Bill · H.R. 556· House(119-HR-556)

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

Age: 67 years

Virginia

Introduced: 1/16/2025
Last activity: 3/19/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sponsored by: Robert Wittman
Cosponsors: - 83 - 0

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Introduced
Passed House
In Senate committee

What this bill would do

The ``Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act'' seeks to restrict the ability of certain federal officials to ban lead ammunition or tackle. It prevents the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting lead use on federal lands or waters available for hunting or fishing. This restriction applies to the Directors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Chief of the Forest Service. However, an exception allows for these bans if a specific wildlife population decline is caused by lead, as proven by field data. These exceptions must also align with state fish and wildlife laws or policies.

Yes

Would gun owners be better off under this?+5
The bill protects the use of certain ammunition and tackle, which appeals to many hunting and shooting enthusiasts.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill preserves traditional hunting and fishing access which is highly valued in rural areas.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+2
The bill requires that any federal lead prohibitions be consistent with state fish and wildlife laws or policies.

The opposite

Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-3
The bill limits the ability of federal agencies to regulate lead ammunition, which may impact wildlife and environmental health.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?-2
The bill restricts certain regulatory tools available to agencies for managing federal lands and waters.
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill limits the regulatory authority of federal agencies over certain activities on federal lands.

What Congress actually voted on

2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.

The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 215–202
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
03/18/2026 · Roll call 93 · recorded as “On Passage”