Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1995
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Appropriations
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Outdoor recreation
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-09
text: 

Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021
 
 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and modifies use of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which provides funding for several things, including fisheries conservation and management, water and boating infrastructure, and recreational boating safety. The bill modifies use of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, which supports wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs.
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on (1) the increasing use of nonmotorized vessels and their impacts on motorized and nonmotorized vessel access, (2) user conflicts at waterway access points, (3) the use of Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to improve nonmotorized vessel access and the reasons for providing such access, and (4) the use of Recreational Boating Safety Program funds for nonmotorized boating safety programs.
 
The GAO shall consult with the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the National Boating Safety Advisory Council on study design, scope, and priorities for the report.

action_date: 2021-12-17
text: 

Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021
 
 
This bill provides support for aquatic conservation (e.g., coastal wetlands and fisheries), boating safety, and boating infrastructure.
 
For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which provides funding for several things, including fisheries conservation and management, water and boating infrastructure, and recreational boating safety. 
 
In addition, it revises the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, which supports wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs.
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on (1) the increasing use of nonmotorized vessels and their impacts on motorized and nonmotorized vessel access, (2) user conflicts at waterway access points, (3) the use of Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to improve nonmotorized vessel access and the reasons for providing such access, and (4) the use of Recreational Boating Safety Program funds for nonmotorized boating safety programs. The GAO must also consult with the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the National Boating Safety Advisory Council on study design, scope, and priorities for the report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate