SAW Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6864

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:26:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Snowmobiles Aren't Weapons Act" (SAW Act) aims to protect mammalian predator species—such as wolves, coyotes, or mountain lions—on federal lands by banning the intentional use of motor vehicles to harm or capture them. It targets practices like using snowmobiles or off-road vehicles to chase and kill these animals, promoting humane wildlife management.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition: It is illegal for any person to intentionally use a motor vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, or aircraft) to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a mammalian predator on federal land. Violations carry penalties of a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both.
• Exception: The ban does not apply if the action is taken to prevent injury or death to oneself or another person (e.g., self-defense against an attacking animal).
• Enforcement and Investigations: The Secretary of the Interior (who oversees agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) must investigate potential violations. The Secretary can seek help from federal agencies like the FBI or Department of the Treasury, and request assistance from state or local law enforcement.
• Definitions:
• Federal land: Any land owned by the U.S. government, excluding land held in trust for Native American tribes or individuals.
• Motor vehicle: A broad category including self-propelled vehicles or those pulled by them, operable on land, water, highways, railroads, or air.
• Mammalian predator: Defined by the Secretary of the Interior, typically referring to meat-eating mammals that prey on other animals.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal criminal offense specifically targeting the use of motor vehicles against predators on public lands. Prior laws, such as the Lacey Act (which regulates wildlife trafficking) or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, address wildlife harm but do not explicitly prohibit vehicle-based pursuit or harassment of predators. It adds targeted enforcement powers for the Interior Department, filling a gap in protections for these species during recreational activities like winter sports.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Limits hunting and recreational activities (e.g., snowmobiling) on federal lands, potentially frustrating some outdoor enthusiasts or ranchers who view predators as threats to livestock. It may encourage more ethical wildlife interactions and reduce accidental harm during vehicle use.
• On Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of the Interior in monitoring and investigating violations, requiring coordination with other federal, state, and local entities. This could strain resources in rural areas with high federal land use but enhance wildlife conservation efforts.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic federal lands and does not address cross-border wildlife issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Wildlife and Environmental Groups: Likely supportive, as it strengthens protections for predator populations and ecosystems.
• Hunters, Ranchers, and Recreational Users: Potentially opposed, as it restricts methods for managing predators that may threaten livestock or game animals, affecting activities on about 640 million acres of federal land.
• Federal Land Managers and Law Enforcement: Directly involved in enforcement, including the Interior Department, national parks, forests, and partnering agencies like the FBI.
• Native American Tribes: Indirectly affected, as tribal trust lands are exempt, preserving their sovereignty over wildlife management.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Creates a clear, enforceable federal crime with stiff penalties, potentially leading to more wildlife-related prosecutions. The broad motor vehicle definition could raise questions in court about what constitutes "intentional" use, but self-defense exceptions align with existing defenses in wildlife laws.
• Constitutional: Appears to uphold federal authority over public lands under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which allows Congress to regulate federal territories. It does not infringe on free speech or Second Amendment rights, as it targets conduct rather than possession of vehicles or firearms.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats and Republicans) suggests cross-aisle appeal for wildlife protection, but it may spark debates over federal overreach into state hunting traditions or rural economies. If passed, it could set a precedent for vehicle-use restrictions in conservation, influencing future environmental bills.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (3 pages)