(2) FEDERAL PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT OFFI-
CIALS.—The term ‘‘Federal public land management 
officials’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Director of the Bureau of Land Management re-
garding Bureau of Land Management lands and 
waters; and 
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
Chief of the Forest Service regarding the Na-
tional Forest System. 
(3) HUNTING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the term ‘‘hunting’’ means 
use of a firearm, bow, or other authorized means 
in the lawful— 
(i) pursuit, shooting, capture, collec-
tion, trapping, or killing of wildlife; 
(ii) attempt to pursue, shoot, capture, 
collect, trap, or kill wildlife; or 
(iii) the training of hunting dogs, in-
cluding field trials. 
(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘‘hunting’’ does 
not include the use of skilled volunteers to cull 
excess animals (as defined by other Federal law). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(4) RECREATIONAL
FISHING.—The term ‘‘rec-
reational fishing’’ means the lawful— 
(A) pursuit, capture, collection, or killing of 
fish; or 
(B) attempt to capture, collect, or kill fish. 
(5) RECREATIONAL SHOOTING.—The term ‘‘rec-
reational shooting’’ means any form of sport, train-
ing, competition, or pastime, whether formal or infor-
mal, that involves the discharge of a rifle, handgun, 
or shotgun, or the use of a bow and arrow. 
SEC. 403. RECREATIONAL FISHING, HUNTING, AND SHOOT-
ING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights and 
subsection (g), and cooperation with the respective State 
fish and wildlife agency, Federal public land management 
officials shall exercise authority under existing law, includ-
ing provisions regarding land use planning, to facilitate 
use of and access to Federal public lands, including Na-
tional Monuments, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study 
Areas, and lands administratively classified as wilderness 
eligible or suitable and primitive or semi-primitive areas, 
for recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting, except as 
limited by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) statutory authority that authorizes action or 
withholding action for reasons of national security, 
public safety, or resource conservation; 
(2) any other Federal statute that specifically 
precludes recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting on 
specific Federal public lands, waters, or units thereof; 
or 
(3) discretionary limitations on recreational 
fishing, hunting, and shooting determined to be nec-
essary and reasonable as supported by the best sci-
entific evidence and advanced through a transparent 
public process. 
(b) MANAGEMENT.—Consistent with subsection (a), the 
head of each Federal public land management agency shall 
exercise its land management discretion— 
(1) in a manner that supports and facilitates 
recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting opportuni-
ties; 
(2) to the extent authorized under applicable 
State law; and 
(3) in accordance with applicable Federal law. 
(c) PLANNING.— 
(1) EVALUATION OF EFFECTS ON OPPORTUNITIES 
TO ENGAGE IN RECREATIONAL FISHING, HUNTING, OR 
SHOOTING.—Federal public land planning documents, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
including land resources management plans, resource 
management plans, and comprehensive conservation 
plans, shall include a specific evaluation of the effects 
of such plans on opportunities to engage in rec-
reational fishing, hunting, or shooting. 
(2) NO
MAJOR
FEDERAL
ACTION.—No action 
taken under this title, or under section 4 of the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd), either individually or cumu-
latively with other actions involving Federal public 
lands or lands managed by the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service, shall be considered under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to be a major Federal action sig-
nificantly affecting the quality of the human environ-
ment, and no additional identification, analysis, or 
consideration of environmental effects, including cu-
mulative effects, is necessary or required with respect 
to such an action. 
(3) OTHER ACTIVITY NOT CONSIDERED.—Federal 
public land management officials are not required to 
consider the existence or availability of recreational 
fishing, hunting, or shooting opportunities on adja-
cent or nearby public or private lands in the plan-
ning for or determination of which Federal public 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
lands are open for these activities or in the setting of 
levels of use for these activities on Federal public 
lands, unless the combination or coordination of such 
opportunities would enhance the recreational fishing, 
hunting, or shooting opportunities available to the 
public. 
(d) FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS.— 
(1) LANDS
OPEN.—Notwithstanding any other 
law, lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of 
Land Management or the Forest Service, including 
Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, lands des-
ignated as wilderness or administratively classified as 
wilderness eligible or suitable and primitive or semi- 
primitive areas and National Monuments, but exclud-
ing lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, shall be 
open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting 
unless the managing Federal agency acts to close 
lands to such activity. Lands may be made subject to 
closure to or restriction on recreational fishing, hunt-
ing, or shooting if determined by the head of the agen-
cy concerned to be necessary and reasonable and sup-
ported by facts and evidence, for purposes including 
resource conservation, public safety, energy or min-
eral production, energy generation or transmission 
infrastructure, water supply facilities, protection of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
other permittees, protection of private property rights 
or interest, national security, or compliance with 
other law. 
(2) SHOOTING RANGES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The head of each Federal 
agency shall use his or her authorities in a man-
ner consistent with this title and other applicable 
law, to— 
(i) lease or permit use of lands under 
the jurisdiction of the agency for shooting 
ranges; and 
(ii) designate specific lands under the 
jurisdiction of the agency for recreational 
shooting activities. 
(B) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.—Any des-
ignation under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not 
subject the United States to any civil action or 
claim for monetary damages for injury or loss of 
property or personal injury or death caused by 
any activity occurring at or on such designated 
lands. 
(e) NECESSITY IN WILDERNESS AREAS AND ‘‘WITHIN 
AND SUPPLEMENTAL TO’’ WILDERNESS PURPOSES.— 
(1) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRA-
TION.—The provision of opportunities for recreational 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
fishing, hunting, and shooting and the conservation of 
fish and wildlife to provide sustainable use rec-
reational opportunities on designated Federal wilder-
ness areas shall constitute measures necessary to meet 
the minimum requirements for the administration of 
the wilderness area, provided that this determination 
shall not authorize or facilitate commodity develop-
ment, use, or extraction, motorized recreational access 
or use that is not otherwise allowed under the Wilder-
ness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), or permanent road 
construction or maintenance within designated wil-
derness areas. 
(2) APPLICATION OF WILDERNESS ACT.—Provi-
sions of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 
stipulating that wilderness purposes are ‘‘within and 
supplemental to’’ the purposes of the underlying Fed-
eral land unit are reaffirmed. When seeking to carry 
out fish and wildlife conservation programs and 
projects or provide fish and wildlife dependent recre-
ation opportunities on designated wilderness areas, 
the head of each Federal agency shall implement these 
supplemental purposes so as to facilitate, enhance, or 
both, but not to impede the underlying Federal land 
purposes when seeking to carry out fish and wildlife 
conservation programs and projects or provide fish 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
and wildlife dependent recreation opportunities in 
designated wilderness areas, provided that such im-
plementation shall not authorize or facilitate com-
modity development, use or extraction, or permanent 
road construction or use within designated wilderness 
areas. 
(f) REPORT.—Beginning on the second October 1 after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially on Octo-
ber 1 thereafter, the head of each Federal agency who has 
authority to manage Federal public land on which rec-
reational fishing, hunting, or shooting occurs shall submit 
to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate a report that describes— 
(1) any Federal public land administered by the 
agency head that was closed to recreational fishing, 
hunting, or shooting at any time during the pre-
ceding year; and 
(2) the reason for the closure. 
(g) CLOSURES OR SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS OF 640 
OR MORE ACRES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Other than closures estab-
lished or prescribed by land planning actions referred 
to in subsection (d) or emergency closures described in 
paragraph (3) of this subsection, a permanent or tem-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
porary withdrawal, change of classification, or change 
of management status of Federal public land that ef-
fectively closes or significantly restricts 640 or more 
contiguous acres of Federal public land to access or 
use for recreational fishing or hunting or activities 
related to recreational fishing or hunting, or both, 
shall take effect only if, before the date of withdrawal 
or change, the head of the Federal agency that has ju-
risdiction over the Federal public land— 
(A) publishes appropriate notice of the 
withdrawal or change, respectively; 
(B) demonstrates that coordination has oc-
curred with a State fish and wildlife agency; 
and 
(C) submits to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate written notice of the withdrawal or 
change, respectively. 
(2) AGGREGATE OR CUMULATIVE EFFECTS.—If 
the aggregate or cumulative effect of separate with-
drawals or changes effectively closes or significantly 
restricts 1,280 or more acres of land or water, such 
withdrawals and changes shall be treated as a single 
withdrawal or change for purposes of paragraph (1). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(3) EMERGENCY
CLOSURES.—Nothing in this 
title prohibits a Federal land management agency 
from establishing or implementing emergency closures 
or restrictions of the smallest practicable area to pro-
vide for public safety, resource conservation, national 
security, or other purposes authorized by law. Such 
an emergency closure shall terminate after a reason-
able period of time unless converted to a permanent 
closure consistent with this title. 
(h) NATIONAL
PARK
SERVICE
UNITS
NOT
AF-
FECTED.—Nothing in this title shall affect or modify man-
agement or use of units of the National Park System. 
(i) NO PRIORITY.—Nothing in this title requires a 
Federal land management agency to give preference to rec-
reational fishing, hunting, or shooting over other uses of 
Federal public land or over land or water management pri-
orities established by Federal law. 
(j) CONSULTATION WITH COUNCILS.—In fulfilling the 
duties set forth in this Act, the heads of Federal agencies 
shall consult with respective advisory councils as established 
in Executive Order Nos. 12962 and 13443. 
(k) AUTHORITY OF THE STATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title shall be 
construed as interfering with, diminishing, or con-
flicting with the authority, jurisdiction, or responsi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
bility of any State to exercise primary management, 
control, or regulation of fish and wildlife under State 
law (including regulations) on land or water within 
the State, including on Federal public land. 
(2) FEDERAL LICENSES.—Nothing in this title 
shall be construed to authorize the head of a Federal 
agency to require a license, fee, or permit to fish, 
hunt, or trap on land or water in a State, including 
on Federal public land in the States, except that this 
paragraph shall not affect the Migratory Bird Stamp 
requirement set forth in the Migratory Bird Hunting 
and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718 et seq.). 
SEC. 404. VOLUNTEER HUNTERS; REPORTS; CLOSURES AND 
RESTRICTIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section: 
(1) PUBLIC
LAND.—The term ‘‘public land’’ 
means— 
(A) units of the National Park System; 
(B) National Forest System lands; and 
(C) land and interests in land owned by the 
United States and under the administrative ju-
risdiction of— 
(i) the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service; or 
(ii) the Bureau of Land Management. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(2) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means— 
(A) the Secretary of the Interior and in-
cludes the Director of the National Park Service, 
with regard to units of the National Park Sys-
tem; 
(B) the Secretary of the Interior and in-
cludes the Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, with regard to United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters; 
(C) the Secretary of the Interior and in-
cludes the Director of the Bureau of Land Man-
agement, with regard to Bureau of Land Man-
agement lands and waters; and 
(D) the Secretary of Agriculture and in-
cludes the Chief of the Forest Service, with re-
gard to National Forest System lands. 
(3) VOLUNTEER
FROM
THE
HUNTING
COMMU-
NITY.—The term ‘‘volunteer from the hunting commu-
nity’’ means a volunteer who holds a valid hunting 
license issued by a State. 
(b) VOLUNTEER HUNTERS.—When planning wildlife 
management involving reducing the size of a wildlife popu-
lation on public land, the Secretary shall consider the use 
of and may use volunteers from the hunting community as 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
agents to assist in carrying out wildlife management on 
public land. The Secretary shall not reject the use of volun-
teers from the hunting community as agents without the 
concurrence of the appropriate State wildlife management 
authorities. 
(c) REPORT.—Beginning on the second October 1 after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially on Octo-
ber 1 thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate a report that describes— 
(1) any public land administered by the Sec-
retary that was closed to fishing, hunting, and rec-
reational shooting at any time during the preceding 
year; and 
(2) the reason for the closure. 
(d) CLOSURES OR SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Other than closures estab-
lished or prescribed by land planning actions referred 
to in section 604(e) or emergency closures described in 
paragraph (2), a permanent or temporary with-
drawal, change of classification, or change of manage-
ment status of public land that effectively closes or 
significantly restricts any acreage of public land to 
access or use for fishing, hunting, recreational shoot-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
ing, or activities related to fishing, hunting, or rec-
reational shooting, or a combination of those activi-
ties, shall take effect only if, before the date of with-
drawal or change, the Secretary— 
(A) publishes appropriate notice of the 
withdrawal or change, respectively; 
(B) demonstrates that coordination has oc-
curred with a State fish and wildlife agency; 
and 
(C) submits to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate written notice of the withdrawal or 
change, respectively. 
(2) EMERGENCY
CLOSURES.—Nothing in this 
Act prohibits the Secretary from establishing or im-
plementing emergency closures or restrictions of the 
smallest practicable area to provide for public safety, 
resource conservation, national security, or other pur-
poses authorized by law. Such an emergency closure 
shall terminate after a reasonable period of time un-
less converted to a permanent closure consistent with 
this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
SEC. 405. WITHDRAWAL OF EXISTING RULE REGARDING 
HUNTING AND TRAPPING IN ALASKA. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall withdraw the 
final rule entitled ‘‘Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in Na-
tional Preserves’’ and published in the Federal Register on 
October 23, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 64325), and shall not issue 
a rule that is substantially similar to that rule. 
TITLE V—FARMER AND HUNTER 
PROTECTION ACT 
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Hunter and Farmer 
Protection Act’’. 
SEC. 502. BAITING OF MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS. 
Section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 
704) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITION OF BAITING.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) BAITED AREA.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘baited 
area’ means— 
‘‘(I) any area on which salt, 
grain, or other feed has been placed, 
exposed, deposited, distributed, or scat-
tered, if the salt, grain, or feed could 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
lure or attract migratory game birds; 
and 
‘‘(II) in the case of waterfowl, 
cranes (family Gruidae), and coots 
(family 
Rallidae), 
a 
standing, 
unharvested crop that has been manip-
ulated through activities such as mow-
ing, discing, or rolling, unless the ac-
tivities are normal agricultural prac-
tices. 
‘‘(ii) EXCLUSIONS.—An area shall not 
be considered to be a ‘baited area’ if the 
area— 
‘‘(I) has been treated with a nor-
mal agricultural practice; 
‘‘(II) has standing crops that have 
not been manipulated; or 
‘‘(III) has standing crops that 
have been or are flooded. 
‘‘(B) BAITING.—The term ‘baiting’ means 
the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depos-
iting, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or 
other feed that could lure or attract migratory 
game birds to, on, or over any areas on which 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
a hunter is attempting to take migratory game 
birds. 
‘‘(C) MIGRATORY
GAME
BIRD.—The term 
‘migratory game bird’ means migratory bird 
species— 
‘‘(i) that are within the taxonomic 
families of Anatidae, Columbidae, Gruidae, 
Rallidae, and Scolopacidae; and 
‘‘(ii) for which open seasons are pre-
scribed by the Secretary of the Interior. 
‘‘(D) NORMAL AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘normal 
agricultural practice’ means any practice 
in one annual growing season that— 
‘‘(I) is carried out in order to 
produce a marketable crop, including 
planting, harvest, postharvest, or soil 
conservation practices; and 
‘‘(II) is recommended for the suc-
cessful harvest of a given crop by the 
applicable State office of the Coopera-
tive Extension System of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, in consultation 
with, and if requested, the concurrence 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
of, the head of the applicable State de-
partment of fish and wildlife. 
‘‘(ii) INCLUSIONS.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to 
subclause (II), the term ‘normal agri-
cultural practice’ includes the destruc-
tion of a crop in accordance with prac-
tices required by the Federal Crop In-
surance Corporation for agricultural 
producers to obtain crop insurance 
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) on land on 
which a crop during the current or im-
mediately preceding crop year was not 
harvestable due to a natural disaster 
(including any hurricane, storm, tor-
nado, flood, high water, wind-driven 
water, tidal wave, tsunami, earth-
quake, volcanic eruption, landslide, 
mudslide, drought, fire, snowstorm, or 
other catastrophe that is declared a 
major disaster by the President in ac-
cordance with section 401 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
gency 
Assistance 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
5170)). 
‘‘(II) 
LIMITATIONS.—The 
term 
‘normal agricultural practice’ only in-
cludes a crop described in subclause (I) 
that has been destroyed or manipulated 
through activities that include (but are 
not limited to) mowing, discing, or 
rolling if the Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation certifies that flooding was 
not an acceptable method of destruction 
to obtain crop insurance under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq.). 
‘‘(E) WATERFOWL.—The term ‘waterfowl’ 
means native species of the family Anatidae. 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any 
person— 
‘‘(A) to take any migratory game bird by 
baiting or on or over any baited area, if the per-
son knows or reasonably should know that the 
area is a baited area; or 
‘‘(B) to place or direct the placement of bait 
on or adjacent to an area for the purpose of 
causing, inducing, or allowing any person to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
take or attempt to take any migratory game bird 
by baiting or on or over the baited area. 
‘‘(3) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior may promulgate regulations to implement this 
subsection.’’. 
TITLE VI—TRANSPORTING BOWS 
ACROSS 
NATIONAL 
PARK 
SERVICE LANDS 
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Hunter Access Cor-
ridors Act’’. 
SEC. 602. BOWHUNTING OPPORTUNITY AND WILDLIFE 
STEWARDSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 1015 of 
title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 101513. Hunter access corridors 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) NOT
READY
FOR
IMMEDIATE
USE.—The 
term ‘not ready for immediate use’ means— 
‘‘(A) a bow or crossbow, the arrows of which 
are secured or stowed in a quiver or other arrow 
transport case; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to a crossbow, uncocked. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) VALID HUNTING LICENSE.—The term ‘valid 
hunting license’ means a State-issued hunting license 
that authorizes an individual to hunt on private or 
public land adjacent to the System unit in which the 
individual is located while in possession of a bow or 
crossbow that is not ready for immediate use. 
‘‘(b) TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall not re-
quire a permit for, or promulgate or enforce any reg-
ulation that prohibits an individual from trans-
porting bows and crossbows that are not ready for 
immediate use across any System unit if— 
‘‘(A) in the case of an individual traversing 
the System unit on foot— 
‘‘(i) the individual is not otherwise 
prohibited by law from possessing the bows 
and crossbows; 
‘‘(ii) the bows or crossbows are not 
ready for immediate use throughout the pe-
riod during which the bows or crossbows are 
transported across the System unit; 
‘‘(iii) the possession of the bows and 
crossbows is in compliance with the law of 
the State in which the System unit is lo-
cated; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iv)(I) the individual possesses a 
valid hunting license; 
‘‘(II) the individual is traversing the 
System unit en route to a hunting access 
corridor established under subsection (c)(1); 
or 
‘‘(III) the individual is traversing the 
System unit in compliance with any other 
applicable regulations or policies; or 
‘‘(B) the bows or crossbows are not ready 
for immediate use and remain inside a vehicle. 
‘‘(2) ENFORCEMENT.—Nothing in this subsection 
limits the authority of the Director to enforce laws 
(including regulations) prohibiting hunting or the 
taking of wildlife in any System unit. 
‘‘(c) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
HUNTER
ACCESS
COR-
RIDORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On a determination by the 
Director under paragraph (2), the Director may es-
tablish and publish (in accordance with section 1.5 of 
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
regulation)), on a publicly available map, hunter ac-
cess corridors across System units that are used to ac-
cess public land that is— 
‘‘(A) contiguous to a System unit; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) open to hunting. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION BY DIRECTOR.—The deter-
mination referred to in paragraph (1) is a deter-
mination that the hunter access corridor would pro-
vide wildlife management or visitor experience bene-
fits within the boundary of the System unit in which 
the hunter access corridor is located. 
‘‘(3) HUNTING SEASON.—The hunter access cor-
ridors shall be open for use during hunting seasons. 
‘‘(4) EXCEPTION.—The Director may establish 
limited periods during which access through the hun-
ter access corridors is closed for reasons of public safe-
ty, administration, or compliance with applicable 
law. Such closures shall be clearly marked with signs 
and dates of closures, and shall not include gates, 
chains, walls, or other barriers on the hunter access 
corridor. 
‘‘(5) IDENTIFICATION OF CORRIDORS.—The Di-
rector shall— 
‘‘(A) make information regarding hunter 
access corridors available on the individual 
website of the applicable System unit; and 
‘‘(B) provide information regarding any 
processes established by the Director for trans-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
porting legally taken game through individual 
hunter access corridors. 
‘‘(6) 
REGISTRATION; 
TRANSPORTATION
OF 
GAME.—The Director may— 
‘‘(A) provide registration boxes to be located 
at the trailhead of each hunter access corridor for 
self-registration; 
‘‘(B) provide a process for online self-reg-
istration; and 
‘‘(C) allow nonmotorized conveyances to 
transport legally taken game through a hunter 
access corridor established under this subsection, 
including game carts and sleds. 
‘‘(7) CONSULTATION WITH STATES.—The Direc-
tor shall consult with each applicable State wildlife 
agency to identify appropriate hunter access cor-
ridors. 
‘‘(d) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section— 
‘‘(1) diminishes, enlarges, or modifies any Fed-
eral or State authority with respect to hunting, rec-
reational shooting, or any other recreational activities 
within the boundaries of a System unit; or 
‘‘(2) authorizes— 
‘‘(A) the establishment of new trails in Sys-
tem units; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) authorizes individuals to access areas 
in System units, on foot or otherwise, that are 
not open to such access. 
‘‘(e) NO MAJOR FEDERAL ACTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any action taken under this 
section shall not be considered a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human envi-
ronment under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
‘‘(2) NO
ADDITIONAL
ACTION
REQUIRED.—No 
additional identification, analyses, or consideration 
of environmental effects (including cumulative envi-
ronmental effects) is necessary or required with re-
spect to an action taken under this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for 
title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 101512 the following: 
‘‘101513. Hunter access corridors.’’. 
TITLE VII—RESPECT FOR 
TREATIES AND RIGHTS 
SEC. 701. RESPECT FOR TREATIES AND RIGHTS. 
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this 
Act shall be construed to affect or modify any treaty or 
other right of any federally recognized Indian Tribe. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
TITLE VIII—STATE APPROVAL OF 
FISHING RESTRICTION 
SEC. 801. STATE OR TERRITORIAL APPROVAL OF RESTRIC-
TION OF RECREATIONAL OR COMMERCIAL 
FISHING ACCESS TO CERTAIN STATE OR TER-
RITORIAL WATERS. 
(a) APPROVAL REQUIRED.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior and the Secretary of Commerce shall not restrict rec-
reational or commercial fishing access to any State or terri-
torial marine waters or Great Lakes waters within the ju-
risdiction of the National Park Service or the Office of Na-
tional Marine Sanctuaries, respectively, unless those restric-
tions are developed in coordination with, and approved by, 
the fish and wildlife management agency of the State or 
territory that has fisheries management authority over those 
waters. 
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘marine 
waters’’ includes coastal waters and estuaries. 
TITLE IX—OPEN BOOK ON 
EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE 
SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Open Book on Equal 
Access to Justice Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
SEC. 902. MODIFICATION OF EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE 
PROVISIONS. 
(a) AGENCY PROCEEDINGS.—Section 504 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘, United 
States Code’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(h); 
(3) by striking subsection (e); and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference 
of the United States shall create and maintain online a 
searchable database containing the following information 
with respect to each award of fees and other expenses under 
this section: 
‘‘(1) The case name and number of the adversary 
adjudication, if available. 
‘‘(2) The name of the agency involved in the ad-
versary adjudication. 
‘‘(3) A description of the claims in the adversary 
adjudication. 
‘‘(4) The name of each party to whom the award 
was made, as such party is identified in the order or 
other agency document making the award. 
‘‘(5) The amount of the award. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(6) The basis for the finding that the position 
of the agency concerned was not substantially justi-
fied. 
‘‘(f) The online searchable database described in sub-
section (e) may not reveal any information the disclosure 
of which is prohibited by law or court order. 
‘‘(g) The head of each agency shall provide to the 
Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United 
States, no later than 60 days following the Chairman’s re-
quest, all information requested by the Chairman to comply 
with the requirements of subsections (e) and (f).’’. 
(b) COURT CASES.—Section 2412(d) of title 28, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference 
shall create and maintain online a searchable database con-
taining the following information with respect to each 
award of fees and other expenses under this section: 
‘‘(A) The case name and number. 
‘‘(B) The name of the agency involved in the 
case. 
‘‘(C) The name of each party to whom the award 
was made, as such party is identified in the order or 
other court document making the award. 
‘‘(D) A description of the claims in the case. 
‘‘(E) The amount of the award. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
‘‘(F) The basis for the finding that the position 
of the agency concerned was not substantially justi-
fied. 
‘‘(6) The online searchable database described in para-
graph (5) may not reveal any information the disclosure 
of which is prohibited by law or court order. 
‘‘(7) The head of each agency (including the Attorney 
General of the United States) shall provide to the Chairman 
of the Administrative Conference of the United States, no 
later than 60 days following the Chairman’s request, all in-
formation requested by the Chairman to comply with the 
requirements of paragraphs (5) and (6).’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 2412 of title 28, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ‘‘United 
States Code,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘of section 2412 of title 28, 
United States Code,’’ and inserting ‘‘of this sec-
tion’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘of such title’’ and inserting 
‘‘of this title’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendments made by 
subsections (a) and (b) shall first apply with respect 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
to awards of fees and other expenses that are made on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) ONLINE DATABASES.—The online databases 
required by section 504(e) of title 5, United States 
Code, and section 2412(d)(5) of title 28, United States 
Code, shall be established as soon as practicable after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, but in no case 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
TITLE X—GOOD SAMARITAN 
SEARCH AND RECOVERY 
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Good Samaritan Search 
and Recovery Act’’. 
SEC. 1002. EXPEDITED ACCESS TO CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE.—The term ‘‘eligible’’, with respect 
to an organization or individual, means that the or-
ganization or individual, respectively, is— 
(A) acting in a not-for-profit capacity; and 
(B) composed entirely of members who, at 
the time of the good Samaritan search-and-recov-
ery mission, have attained the age of majority 
under the law of the State where the mission 
takes place. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(2) GOOD
SAMARITAN
SEARCH-AND-RECOVERY 
MISSION.—The term ‘‘good Samaritan search-and-re-
covery mission’’ means a search conducted by an eli-
gible organization or individual for one or more miss-
ing individuals believed to be deceased at the time 
that the search is initiated. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agri-
culture, as applicable. 
(b) PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Secretary shall develop 
and implement a process to expedite access to Federal 
land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Sec-
retary for eligible organizations and individuals to 
request access to Federal land to conduct good Samar-
itan search-and-recovery missions. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The process developed and im-
plemented under this subsection shall include provi-
sions to clarify that— 
(A) an eligible organization or individual 
granted access under this section— 
(i) shall be acting for private purposes; 
and 
(ii) shall not be considered to be a Fed-
eral volunteer; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(B) an eligible organization or individual 
conducting a good Samaritan search-and-recov-
ery mission under this section shall not be con-
sidered to be a volunteer under section 102301(c) 
of title 54, United States Code; 
(C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States 
Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Tort 
Claims Act’’), shall not apply to an eligible orga-
nization or individual carrying out a privately 
requested good Samaritan search-and-recovery 
mission under this section; and 
(D) chapter 81 of title 5, United States 
Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Employ-
ees’ Compensation Act’’), shall not apply to an 
eligible organization or individual conducting a 
good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission 
under this section, and the conduct of the good 
Samaritan search-and-recovery mission shall not 
constitute civilian employment. 
(c) RELEASE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM LI-
ABILITY.—The Secretary shall not require an eligible orga-
nization or individual to have liability insurance as a con-
dition of accessing Federal land under this section, if the 
eligible organization or individual— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) acknowledges and consents, in writing, to the 
provisions described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) of subsection (b)(2); and 
(2) signs a waiver releasing the Federal Govern-
ment from all liability relating to the access granted 
under this section and agrees to indemnify and hold 
harmless the United States from any claims or law-
suits arising from any conduct by the eligible organi-
zation or individual on Federal land. 
(d) APPROVAL AND DENIAL OF REQUESTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall notify an 
eligible organization or individual of the approval or 
denial of a request by the eligible organization or in-
dividual to carry out a good Samaritan search-and- 
recovery mission under this section by not later than 
48 hours after the request is made. 
(2) DENIALS.—If the Secretary denies a request 
from an eligible organization or individual to carry 
out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission 
under this section, the Secretary shall notify the eligi-
ble organization or individual of— 
(A) the reason for the denial of the request; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(B) any actions that the eligible organiza-
tion or individual can take to meet the require-
ments for the request to be approved. 
(e) PARTNERSHIPS.—Each Secretary shall develop 
search-and-recovery-focused partnerships with search-and- 
recovery organizations— 
(1) to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-re-
covery missions on Federal land under the adminis-
trative jurisdiction of the Secretary; and 
(2) to expedite and accelerate good Samaritan 
search-and-recovery mission efforts for missing indi-
viduals on Federal land under the administrative ju-
risdiction of the Secretary. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to 
Congress a joint report describing— 
(1) plans to develop partnerships described in 
subsection (e)(1); and 
(2) efforts carried out to expedite and accelerate 
good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission efforts 
for missing individuals on Federal land under the ad-
ministrative jurisdiction of each Secretary pursuant 
to subsection (e)(2). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
TITLE XI—INTERSTATE TRANS-
PORTATION OF FIREARMS OR 
AMMUNITION 
SEC. 1101. INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS 
OR AMMUNITION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 926A of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms or am-
munition 
‘‘(a) Notwithstanding any provision of any law, rule, 
or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof: 
‘‘(1) A person who is not prohibited by this 
chapter from possessing, transporting, shipping, or 
receiving a firearm or ammunition shall be entitled 
to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from 
any place where the person may lawfully possess, 
carry, or transport the firearm to any other such 
place if, during the transportation, the firearm is un-
loaded, and— 
‘‘(A) if the transportation is by motor vehi-
cle, the firearm is— 
‘‘(i) not directly accessible from the 
passenger compartment of the vehicle; 
‘‘(ii) in a locked container other than 
the glove compartment or console; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:53 Sep 18, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3668.RH
H3668
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS