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H.R. 556: Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025, aims to regulate the use of lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters that are available for hunting and fishing. Here are the key points of the bill:

Prohibitions on Regulations

The bill prohibits the following actions by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture:

  1. They cannot ban the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands or waters that are:

    • Under the jurisdiction of either Secretary.

    • Designated for hunting or fishing activities.

  2. They cannot set regulations concerning the permissible levels of lead in ammunition or tackle used in those areas.

Exceptions to the Prohibition

There are exceptions to these prohibitions:

  • If a specific area of federal land or water is experiencing a decline in wildlife populations that is linked to lead ammunition or tackle, the applicable Secretary may implement bans or regulations. However, this is contingent on:
    • Field data showing that the decline in wildlife population is primarily due to the use of lead.

    • The prohibition or regulations must be:

      1. Consistent with state law.

      2. In accordance with applicable state fish and wildlife department policies.

      3. Approved by the relevant state fish and wildlife department.

Federal Register Requirement

If any prohibitions or regulations are implemented under the exceptions stated above, the applicable Secretary is required to provide an explanation in a Federal Register notice detailing how these actions meet the outlined requirements.

Impact on Hunters and Anglers

The aim of this legislation is to ensure that hunters and anglers have continued access to use lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters unless there is clear evidence that it is harming wildlife populations in a specific area. This could potentially affect wildlife management strategies and hunting practices across federal land.

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Sponsors

84 bill sponsors

Actions

22 actions

Date Action
Mar. 19, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar. 18, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2581-2582)
Mar. 18, 2026 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2576-2580)
Mar. 18, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 556.
Mar. 18, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar. 18, 2026 Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2580)
Mar. 18, 2026 On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 209 (Roll no. 92).
Mar. 18, 2026 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
Mar. 18, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
Mar. 18, 2026 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 556, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Dingell demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Mar. 18, 2026 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Mar. 18, 2026 The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Mar. 18, 2026 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar. 16, 2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Nov. 25, 2025 Committee on Agriculture discharged.
Nov. 25, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 335.
Nov. 25, 2025 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.
Jul. 15, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul. 15, 2025 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.
Feb. 20, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
Jan. 16, 2025 Introduced in House
Jan. 16, 2025 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.

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