Congressman James Comer of Kentucky has reintroduced the MARINA Act, legislation aimed at creating fairer and more transparent fee structures for marina owners — particularly in western Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, which has the highest number of marinas in the Commonwealth.
Comer says a Government Accountability Office study found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has imposed inconsistent and sometimes excessive administrative fees on local marina operators, creating uncertainty for small businesses in tourism-dependent communities.
As chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Comer says he has worked to hold the Corps accountable and is now pushing for a legislative fix.
The MARINA Act would establish a standardized method for calculating fees, cap certain low-margin sales—such as food, fuel, and boat-related items—at one percent when determining annual rent, and ensure marina owners maintain control over payroll costs. The bill also limits when administrative fees can be charged, extends initial marina lease terms to 50 years with 25-year renewals, and requires greater transparency from the Corps.
Comer has raised concerns about the Corps’ fee practices since 2021, requested a GAO study in 2022, and held a congressional field hearing in Jamestown in 2024 to examine complaints from marina owners about unpredictable and excessive fees.
Wednesday and Thursday, Comer will be attending several regional economic development events, following the approval of several federal appropriations.
