Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) released the following statement on the successful passage of H.R. 877, Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act, which was agreed to by unanimous consent in Committee markup. Increasing urbanization and suburbanization has made it more difficult for the public to participate in hunting and recreational shooting than when the Pittman-Robertson Act was first enacted in 1937. H.R. 877 will enable funds to be distributed to States to promote hunting and recreational shooting that contribute to wildlife conservation efforts.

“H.R. 877 provides States greater discretion over federal dollars to expand recruitment and retention of sportsmen and women, attract more Americans to the outdoors, and create a more robust system of conservation funding for future generations.  I thank Chairman Grijalva for honoring his commitment to move this legislation through the House. I look forward to working with colleagues in both chambers to advance this bill to the President’s desk and into law.”

Background:

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 uses the proceeds of federal excise tax on firearms ammunition and archery equipment to fund wildlife conservation and hunter education grants for state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies.

In an effort to recruit more hunters and ensure continued funding for wildlife conservation, H.R. 877 provides state fish and wildlife agencies much needed flexibility to modernize the way they recruit, retain and reactivate sportsmen and sportswomen to ensure the continuation of a stable population of participants to fund the current model of wildlife conservation.

Read major provisions of H.R. 877 HERE.

Read H.R. 877 text HERE.