Bill · H.R. 6864· House(119-HR-6864)
SAW Act
- Introduced
- 12/18/2025
- Last activity
- 12/18/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Val Hoyle
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Snowmobiles Aren't Weapons Act" or the "SAW Act," aims to prohibit individuals from using motor vehicles to take mammalian predator species on Federal land. Under the act, using a motor vehicle to harass, hunt, shoot, or capture these animals would result in fines up to $10,000 and potential imprisonment for up to 5 years. An exception is made for those acting to avoid injury or death to themselves or others. The Secretary of the Interior is granted authority to investigate these violations and seek help from various federal and local agencies. The definition of Federal land excludes land held in trust for American Indian Tribes or individuals.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill protects mammalian predator species from being hunted or harassed using motor vehicles on Federal land.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The bill grants the Secretary of the Interior broad authority to investigate violations and coordinate with various federal and local agencies.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+3
The bill's restrictions on motor vehicle use for predator hunting do not apply to land held in trust for American Indian Tribes or individuals.
The opposite
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?-3
The bill imposes criminal penalties and fines on those using motor vehicles like snowmobiles to hunt on Federal lands often frequented by rural residents.
Does this change how police departments operate?-2
The bill expands the investigative and enforcement authority of the Secretary of the Interior and law enforcement agencies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Personal Safety Exceptions: According to Section 2(b), a person will not be in violation if they use a motor vehicle in the prohibited manner to avoid injury or death to themselves or another person.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Criminal Penalties: Under Section 2(a), any person found to have intentionally used a motor vehicle to harass, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a mammalian predator on Federal land faces a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.
-
Broad Investigative Authority: Section 2(c) allows the Secretary of the Interior to conduct investigations and obtain assistance from the FBI, the Department of the Treasury, and other federal, state, or local agencies to determine if a person has violated the Act.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+3Good For Rural Residents-3
- 9/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Young KimRepublican · California
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts