Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4250
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T11:03:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026, reauthorizes and makes targeted updates to the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. This existing law funds sport fish restoration projects and recreational boating safety programs using excise taxes on fishing gear and motorboat fuel.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization of Funding Divisions (amends Section 4 of the Dingell-Johnson Act):
- Extends the timeline for dividing annual appropriations among programs through fiscal year 2031 (previously 2026).
- Multistate Conservation Grant Program (amends Section 14(e)):
- Removes the previous cap of $1,200,000 per annual appropriation for grants, simplifying to "Each" appropriation.
- Increases the minimum grant amount per project to the greater of 0.0375% of the total appropriation or $200,000 (previously a flat $200,000 minimum).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extension of Deadlines: Pushes funding allocation deadlines from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued program operation without interruption.
- Grant Program Adjustments:
- Eliminates the fixed upper limit on total grant funds from each appropriation.
- Ties minimum grant sizes to a percentage of total funds, potentially allowing larger minimums as appropriations grow.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies gain extended funding stability for fish habitat restoration, boating safety education, and infrastructure.
- Citizens: Anglers, boaters, and recreational users benefit from sustained or enhanced programs for fish stocks and safer waterways.
- No Direct International Relations Impact: Focuses on domestic conservation and safety.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State Fish and Wildlife Agencies: Primary recipients of funds for restoration projects.
- Recreational Boaters and Anglers: Indirect beneficiaries through improved fishing opportunities and safety measures.
- Conservation Organizations: Eligible for multistate grants supporting collaborative projects.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees fund distribution.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward reauthorization with minor funding formula tweaks; no new authorities or mandates that challenge existing law.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I; uses established excise tax revenues.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Sens. Sullivan, Cantwell, et al.); supports popular outdoor recreation without controversy, referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (2 pages)