Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act

To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act 2. Purpose The first section of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669 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. 3. Definitions Section 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669a (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as paragraphs (4) through (11), 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 (3) the term hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment (A) outreach and communications as a means— (i) to improve communications with hunters, recreational shooters, and the general public with respect to hunting and recreational shooting opportunities; (ii) to reduce barriers to participation in these activities; (iii) to advance the adoption of sound hunting and recreational shooting practices; (iv) to promote conservation and the responsible use of the wildlife resources of the United States; and (v) to further safety in hunting and recreational shooting; (B) providing education, mentoring, and field demonstrations; (C) enhancing access for hunting and recreational shooting, including through range construction; and (D) providing education to the public about the role of hunting and recreational shooting in funding wildlife conservation; . 4. Apportionment of available amounts (a) Apportionment of certain taxes The first subsection (c) of section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669c (1) by inserting Apportionment of revenues from pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows (2) by striking One-half (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), ½ ; (3) by striking : Provided (4) by striking 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 that paragraph ; (5) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking one-sixth of 1 per centum of such revenues 1/6 (6) by striking For the purpose (3) Population determination For the purpose ; and (7) 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. . (b) Technical correction Section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669c 5. Expenditures for management of wildlife areas and resources Section 8 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669g (1) in subsection (a), in the third sentence, by striking and public relations (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking , as a part of such program 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) (1) in clause (iii), by striking and (2) by adding at the end the following: (v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; and . 7. Multistate conservation grant program (a) In general Section 11 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669h–2 (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) by striking Not more than (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) ; (2) in subsection (b)(3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking International (3) in subsection (c)(2)(A)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking International (B) in clause (i), by inserting or to recreational shooting activities wildlife (4) in subsection (d), by inserting or to recreational shooting activities wildlife (b) Study Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall— (1) review and evaluate the effects of the funds made available under subparagraph (B) of section 11(a)(1) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act ( 16 U.S.C. 669h–2(a)(1) (2) submit a report describing the results of the review and evaluation under paragraph (1) to— (A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

Summary: Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act This bill revises provisions of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act relating to the funding of wildlife conservation. Specifically, the bill adds new definitions, including a definition of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; apportions to states revenues from taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows at a rate not greater than 3% and not less than 1% of such revenues; removes the existing prohibition on public relations to allow spending by states for management of wildlife areas and promotion of hunting and recreational shooting; allows the use of grant funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; and expands the Multistate Conservation Grant program by providing $5 million exclusively for making hunter and recreational shooter recruitment project grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Fish and Wildlife Service shall review and evaluate the effects of funds used for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment on funds available for wildlife conservation.