79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 115–899 

MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUND FOR 

TOMORROW’S NEEDS ACT 

AUGUST 14, 2018.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. BISHOP of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 2591] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 2591) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for 

other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended 

do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act’’. 

SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 

The first section of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 

669) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘One of the purposes of this 

Act is to provide financial and technical assistance to the States for the promotion 

of hunting and recreational shooting.’’. 

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 

Section 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is 

amended— 

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as paragraphs (4) through 

(10), respectively; and 

(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 

‘‘(2) for the purposes of determining the number of paid hunting-license holders in a State, the term ‘fiscal year’ means the fiscal year or license year of the 

State; 

‘‘(3) the term ‘hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment’ means 

any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters, including by— 


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‘‘(A) using social media, marketing, advertising, surveying, television 

spots, print, and media; 

‘‘(B) providing education, mentoring, and field demonstrations; 

‘‘(C) enhancing access for hunting and recreational shooting, including 

through range construction; 

‘‘(D) providing education to the public about the role of hunting and recreational shooting in funding wildlife conservation; and 

‘‘(E) using any other means to ensure the growth of hunting and recreational shooting, as determined by the Secretary;’’. 

SEC. 4. ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS. 

(a) APPORTIONMENT TO STATES.—Section 4(b) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 

Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(b)) is amended— 

(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Secretary of the Interior’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; 

(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘Such apportionments’’ and inserting 

the following: 

‘‘(2) ADJUSTMENTS.—The apportionments under paragraph (1)’’; 

(3) by striking the third sentence; and 

(4) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.— 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), amounts apportioned 

under this subsection may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational 

shooter recruitment. 

‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—A State may make an expenditure under subparagraph 

(A) only if the amount of the expenditure during the fiscal year in which 

the expenditure is made plus the amount of the expenditures for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment made during the 4 fiscal 

years preceding that fiscal year is not greater than 25 percent of the total 

amount apportioned to the State under this subsection during that 5-fiscalyear period.’’. 

(b) APPORTIONMENT OF CERTAIN TAXES.—The first subsection (c) of section 4 of the 

Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended— 

(1) by inserting ‘‘APPORTIONMENT OF REVENUES FROM PISTOLS, REVOLVERS, 

BOWS, AND ARROWS.—’’ after the enumerator; 

(2) by striking ‘‘One-half’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 1⁄2’’; 

(3) by striking ‘‘: Provided, That’’ and inserting a period; 

(4) by striking ‘‘each State shall be apportioned not more than 3 per centum 

and not less than 1 per centum of such revenues’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(2) CONDITION.—The amount apportioned to each State under paragraph (1) 

shall be not greater than 3 percent and not less than 1 percent of the revenues 

described in such paragraph’’; 

(5) by striking ‘‘For the purpose’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(3) POPULATION DETERMINATION.—For the purpose’’; and 

(6) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(4) USE OF FUNDS.—In addition to other uses authorized under this Act, 

amounts apportioned under this subsection may be used for hunter recruitment 

and recreational shooter recruitment.’’. 

(c) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended by redesignating the second subsection (c) and 

subsection (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively. 

SEC. 5. EXPENDITURES FOR MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AREAS AND RESOURCES. 

Section 8 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669g) is 

amended— 

(1) in subsection (a), in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘and public relations’’; 

and 

(2) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘, as a part of such program’’. 

SEC. 6. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM GRANTS. 

Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 

669h–1(a)(1)(A)) is amended— 

(1) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter 

recruitment; and’’. 


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1Formally the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 917). 

2 United States Fish and Wildlife Service Certificates of Apportionment for Fiscal Years 2016, 

2017, and 2018. 3 Bolen, Eric (2003). Wildlife Ecology and Management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Pp. Chapter. 

SEC. 7. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM. 

Section 11 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h–2) 

is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘Not more than’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not more than’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY FOR HUNTER AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTER GRANTS.— Not more than $5,000,000 of the revenues covered into the fund from any 

tax imposed under section 4161(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for 

a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote 

a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.’’; 

(2) in the matter preceding subsection (b)(3)(A), by striking ‘‘International’’; 

(3) in the matter preceding subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), by striking ‘‘International’’; 

(4) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), by inserting ‘‘or to recreational shooting activities’’ after ‘‘wildlife’’; and 

(5) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘or to recreational shooting activities’’ after 

‘‘wildlife’’. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 2591 is to amend the Pittman-Robertson 

Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The Pittman-Robertson Act 1 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) uses federal 

excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment to 

fund grants to State and U.S. territory fish and wildlife agencies 

for wildlife resource projects, and to conduct hunter education programs. The excise tax, collected by the manufacturer, is set at 10% 

of the wholesale price for pistols and revolvers, and 11% for other 

firearms and shells or cartridges. An 11% tax on archery equipment is also deposited into the fund established by the PittmanRobertson Act. The tax is applied whether the equipment is likely 

to be used for hunting or not. Total apportionments to the States 

and territories were $797,160,652 in Fiscal Year 2018, 

$780,031,696 in Fiscal Year 2017 and $695,141,699 in Fiscal Year 

2016.2

Prior to passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act, many species of 

wildlife were driven to, or near extinction by commercial market 

hunting pressure and habitat degradation.3 The taxes paid by 

hunters and recreational shooters provide funds that support the 

management of wildlife populations and their habitats for both 

game and non-game animals. Preserving and enhancing this volunteer revenue source has enabled State agencies to provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities. This ‘‘user pay/public benefits’’ approach aids hunters, recreational shooters, and all citizens 

through the delivery of on-the-ground wildlife and habitat conservation by State fish and wildlife agencies. 

Increasing urbanization and suburbanization has made it more 

difficult for the public to participate in hunting and recreational 

shooting than when the Pittman-Robertson Act was first enacted in 


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1937. In an effort to recruit more hunters and ensure continued 

funding for wildlife conservation, H.R. 2591 would clarify that one 

of the purposes of the Pittman-Robertson Act is to extend financial 

and technical assistance to the States for the promotion of hunting 

and recreational shooting. The legislation would expand the definitions section of the Pittman-Robertson Act to include a definition 

of ‘‘hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment’’ activities and projects, and to make clear that Pittman-Robertson Act 

funds may be used for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment. 

H.R. 2591 also seeks to ensure that traditional wildlife conservation remains the primary focus of these funds. The legislation 

would put a cap (25%) on what can be spent on hunter and recreational shooter recruitment. The bill would also clarify, by removing an existing prohibition on ‘‘public relations,’’ that State spending for management of wildlife areas and resources may include 

spending for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting. 

The legislation would clarify that the construction, operation, and 

maintenance of public target ranges under Basic Hunter Education 

funding is not restricted to ranges that include hunter safety programs. Finally, the legislation would expand the Multistate Conservation Grant program (Section 11 of the Pittman-Robertson Act) 

by providing for an additional $5 million per year (from archeryrelated excise tax collections) to be used for making hunter and recreational shooter recruitment project grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, related 

communications, and outreach activities. 

Senator James E. Risch (R–ID) introduced a companion bill, S. 

1613. H.R. 2591 also contains target shooting range expansion language similar to H.R. 788, the Target Practice and Marksmanship 

Training Support Act, introduced by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R–CA). This text was included as Title II of H.R. 3668, the 

Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

H.R. 2591 was introduced on May 22, 2017, by Congressman 

Austin Scott (R–GA). The bill was referred to the Committee on 

Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee 

on Federal Lands. On February 15, 2018, the Subcommittee held 

a hearing on the legislation. On May 8, 2018, the Natural Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee was 

discharged by unanimous consent. Congressman Rob Bishop (R– 

UT) offered an amendment designated #1; it was adopted by unanimous consent. No further amendments were offered, and the bill, 

as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 


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COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET

ACT

1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and sections 308(a) and 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has 

received the following estimate for the bill from the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, June 8, 2018. 

Hon. ROB BISHOP, 

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2591, the Modernizing 

the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani Shankaran. 

Sincerely, 

MARK P. HADLEY

(For Keith Hall, Director). 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 2591—Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act 

H.R. 2591 would allow states to use grants awarded under the 

Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to promote hunting 

and recreational shooting. The bill also would authorize the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which administers PittmanRobertson funds, to award up to $5 million annually under its existing multistate conservation grant program to promote a national 

recruitment program for hunting and sport shooting. 

Using information from the USFWS, CBO expects that enacting 

H.R. 2591 would not affect the timing or total amount of grants 

awarded (those grants are recorded in the budget as direct spending). CBO estimates that the USFWS could incur additional administrative costs to implement changes to the multistate conservation 

grant program. Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2591 would cost less than $500,000; such 

spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 

Enacting H.R. 2591 would not affect direct spending or revenues; 

therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2591 would not increase net 

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2029. 

H.R. 2591 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Janani Shankaran. 

The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective 


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of this bill is to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration 

Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation. 

EARMARK STATEMENT

This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined under clause 9(e), 

9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4 

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 

COMPLIANCE WITH H. RES. 5 

Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any directed 

rule makings. 

Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not establish or 

reauthorize a program of the federal government known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was not included in 

any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 

pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111–139 or identified in the 

most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program Information Act (Public Law 95–220, 

as amended by Public Law 98–169) as relating to other programs. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

PITTMAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to cooperate with the States, 

through their respective State fish and game departments, in wildlife-restoration projects as hereinafter set forth; but no money apportioned under this Act to any State shall be expended therein 

until its legislature, or other State agency authorized by the State 

constitution to make laws governing the conservation of wildlife, 

shall have assented to the provision of this Act and shall have 

passed laws for the conservation of wildlife which shall include a 

prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by hunters for 

any other purpose than the administration of said State fish and 

game department, except that, until the final adjournment of the 

first regular session of the legislature held after the passage of this 

Act, the assent of the Governor of the State shall be sufficient. The 

Secretary of Agriculture and the State fish and game department 


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of each State accepting the benefits of this Act shall agree upon the 

wildlife-restoration projects to be aided in such State under the 

terms of this Act and all projects shall conform to the standards 

fixed by the Secretary of Agriculture. One of the purposes of this 

Act is to provide financial and technical assistance to the States for 

the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

As used in this Act— 

(1) the term ‘‘conservation’’ means the use of methods and 

procedures necessary or desirable to sustain healthy populations of wildlife, including all activities associated with scientific resources management such as research, census, monitoring of populations, acquisition, improvement and management of habitat, live trapping and transplantation, wildlife 

damage management, and periodic or total protection of a species or population, as well as the taking of individuals within 

wildlife stock or population if permitted by applicable State 

and Federal law; 

(2) for the purposes of determining the number of paid hunting-license holders in a State, the term ‘‘fiscal year’’ means the 

fiscal year or license year of the State; 

(3) the term ‘‘hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment’’ means any activity or project to recruit or retain 

hunters and recreational shooters, including by— 

(A) using social media, marketing, advertising, surveying, television spots, print, and media; 

(B) providing education, mentoring, and field demonstrations; 

(C) enhancing access for hunting and recreational shooting, including through range construction; 

(D) providing education to the public about the role of 

hunting and recreational shooting in funding wildlife conservation; and 

(E) using any other means to ensure the growth of hunting and recreational shooting, as determined by the Secretary; 

ø(2)¿ (4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior; 

ø(3)¿ (5) the term ‘‘State fish and game department’’ or 

‘‘State fish and wildlife department’’ means any department or 

division of department of another name, or commission, or official or officials, of a State empowered under its laws to exercise 

the functions ordinarily exercised by a State fish and game department or State fish and wildlife department. 

ø(4)¿ (6) the term ‘‘wildlife’’ means any species of wild, freeranging fauna including fish, and also fauna in captive breeding programs the object of which is to reintroduce individuals 

of a depleted indigenous species into previously occupied range; 

ø(5)¿ (7) the term ‘‘wildlife-associated recreation’’ means 

projects intended to meet the demand for outdoor activities associated with wildlife including, but not limited to, hunting and 

fishing, wildlife observation and photography, such projects as 

construction or restoration of wildlife viewing areas, observation towers, blinds, platforms, land and water trails, water access, field trialing, trail heads, and access for such projects; 


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ø(6)¿ (8) the term ‘‘wildlife conservation and restoration program’’ means a program developed by a State fish and wildlife 

department and approved by the Secretary under section 

304(d), the projects that constitute such a program, which may 

be implemented in whole or part through grants and contracts 

by a State to other State, Federal, or local agencies (including 

those that gather, evaluate, and disseminate information on 

wildlife and their habitats), wildlife conservation organizations, 

and outdoor recreation and conservation education entities 

from funds apportioned under this title, and maintenance of 

such projects; 

ø(7)¿ (9) the term ‘‘wildlife conservation education’’ means 

projects, including public outreach, intended to foster responsible natural resource stewardship; and 

ø(8)¿ (10) the term ‘‘wildlife-restoration project’’ includes the 

wildlife conservation and restoration program and means the 

selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of areas 

of land or water adaptable as feeding, resting, or breeding 

places for wildlife, including acquisition of such areas or estates or interests therein as are suitable or capable of being 

made suitable therefor, and the construction thereon or therein 

of such works as may be necessary to make them available for 

such purposes and also including such research into problems 

of wildlife management as may be necessary to efficient administration affecting wildlife resources, and such preliminary or 

incidental costs and expenses as may be incurred in and about 

such projects. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 4. ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS. 

(a) SET-ASIDE FOR EXPENSES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PITT- MAN-ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT.— (1) IN GENERAL.— (A) SET-ASIDE.—For fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year 

thereafter, of the revenues (excluding interest accruing 

under section 3(b)) covered into the fund for the fiscal 

year, the Secretary of the Interior may use not more than 

the available amount specified in subparagraph (B) for the 

fiscal year for expenses for administration incurred in implementation of this Act, in accordance with this subsection and section 9. 

(B) AVAILABLE AMOUNTS.—The available amount referred to in subparagraph (A) is— 

(i) for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002, 

$9,000,000; 

(ii) for fiscal year 2003, $8,212,000; and 

(iii) for fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of— 

(I) the available amount for the preceding fiscal 

year; and 

(II) the amount determined by multiplying— 

(aa) the available amount for the preceding 

fiscal year; and 

(bb) the change, relative to the preceding 

fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for 


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All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor. 

(2) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY; APPORTIONMENT OF UNOBLI- GATED AMOUNTS.— (A) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY.—For each fiscal year, the 

available amount under paragraph (1) shall remain available for obligation for use under that paragraph until the 

end of the fiscal year. 

(B) APPORTIONMENT OF UNOBLIGATED AMOUNTS.—Not 

later than 60 days after the end of a fiscal year, the Secretary of the Interior shall apportion among the States any 

of the available amount under paragraph (1) that remains 

unobligated at the end of the fiscal year, on the same basis 

and in the same manner as other amounts made available 

under this Act are apportioned among the States for the 

fiscal year. 

(b) APPORTIONMENT TO STATES.—øThe Secretary of the Interior¿ 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, after deducting the available 

amount under subsection (a), the amount apportioned under 

subsection (c), any amount apportioned under section 8A, and 

amounts provided as grants under sections 10 and 11, shall apportion the remainder of the revenue in said fund for each fiscal year among the several States in the following manner: 

One-half in the ratio which the area of each State bears to the 

total area of all the States, and one-half in the ratio which the 

number of paid hunting-license holders of each State in the 

second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such apportionment is made, as certified to said Secretary by the State 

fish and game departments, bears to the total number of paid 

hunting-license holders of all the States. øSuch apportionments¿ 

(2) ADJUSTMENTS.—The apportionments under paragraph (1) 

shall be adjusted equitably so that no State shall receive less 

than one-half of 1 per centum nor more than 5 per centum of 

the total amount apportioned. øThe term fiscal year as used in 

this Act shall be a period of twelve consecutive months from 

October 1 through the succeeding September 30, except that 

the period for enumeration of paid hunting-license holders 

shall be a State’s fiscal or license year.¿ 

(3) USE OF FUNDS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), amounts 

apportioned under this subsection may be used for hunter 

recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 

(B) LIMITATION.—A State may make an expenditure 

under subparagraph (A) only if the amount of the expenditure during the fiscal year in which the expenditure is 

made plus the amount of the expenditures for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment made during the 4 fiscal years preceding that fiscal year is not greater than 25 percent of the total amount apportioned to the 

State under this subsection during that 5-fiscal-year period. 

(c) øOne-half¿ 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 1⁄2 of the revenues accruing to the fund under this Act each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year 1975) from any tax imposed on pisVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Aug 15, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR899.XXX HR899

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tols, revolvers, bows, and arrows shall be apportioned among 

the States in proportion to the ratio that the population of each 

State bears to the population of all the Statesø: Provided, That 

each State shall be apportioned not more than 3 per centum 

and not less than 1 per centum of such revenues¿. (2) CONDITION.—The amount apportioned to each State under 

paragraph (1) shall be not greater than 3 percent and not less 

than 1 percent of the revenues described in such paragraph and 

Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and 

the Northern Mariana Islands shall each be apportioned onesixth of 1 per centum of such revenues. øFor the purpose¿ 

(3) POPULATION DETERMINATION.—For the purpose of this 

subsection, population shall be determined on the basis of the 

latest decennial census for which figures are available, as certified by the Secretary of Commerce. 

(4) USE OF FUNDS.—In addition to other uses authorized 

under this Act, amounts apportioned under this subsection may 

be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 

ø(c)¿ (d) APPORTIONMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RES- TORATION ACCOUNT.— (1) The Secretary of the Interior shall make the following apportionment from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration 

Account: 

(A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than 

one-half of 1 percent thereof. 

(B) to Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and 

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each 

a sum equal to not more than one-fourth of 1 percent 

thereof. 

(2)(A) The Secretary of the Interior, after making the apportionment under paragraph (1), shall apportion the remaining 

amount in the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account 

for each fiscal year among the States in the following manner: 

(i) one-third of which is based on the ratio to which the 

land area of such State bears to the total land area of all 

such States; and 

(ii) two-thirds of which is based on the ratio to which the 

population of such State bears to the total population of all 

such States. 

(B) The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be 

adjusted equitably so that no such State shall be apportioned 

a sum which is less than one percent of the amount available 

for apportionment under this paragraph for any fiscal year or 

more than five percent of such amount. 

(3) Of the amounts transferred to the Wildlife Conservation 

and Restoration Account, not to exceed 3 percent shall be 

available for any Federal expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs carried out with such amounts. 

ø(d)¿ (e) WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION PROGRAMS.— 

(1) Any State, through its fish and wildlife department, may 

apply to the Secretary of the Interior for approval of a wildlife 

conservation and restoration program, or for funds from the 


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Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account, to develop a 

program. To apply, a State shall submit a comprehensive plan 

that includes— 

(A) provisions vesting in the fish and wildlife department of the State overall responsibility and accountability 

for the program; 

(B) provisions for the development and implementation 

of— 

(i) wildlife conservation projects that expand and 

support existing wildlife programs, giving appropriate 

consideration to all wildlife; 

(ii) wildlife-associated recreation projects; and 

(iii) wildlife conservation education projects pursuant to programs under section 8(a); and 

(C) provisions to ensure public participation in the development, revision, and implementation of projects and programs required under this paragraph. 

(D) WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STRATEGY.—Within five 

years of the date of the initial apportionment, develop and 

begin implementation of a wildlife conservation strategy 

based upon the best available and appropriate scientific information and data that— 

(i) uses such information on the distribution and 

abundance of species of wildlife, including low population and declining species as the State fish and wildlife department deems appropriate, that are indicative 

of the diversity and health of wildlife of the State; 

(ii) identifies the extent and condition of wildlife 

habitats and community types essential to conservation of species identified under paragraph (1); 

(iii) identifies the problems which may adversely affect the species identified under paragraph (1) or their 

habitats, and provides for priority research and surveys to identify factors which may assist in restoration 

and more effective conservation of such species and 

their habitats; 

(iv) determines those actions which should be taken 

to conserve the species identified under paragraph (1) 

and their habitats and establishes priorities for implementing such conservation actions; 

(v) provides for periodic monitoring of species identified under paragraph (1) and their habitats and the effectiveness of the conservation actions determined 

under paragraph (4), and for adapting conservation actions as appropriate to respond to new information or 

changing conditions; 

(vi) provides for the review of the State wildlife conservation strategy and, if appropriate, revision at intervals of not more than ten years; 

(vii) provides for coordination to the extent feasible 

the State fish and wildlife department, during the development, implementation, review, and revision of 

the wildlife conservation strategy, with Federal, State, 

and local agencies and Indian tribes that manage significant areas of land or water within the State, or adVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Aug 15, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR899.XXX HR899

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minister programs that significantly affect the conservation of species identified under paragraph (1) or 

their habitats. 

(2) A State shall provide an opportunity for public participation in the development of the comprehensive plan required 

under paragraph (1). 

(3) If the Secretary finds that the comprehensive plan submitted by a State complies with paragraph (1), the Secretary 

shall approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of the State and set aside from the apportionment to the 

State made pursuant to subsection (c) an amount that shall 

not exceed 75 percent of the estimated cost of developing and 

implementing the program. 

(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), after the Secretary approves a State’s wildlife conservation and restoration 

program, the Secretary may make payments on a project that 

is a segment of the State’s wildlife conservation and restoration program as the project progresses. Such payments, including previous payments on the project, if any, shall not be more 

than the United States pro rata share of such project. The Secretary, under such regulations as he may prescribe, may advance funds representing the United States pro rata share of 

a project that is a segment of a wildlife conservation and restoration program, including funds to develop such program. 

(B) Not more than 10 percent of the amounts apportioned to 

each State under this section for a State’s wildlife conservation 

and restoration program may be used for wildlife-associated 

recreation. 

(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘State’’ shall include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 8. (a) Maintenance of wildlife-restoration projects established under the provisions of this Act shall be the duty of the 

State in accordance with their respective laws. Beginning July 1, 

1945, the term ‘‘wildlife-restoration project’’, as defined in section 

2 of this Act, shall include maintenance of completed projects. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, funds apportioned to 

a State under this Act may be expended by the State for management (exclusive of law enforcement øand public relations¿) of wildlife areas and resources. Funds from the Wildlife Conservation and 

Restoration Account may be used for a wildlife conservation education program, except that no such funds may be used for education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife. 

(b) Each State may use the funds apportioned to it under section 

4(c) to pay up to 75 per centum of the costs of a hunter safety program and the construction, operation, and maintenance of public 

target rangesø, as a part of such program¿. The non-Federal share 

of such costs may be derived from license fees paid by hunters, but 

not from other Federal grant programs. The Secretary shall issue 

not later than the 120th day after the effective date of this subsection such regulations as he deems advisable relative to the criVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Aug 15, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR899.XXX HR899

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teria for the establishment of hunter safety programs and public 

target ranges under this subsection. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 10. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM GRANTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.— 

(1) GRANTS.—Of the revenues covered into the fund, 

$7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002, and 

$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, 

shall be apportioned among the States in the manner specified 

in section 4(c) by the Secretary of the Interior and used to 

make grants to the States to be used for— 

(A) in the case of a State that has not used all of the 

funds apportioned to the State under section 4(c) for the 

fiscal year in the manner described in section 8(b)— 

(i) the enhancement of hunter education programs, 

hunter and sporting firearm safety programs, and 

hunter development programs; 

(ii) the enhancement of interstate coordination and 

development of hunter education and shooting range 

programs; 

(iii) the enhancement of bow hunter and archery 

education, safety, and development programs; øand¿ 

(iv) the enhancement of construction or development 

of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges, and 

the updating of safety features of firearm shooting 

ranges and archery ranges; and 

(v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; and 

(B) in the case of a State that has used all of the funds 

apportioned to the State under section 4(c) for the fiscal 

year in the manner described in section 8(b), any use authorized by this Act (including hunter safety programs and 

the construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges). 

(2) LIMITATION ON USE.—Under paragraph (1), a State shall 

not be required to use more than the amount described in section 8(b) for hunter safety programs and the construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges. 

(b) COST SHARING.—The Federal share of the cost of any activity 

carried out with a grant under this section shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the activity. 

(c) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY; REAPPORTIONMENT.— 

(1) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available and 

apportioned for grants under this section shall remain available only for the fiscal year for which the amounts are apportioned. 

(2) REAPPORTIONMENT.—At the end of the period of availability under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall 

apportion amounts made available that have not been used to 

make grants under this section among the States described in 

subsection (a)(1)(B) for use by those States in accordance with 

this Act. 


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SEC. 11. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.— 

(1) AMOUNT FOR GRANTS.—øNot more than¿ 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not more than $3,000,000 of the revenues covered into the fund for a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for making multistate 

conservation project grants in accordance with this section. 

(B) AVAILABILITY FOR HUNTER AND RECREATIONAL

SHOOTER GRANTS.—Not more than $5,000,000 of the revenues covered into the fund from any tax imposed under section 4161(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary exclusively for 

making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and 

shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. 

(2) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY; APPORTIONMENT.— 

(A) PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available 

under paragraph (1) shall remain available for making 

grants only for the first fiscal year for which the amount 

is made available and the following fiscal year. 

(B) APPORTIONMENT.—At the end of the period of availability under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Interior shall apportion any amounts that remain available 

among the States in the manner specified in section 4(b) 

for use by the States in the same manner as funds apportioned under section 4(b). 

(b) SELECTION OF PROJECTS.— 

(1) STATES OR ENTITIES TO BE BENEFITED.—A project shall 

not be eligible for a grant under this section unless the project 

will benefit— 

(A) at least 26 States; 

(B) a majority of the States in a region of the United 

States Fish and Wildlife Service; or 

(C) a regional association of State fish and game departments. 

(2) USE OF SUBMITTED PRIORITY LIST OF PROJECTS.—The Secretary of the Interior may make grants under this section only 

for projects identified on a priority list of wildlife restoration 

projects described in paragraph (3). 

(3) PRIORITY LIST OF PROJECTS.—A priority list referred to in 

paragraph (2) is a priority list of wildlife restoration projects 

that the øInternational¿ Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies— 

(A) prepares through a committee comprised of the 

heads of State fish and game departments (or their designees), in consultation with— 

(i) nongovernmental organizations that represent 

conservation organizations; 

(ii) sportsmen organizations; and 

(iii) industries that support or promote hunting, 

trapping, recreational shooting, bow hunting, or archery; 

(B) approves by vote of a majority of the heads of State 

fish and game departments (or their designees); and 


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(C) not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, submits 

to the Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. 

(4) PUBLICATION.—The Assistant Director for Wildlife and 

Sport Fish Restoration Programs shall publish in the Federal 

Register each priority list submitted under paragraph (3)(C). 

(c) ELIGIBLE GRANTEES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior may make a 

grant under this section only to— 

(A) a State or group of States; 

(B) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or a 

State or group of States, for the purpose of carrying out 

the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; and 

(C) subject to paragraph (2), a nongovernmental organization. 

(2) NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Any nongovernmental organization 

that applies for a grant under this section shall submit 

with the application to the øInternational¿ Association of 

Fish and Wildlife Agencies a certification that the organization— 

(i) will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or 

in part, any activity of the organization that promotes 

or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or 

trapping of wildlife or to recreational shooting activities; and 

(ii) will use the grant funds in compliance with subsection (d). 

(B) PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.—Any nongovernmental organization that is found to use grant funds in 

violation of subparagraph (A) shall return all funds received under this section and be subject to any other applicable penalties under law. 

(d) USE OF GRANTS.—A grant under this section shall not be 

used, in whole or in part, for an activity, project, or program that 

promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or 

trapping of wildlife or to recreational shooting activities. (e) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 

apply to any activity carried out under this section. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ 


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