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The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act would prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service from banning or regulating lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters. This would protect hunting and fishing access by limiting the agencies' ability to impose restrictions on these materials.
The bill includes narrow exceptions. Federal agencies could still regulate lead ammunition and tackle if they have existing regulations already in place, or if they can demonstrate through field data that a specific decline in wildlife population at a particular location is primarily caused by lead use and the state approves such regulations. This means restrictions would only be possible in cases where there is clear, documented evidence of wildlife harm at that specific site.
The bill passed the House and is currently in committee in the Senate, where it is being reviewed by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted, it would significantly limit federal agencies' authority to address potential environmental and wildlife health concerns related to lead ammunition and tackle, even in cases where agencies believe restrictions are necessary to protect wildlife populations.
AI-generated summary
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar 19, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar 19, 2026