Public Policy Agenda

SFIA is committed to advancing the benefits of sports and fitness to increase participation for more active lifestyles and creating the best environment for getting industry products to market.

Click here to download a copy of SFIA’s Public Policy Agenda.

INCREASE PARTICIPATION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Invest in Sports and Recreation Infrastructure

End Activity Deserts: Build facilities, courts, rinks, and other active lifestyle infrastructure for a more active and healthier America

  • Youth Sports Infrastructure Act
  • PLAYS for Youth Sports Act
  • National Youth Sports Strategy Champion

Assist Families with Youth Activity Expenses

The youth sports/activity barrier continues to rise and push kids to the sidelines: SFIA promotes policies to lower the cost of family activity

  • The PHIT Act
  • HHS Grants
    – Free sports programming in underserved communities
    – Fund sports programming in high substance abuse communities
  • Defense Grants
    – Targeted funds for physical activity to communities with high military recruitment

Incentivize Active Lifestyles to Encourage Adult Fitness

Promote expansion of popular pre-tax medical accounts to cover activity expenses for improved health

  • The PHIT Act

Dedicated Funding for Physical Education/Team Sports in Schools

Reduce the barrier to high school sports and increase P.E.: Create grants dedicated to P.E. and school sports to promote healthy lifestyles and eliminate the pay-to-play sports model in schools

  • Education and Health Grants
    – Designated to regular P.E. and school sports
    – Include dedicated funding for school sports facilities in education budgets

Medical and Science-based Physical Activity for Health

Use available scientific and medical research to establish best practices for healthy lifestyles

  • Support physical activity recommendations

TRADE, TARIFFS, AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Tariff Relief to Lower Costs and Facilitate Trade

Tariffs increase costs of products and serve as trade barriers: Reduce/eliminate unnecessary tariffs

  • Eliminate Section 301 Tariffs or re-open transparent Section 301 China Exclusion Process
  • Renew the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB)
  • Re-authorize the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
  • Encourage U.S. to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Invest in Port and Domestic Shipping Infrastructure to Improve U.S. Supply Chains

Upgrade U.S. shipping infrastructure to alleviate domestic bottlenecks in the supply chain

  • Dedicate infrastructure funds to ports, rail, and highway transportation

Enforce Ocean Shipping Reform Act to Reign in Abuses by Shipping Companies

Ensure Shippers are following the rules on Detention & Demurrage charges and utilizing shipping capacity appropriately for U.S. export

  • Provide Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) the resources needed to ensure compliance with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA)

Avoid Unnecessary Domestic Supply Chain Disruptions

Keep West Coast Ports operating at full capacity during labor negotiations

  • Request Administration intervention in West Coast Port labor talks to prevent any slowdowns or disruptions in the flow of commerce

Enter Into New Free Trade Agreements to Level Playing Field for U.S. Manufacturers

No Free Trade Agreements since 2012 outside of USMCA; give President authority to negotiate trade agreements without Congressional amendments

  • Encourage U.S. to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
  • Pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to negotiate Free Trade Agreements

Protect U.S. Intellectual Property Rights From Overseas Theft

Enforcement of international IPR laws vary from country to country: Use sanctions and penalties to discourage production of counterfeit products

  • Pass legislation to increase penalties and improve protections for U.S. companies’ intellectual property
  • Impose additional sanctions on countries in violation of World Trade Organization’s (WTO) IPR Rules

Trade Law Compliance

Support efforts to keep products made with forced labor or using illegally harvested wood out of U.S. stream of commerce. Press for reasonable enforcement of labor and content laws and increased efficiency in the cargo screening and seizure process.

  • Encourage Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tighten scope of its forced labor product seizure

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Determine Economic Contribution of Active Lifestyle Industry Across the U.S.

Pursue Bureau of Economic Analysis Economic Impact Studies for:

  • Youth Sports
  • Adult Fitness/Sports
  • Outdoor Recreation

EQUIPMENT SAFETY AND REGULATIONS

Sensible Regulation of Sports and Fitness Equipment

Keep government from over-regulating sports products to preserve industry leadership on protective equipment

  • Protect manufacturers from Consumer Product Safety Commission overreach
  • Promote policies focused on science-based evidence to protect youth athletes
  • Require reasonable interpretation of Prop 65 content restrictions

 

Protections and Protocols for Injured Youth Athletes

Ensure proper policies are in place to provide resources and services for diagnosis, treatment, and return to play from injury.

  • Support policies and legislation to protect student athletes
  • Preserve balance between reasonable equipment regulation and safety