b'LEGISLATIVE REPORTLEGISLATIVE MariTrends 2025: Advocacy, Connection, and Insights in SavannahRICHARD PATCH // LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORT hePVAAnnualConven- the connections that make the PVACruises(Buffalo,N.Y.)andTim tionatMariTrends2025community so strong. AgraofMercuryCruises(Chicago, inSavannah,Ga.,broughtIll.) co-chaired the meeting, guiding togetherindustryleaders,policy- LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEEattendees through a review of policy makers,andstakeholdersforanTAKES ACTION developments and strategic priorities.action-packedweekofeducation,Oneofthefirstsignificantgather-discussion, advocacy, and camarade- ingsduringtheconferencewastheThecommitteefirstexaminedthe rie. Held in one of the Souths mostLegislativeCommitteemeeting,dispensationoflegislationfromthe picturesquewaterfrontcities,thiswhereindustryleadersdelvedinto118th Congress (2022-2024), analyz-years event provided a critical forumthelegislativelandscapeshapingtheing its impact on the passenger vessel foraddressingkeylegislativeandfuture of passenger vessel operations.industry.Discussionsthenturned regulatory challenges while fosteringJenna Deegan-Brown of Grand Ladyto actionable strategies for the 119th Congress(2025-2026),withaneye on ensuring that PVAs legislative pri-orities remain front and center amid shifting political dynamics.A major victory discussed was the re-cent withdrawal of the North Atlantic RightWhalerule,aregulationthat wouldhavesignificantlyimpacted vessel operators along the Eastern Sea-board. The committee acknowledged the efforts of U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) who took on a leadership role in questioning the scope and reach of the proposed rule.With a new presidential administration set to take office, PVA leaders explored potential collaborations with the Mar-itimeAdministration(MARAD)to advance industry priorities. MARADs role in promoting waterborne transpor-tation and shipbuilding makes it a crit-ical ally, and PVA is keen to strengthen these ties in the coming years.The committee also reaffirmed sup-portfortwokeyfederalprograms: FOGHORN 36'