The House Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations held a hearing “Sinking the Marine Industry: How Regulations are Affecting Today’s Maritime Businesses.”

The discussion included HR 1439, which would require a physical presence in a state before any kind of gross receipts tax could be imposed. The hearing also covered regulatory actions by the Department of Labor; the planning and permitting processes for the maintenance of navigable waterways; and taxation—all within the context of job creation and economic growth for small businesses in the maritime industry.