MARINA Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7248
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:07:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The MARINA Act (H.R. 7248) aims to support marina operators who lease land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by limiting rental charges, standardizing administrative fees, extending lease durations, and restricting wage requirements in leases. It recognizes marinas' role in enhancing public access to recreational facilities managed by the Corps.
Key Provisions
- Rental Amount Limitations: For marinas under commercial leases (called "covered leases"), the Corps must exclude certain business receipts—such as those from food, beverages, fuel, boats, motors, and lifts—from the overall gross receipts used to calculate rent. A maximum rate of 1% can be applied only to these excluded receipts under the Corps' existing rental calculation system (the Revised Graduated Rental System).
- Standardized Administrative Fees: The Corps must create a uniform fee schedule across all its districts for fees charged to marina operators. Fees are capped as follows:
- Up to $50,000 for major activities, like large land disturbances (100+ acres) or projects needing high-level review and coordination with state, federal, or tribal entities.
- Up to $5,000 for moderate activities not involving land changes, which may require some coordination.
- Up to $1,000 for all other activities.
- No fees for routine lease renewals, extensions, or transfers/sales to other marina operators.
- The fee schedule must be published on the Corps' public website.
- Extended Lease Periods: Initial leases or the first renewal after enactment must last at least 50 years; subsequent renewals must last at least 25 years.
- Wage Restrictions: The Corps cannot require marina operators to pay employees more than the federal minimum wage (set by the Fair Labor Standards Act), unless otherwise mandated by federal law.
- Implementation: The Corps must issue a final rule within one year of enactment to enforce these changes. Existing leases cannot be altered except as needed to comply.
- Definitions: Key terms include "covered marina" (a marina under a commercial lease with the Corps), "combined covered receipts" (specific revenue types excluded from rent calculations), and "Secretary" (the Secretary of the Army, via the Corps Chief of Engineers).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 4 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (which governs leases at water resource projects) to mandate minimum lease lengths of 50 years for new or first-renewal leases and 25 years thereafter, replacing shorter or variable terms previously allowed.
- Introduces caps and exclusions in the Revised Graduated Rental System for rent calculations, which previously included all gross receipts without such limits.
- Establishes the first nationwide, standardized schedule for administrative fees, addressing the lack of coordination across Corps districts noted in the bill's findings.
- Prohibits certain fee assessments and wage mandates not previously restricted.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Corps of Engineers will face reduced revenue from rents and fees, potentially straining budgets for facility maintenance, but gains streamlined processes and clearer guidelines. Rulemaking within one year may require administrative resources.
- On Citizens: Improves affordability and stability for marina operations, likely leading to better public access to boating and recreational areas at Corps-managed lakes and rivers. Could indirectly support jobs in the recreational industry.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic water resource management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Marina Operators (Concessionaires): Primary beneficiaries, with lower costs, longer leases, and predictable fees to support business viability.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Must adjust leasing practices, potentially collecting less revenue but fulfilling public recreation goals more effectively.
- Public Users: Recreational boaters and visitors to Corps facilities, who may experience sustained or improved services without abrupt closures due to high costs.
- Employees of Marinas: Protected from above-minimum wage mandates in leases, though broader labor laws still apply.
- State, Federal, and Tribal Governments: Involved in reviews for major projects, with fees now tied to coordination efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces congressional oversight of federal land leasing under the Flood Control Act, promoting uniformity to prevent inconsistent district-level practices. The wage provision aligns with existing federal labor laws (e.g., Fair Labor Standards Act) without conflicting with them. Existing leases are grandfathered, minimizing retroactive legal challenges.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill exercises Congress's authority over federal property and commerce (e.g., recreational waterways), without infringing on private property rights or due process.
- Political: Supports rural and recreational economies in states with Corps projects (e.g., Kentucky, as sponsors indicate), potentially aiding bipartisan infrastructure goals. Highlights tensions between federal revenue needs and private sector support for public benefits.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Maintaining Access to Recreational Industry and Necessary Adjustments Act — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (6 pages)