FWSFinal Rule

Implementation of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts

EnvironmentAgriculture

Summary

This regulation updates how the federal government manages money from taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to fund wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation programs. The changes help ensure that hunting and fishing remain accessible and that wildlife habitats are properly protected across the country.

Key Points

  • 1Updates rules for distributing federal tax money collected from sales of hunting rifles, fishing rods, and related equipment to states for conservation projects
  • 2Affects hunters, anglers, state wildlife agencies, and outdoor recreation businesses that depend on healthy fish and wildlife populations
  • 3Requires states to follow updated requirements when spending these funds on habitat restoration, wildlife management, and public access to hunting and fishing areas
  • 4Sets a comment deadline of February 18, 2026 for the public to provide feedback before the rule takes final effect
  • 5Based on two long-standing federal laws (Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts) that have funded conservation for decades

Key Dates

Published

January 15, 2026

Comment Deadline

February 18, 2026

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This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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