Sen. Linares’ boating industry bill now law [East Haddam Today]

Article as it appeared in East Haddam Today

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on June 26 signed into law a bill co-sponsored by State Sen. Art Linares that will provide a boost to Connecticut’s marine industry.

Sen. Linares represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, includes these changes:

Extends the length of time that boats stored during the winter are exempt from sales and use tax,

Extends the sales tax exemption for storing noncommercial boats by two months, by starting the period sooner and ending it later. Under current law, the period runs from Nov. 1 to April 30. Under the new law, it runs from Oct. 1 to May 31,

Extends the use tax exemption for boats brought into Connecticut only to be stored, maintained, or repaired, by ending the period one month later. Under current law, the period runs from Oct. 1 to April 30. Under the new law, it runs from Oct. 1 to May 31.

In a statement issued today (June 27) Sen. Linares noted that the new law will have a particular benefit for his state senate district, which stretches from Portland to the shoreline. He said several marine-based businesses in the region could benefit from the change in the law.

“We want to do everything we can to attract more boaters to our state, and we want to make our state a more attractive place for people to store their boats,” he said. “Storage brings in additional jobs and revenue for our marinas. It also sparks an uptick in activity at area hotels, restaurants and small businesses.”

Sen. Linares promised to continue to press for additional progress in this area in the 2014 legislative session.

“We can and should do more to make our state a more appealing place for boaters,” he said. “We should make our policies more attractive than other states. This will reinvigorate our tourism industry which is so crucial to local small business and jobs. I want Connecticut to be a magnet for boaters and for the boating industry.”

Sen. Linares urged the public to send him comments and ideas at [email protected] or at 800 842 1421.

Posted June 27, 2013 based on a press release

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