May, 2000

Federal legislation known as the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Improvement Act (HR 3671) that reforms the administration of the Pittman-Robertson program has cleared another hurdle on its way to becoming law. HR 3671 passed the House of Representatives on April 5, 2000 by the overwhelming majority of 423 to 2.

Introduced earlier this session, HR 3671 will reduce by approximately 50% the dollars available to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their role in administering the excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment collected by the Internal Revenue Service. These funds, known as the Pittman-Robertson or PR funds, are funneled to the regional offices of the Fish and Wildlife Service for distribution to the state agencies. This legislation was developed after a GAO (Government Accounting Office) audit and investigations by the House Resources Committee uncovered a history of inappropriate spending and poor fiscal management by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The great news for hunters has been the provision in HR 3671 to reinvest the savings from cuts in administrative funding into hunter education programs and shooting ranges. Depending on the final legislation, from 4 to 6 million dollars annually will be available to states on a matching basis. The significant new twist, also good news for hunters, is that private groups such as hunting clubs, industry groups and others can partner with state hunter education and shooting range programs by providing 25% of the total costs for a qualified project.

The 280 member Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus led the effort to ensure this legislation passed the House. Both Co-Chairs of the Sportsmen’s Caucus, Congressman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) spoke on the House floor and urged their colleagues to support this important legislation introduced by another leader of the Caucus, Congressman Don Young (R-AK).

Following House passage of the legislation, Congressman Chambliss noted, “the passage of today’s bill is truly a trophy for sportsmen across the country.” Congressman Peterson, added “this bill restores the integrity of the Pittman-Robertson program and will ensure the vitality of these trust funds by investing in hunter education and safety for future generations of hunters who will in turn provide a stable revenue stream for conservation funding.”