Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3858

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-15: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

Last Updated

2026-06-03T08:05:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, titled the "Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025," aims to update and extend federal funding mechanisms for sport fish restoration programs, recreational boating safety initiatives, and related wildlife efforts. It builds on existing laws by extending timelines, adjusting funding formulas, promoting environmentally friendly boating infrastructure, and reducing taxes on certain fishing equipment to support anglers and the boating industry.

Key Provisions

• Short Title (Section 1): Officially names the Act as the "Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025."
• Extension of Annual Appropriations (Section 2): Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to extend the division of federal funds (derived from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels) for sport fish restoration and boating safety programs through fiscal year 2031, previously set to expire in 2026.
• Funding for Interstate Fisheries Commissions (Section 3): Updates funding allocations under the Dingell-Johnson Act for activities of interstate fisheries commissions (regional groups managing shared fish resources). It removes a previous annual cap of $1.2 million and instead bases funding on the greater of 0.0375% of total appropriations or $200,000 per commission, ensuring more flexible support.
• Boating Infrastructure Priorities (Section 4): Modifies the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 to prioritize grants for building, renovating, or maintaining boating facilities that include alternative fuel stations for recreational vessels. It adds definitions for key terms, such as:
• Alternative fuel station facility: A site with bulk storage tanks for dispensing drop-in alternative marine fuels (e.g., fuels from cooking oil waste, animal fats, or plant materials) into boats.
• Alternative marine fuels and drop-in fuels: Renewable gasoline or diesel blends meeting specific industry standards (e.g., ASTM specifications) for marine engines, with renewable content requirements like at least 12.5% by volume for gasoline.

This expands eligible projects to support transient (visiting) nontrailerable recreational boats using eco-friendly fuels.

• Reduced Excise Tax on Bait Containers (Section 5): Amends the Internal Revenue Code to lower the federal excise tax on portable, electronically-aerated bait containers (devices that use electric pumps to oxygenate water for live bait storage) from 10% to 3% of the sale price. This applies to items sold after the Act's enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends funding deadlines from 2026 to 2031 in the Dingell-Johnson Act, providing long-term stability for fish restoration and boating programs without needing new legislation soon.
• Shifts interstate fisheries commission funding from a fixed cap to a percentage-based formula, potentially increasing available resources as overall appropriations grow.
• Introduces new priorities and definitions in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act to incorporate alternative fuels, marking a shift toward greener boating infrastructure not previously emphasized.
• Reduces the excise tax rate specifically for aerated bait containers, creating an exception to the standard 10% rate on fishing gear, which could lower costs for manufacturers and consumers.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Coast Guard (which administer these programs) will have extended and potentially increased funding for fish habitat restoration, boater education, and safety enforcement, reducing administrative burdens from frequent reauthorizations. Tax changes may slightly reduce Internal Revenue Service collections but simplify compliance for targeted products.
• On Citizens: Anglers and recreational boaters benefit from lower costs for bait containers (potentially saving money on fishing trips) and access to more sustainable fuel options at marinas, promoting eco-friendly recreation. This could encourage wider participation in fishing and boating activities.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. boating infrastructure with alternative fuels could indirectly support global efforts on marine environmental standards by reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels in recreational sectors.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Anglers and Recreational Boaters: Primary beneficiaries through extended funding for fish stocking, habitat improvement, and safer, greener facilities.
• Fishing and Boating Industry (e.g., Manufacturers, Marina Operators): Gain from tax reductions on equipment and new grant opportunities for alternative fuel infrastructure, potentially boosting business and innovation.
• Interstate Fisheries Commissions: Receive more reliable and potentially higher funding for cross-state fish management.
• Environmental and Wildlife Groups: Positively affected by provisions promoting renewable marine fuels and wildlife restoration, aligning with conservation goals.
• Federal Agencies (e.g., Fish and Wildlife Service, IRS): Responsible for implementing changes, with added duties for overseeing alternative fuel projects.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The Act makes targeted, technical amendments to existing statutes without creating new regulatory burdens, ensuring continuity in tax-funded programs. The tax reduction is a narrow fiscal adjustment that complies with congressional taxing authority under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8), but it may require IRS guidance on qualifying bait containers to avoid disputes.
• Constitutional Implications: No major challenges; it upholds federal spending and taxing powers for public welfare (e.g., environmental conservation) while respecting state roles in fisheries management through interstate commissions.
• Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Reps. Dingell and Wittman) signals broad support for outdoor recreation and sustainability. Extending authorizations to 2031 streamlines future congressional work, but the focus on alternative fuels could appeal to environmental advocates, potentially influencing debates on energy policy in recreational contexts. Overall, it reinforces long-standing federal commitments to sport fishing without controversial overhauls.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Cosponsors (25)

Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-15: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
• 2025-07-15: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-07-15: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
• 2025-06-24: Subcommittee Hearings Held
• 2025-06-23: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
• 2025-06-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
• 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (4 pages)