[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LOTT (for himself and Mr. Kohl):
  S. 421. A bill to reauthorize programs relating to sport fishing and 
recreational boating safety, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to join Senator Lott in 
introducing legislation which is of great importance to millions of 
people throughout the country. The sport fishing and boating 
communities play a vital role in our Nation's economy, and I am pleased 
to be working with Senator Lott on legislation that will directly 
impact boaters and anglers everywhere.
  In Wisconsin, anglers and boaters are integral to the State's 
economy. Our access to the Great Lakes is only a portion of what makes 
my State an excellent boating and fishing destination. From the 
Mississippi River to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin encompasses thousands of 
acres of lakes and rivers; my State is home to more than 1.4 million 
anglers, and a destination for thousands of boating and fishing related 
tourists each year. In 2001, approximately $1 billion was spent in the 
State on fishing related activities, according to a study conducted by 
the Fish and Wildlife Service. Recreational boating is an equal partner 
to the sport fishing industry, with more than $526 million being spent 
in 2003 on powerboats and accessories. As a recreation for residents 
and draw for tourists, the contribution of water sports to Wisconsin is 
immeasurable.
  Today, Senator Lott and I are introducing legislation aimed at giving 
back to the fishing and boating communities. This legislation, however, 
would not exist if it were not for the leadership of Senator Breaux, 
who worked tirelessly on boating and fishing issues during his tenure 
in Congress. In 1984, as a member of the House of Representatives, he 
worked with then Senator Malcolm Wallop, to create the Aquatic 
Resources Trust Fund. The trust fund, commonly known as the Wallop-
Breaux Trust Fund, serves as a collection point for most of the excise 
taxes attributable to motorboat and small engine fuels, as well as the 
taxes on fishing equipment. The Wallop-Breaux fund is one of the most 
successful examples of a ``user pays, user benefits'' program; the 
excise taxes that are collected into the fund are then used on programs 
that directly benefit boaters and anglers. The funding is then 
distributed to States for activities ranging from boating safety 
education to maintaining our nation's wetlands.
  I am dedicated to continuing the legacy of Wallop-Breaux. That is why 
Senator Lott and I are introducing legislation that will reauthorize 
the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund and expand the size of the Fund. The 
legislation we are introducing today mirrors the Sport Fishing and 
Recreational Boating Safety bill in the 108th Congress, which was later 
incorporated in the Senate-passed version of the highway 
reauthorization bill. Unfortunately, the legislation was not enacted 
before the end of the last session.
  In addition to reauthorizing this important program, Senator Lott and 
I are introducing legislation that would recover approximately $110 
million per year of excise taxes currently being paid by anglers and 
boaters. Under current law, only 13.5 cents is sent to the Aquatic 
Resources Trust Fund, which is only a portion of the 18.3 cents that is 
collected on motorboat and small engine fuels. Restoring the remaining 
excise taxes will significantly boost funding for the important 
programs under the Sport Fish Restoration Act. In Wisconsin, this could 
amount to an additional $3 million annually for fishing and boating 
activities.
  I am very proud to be working with Senator Lott on this issue. 
Passing this legislation will be a top priority for me in the 109th 
Congress. It is an issue that I know is important to the people of 
Wisconsin: to boaters on the Great Lakes; to the Department of Natural 
Resources; to anglers on rivers and lakes throughout the state. I can 
assure every Senator that it is equally important to people in his or 
her State, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure 
this legislation's adoption.
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