The Recreational Performance Outerwear Apparel Act of 2008 (S. 3439) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Both are members of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade related legislation. The bill is a Senate companion to H.R. 6483, the House version of the bill that was introduced last month by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).
 
“The outdoor industry is an economic engine in my state of Colorado,” commented Senator Salazar. “In addition to the thousands of Coloradans every year who enjoy hiking, climbing, hunting, and other outdoor activities, the outdoor industry supports over 100,000 jobs in the state and is a vital part of Colorado’s economy.  Eliminating these excessive tariffs will help this industry thrive in Colorado and will make high performance products more affordable for consumers.”


Senator Crapo added,”Getting outside for recreation is also good for the health and spirit. The availability of affordable recreational performance outerwear is a central part of ensuring that more people can benefit from exploring our nation’s vast natural resources.”


 

OIA was instrumental in developing the first-ever trade legislation specifically for outdoor performance apparel manufacturers that creates new tariff classifications for specific types of recreational performance outerwear, makes those specific products duty free and invests in U.S. technologies and jobs that focus on sustainable, environmentally-conscious manufacturing and streamlined supply chains.

 

The OIA Government Affairs team has spent two years working on this important legislation on behalf of the outdoor industry. The high tariffs in question have remained unchanged for decades, despite significant technological advances in performance outerwear manufacturing. For example, high-tech ski pants are currently classified in the same general category as polyester dress slacks and high-performance jackets are taxed in the same category as generic windbreakers. A July, 2007 report by the International Trade Commission (ITC) found there is no commercially viable production of recreational performance outerwear in the United States, highlighting the need for legislation to correct what amounts to a regressive tax on outdoor industry businesses.