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HR3858FEDERALin_committee

Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025

June 10, 2025

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.Jul 15, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

The bill extends federal funding for state-level fish and wildlife conservation programs for five additional years and changes the tax rate for specific fishing equipment.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Recreational boaters

Boaters may gain access to new alternative fuel infrastructure at marinas.

Fishing equipment manufacturers

Manufacturers of portable, electronically-aerated bait containers will be subject to a lower federal excise tax rate.

Interstate fisheries commissions

The funding formula for these commissions is modified, potentially increasing their annual federal support.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill extends federal funding authorizations for sport fish and wildlife restoration programs through 2031. It also expands boating infrastructure grants to include alternative fuel facilities and reduces the federal on portable, electronically-aerated bait containers.

Key Facts

  • Extends the authorization for annual appropriations under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act from 2026 to 2031.
  • Removes the $1.2 million cap on funding for interstate fisheries commission activities, allowing for larger appropriations.
  • Changes the minimum funding for interstate fisheries commissions to the greater of 0.0375% of the total appropriation or $200,000.
  • Expands the definition of eligible boating infrastructure to include the construction, renovation, or maintenance of alternative fuel facilities for recreational vessels.
  • Defines 'alternative marine fuels' as fuels derived from cooking oil waste, animal fats, or plant-based materials that function as drop-in replacements for gasoline or diesel.
  • Reduces the federal excise tax rate on portable, electronically-aerated bait containers from 10% to 3%.
  • The tax reduction for bait containers applies to items sold by manufacturers, producers, or importers after the date of enactment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are these conservation programs funded for?
The bill extends the funding authorization through the year 2031.
Will this change the price of bait containers?
The bill reduces the federal on portable, electronically-aerated bait containers from 10% to 3%, which may affect the final retail price.
What are 'alternative marine fuels' under this bill?
These are s for marine engines derived from renewable sources like cooking oil, animal fats, or plant-based materials.

Why It Matters

The bill extends federal funding for state-level fish and wildlife conservation programs for five additional years and changes the tax rate for specific fishing equipment.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Green Marine Infrastructure

The bill explicitly integrates renewable fuel infrastructure into the federal definition of eligible boating projects, signaling a shift toward supporting alternative marine fuels.

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Natural ResourcesPrimary committee of jurisdiction.Map →
organizationCommittee on Ways and MeansSecondary committee of jurisdiction.Map →
organizationCommittee on Transportation and InfrastructureSecondary committee of jurisdiction.Map →
personMrs. DingellPrimary sponsor of the bill.Map →
personMr. WittmanCo-sponsor of the bill.Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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