unnecessary and exorbitant insurance premiums 
under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
  Congress never intended that recreational marine jobs be covered 
under the Longshore Act, which applies to commercial ships, not 
recreational boats, since individuals who work in the recreational 
marine industry are already covered under State worker's compensation 
laws. This legislation will simply clarify that the recreational marine 
industry is exempt from the Longshore Act.
  A recent survey indicated that employers in the recreational marine 
industry would save an average of $99,000 a year if this legislation 
passes, and 95 percent of those employers would use the savings to 
create additional jobs.
  This bill would provide the common-sense clarification needed under 
the Longshore Act. I urge my colleagues to call my office today and 
sign on as a cosponsor of H.R. 1329.

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