Currently at Issue:
- Youth Sports Concussions Act
- NSGA has a call to action on this bill which would hold any seller, including sporting goods retailers and team dealers, liable for claims made by protective equipment manufacturers about the protective capabilities of their products. NSGA and other stakeholders expressed serious objections to the bill which passed the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee by a voice vote.
- Sales Tax Fairness
NSGA actively supports legislation that would even the playing field for its members who compete against Internet only sellers. Learn more about this issue...
- Repeal of Debit Card Swipe Fee Reforms (H.R. 10)
This bill would remove the reforms that lowered fees that the biggest banks can charge merchants when consumers use their debit cards at a merchant establishment.
Write your U.S. Representative
- Minimum Wage
The minimum wage issue is being debated on several levels – federal, state and local. NSGA is monitoring this issue and urges retailer and team dealer members to let NSGA know when the Association’s action is needed in your state or municipality. You can call (847) 296-6742. To get the most up-to-date information on minimum wage legislation at the state level, please click here. For information on minimum wage legislation at the local level, please click here.
- Data Breach/Data Security Learn more about this issue...
Legislation and Executive Order covering information exchange between private and public sectors
- Protecting Young Victims From Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act
This bill amends and strengthens the protections afforded to young athletes from abuse by adults. Learn more.
Successes:
- Coalition Against Unfair Stadium Taxes (removed licensed product taxes from two professional stadium financing packages)
- Net Operating Loss Carryback Act (helped ease tax burden for retailers during “Great Recession”)
- Missouri Department of Conservation jurisdiction (Governor’s veto of state bill cited and reaffirmed constitutional authority of Conservation Department over wild deer population in state where hunting has a $1 billion impact, including sales of hunting gear through member stores)
Also: NSGA continues to lead its membership in support of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP), signed into law on December 21, 2000. NSGA participates in the annual effort to maintain funding of this program, the only line item in the Department of Education budget that deals with physical education.
NSGA supports full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which was included in President Obama’s FY 2016 budget. This uses no taxpayer dollars and helps fund local and state parks and recreation areas.
For questions about government advocacy, contact Julie Pitts at jpitts@nsga.org or (847) 296-NSGA (6742), ext. 1180.