Association's Legislative Priorities for the 117th Congress

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (HR2773/S2372)
Provide $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies and $97.5 million to Indian Tribes for proactive conservation actions to restore state/Tribal species of greatest conservation need and to secure those species before listing is warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

Reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Safety Trust Fund (HR3702/S1995)
Reauthorize the Trust Fund, which directs taxes from fuel taxes on small engines and motorboats to fund fish conservation and habitat restoration, recreational fishing access, aquatic resources education, and boating safety programs.

Reauthorize the Transportation Bill (FAST Act)
Reauthorize the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act with the inclusion of a Wildlife Corridors pilot program as well as other provisions for habitat connectivity and reduction of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Economic Recovery Through Conservation
Bring back the economy through funding outdoor recreation infrastructure projects, including billions in shovel-ready infrastructure maintenance to provide immediate, local jobs to the American workforce.

Reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Lands Program (HR1734/S1447)
Reauthorize the federal mine restoration program, to provide continued funding for the restoration of fish and wildlife habitat impacted by abandoned coal mines pre-1977 with ongoing legacy conservation issues.

Prepare for the 2023 Farm Bill
Build the foundation for successful reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which provides funding for critical conservation partnerships with private landowners.

Amend the Lacey Act to Prevent Trade and Introduction of Injurious Species
Amend the Lacey Act, extending its provisions to combat invasive and injurious species crossing state borders while preserving state jurisdictional authority.

OneHealth and Zoonotic Disease Prevention
Strengthen the OneHealth initiative by incorporating state agency expertise and resources into partnerships and planning, with particular focus on preventing current and emerging zoonotic diseases.

Clarify Incidental Take in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
Clarify that the protection and enforcement within the MBTA explicitly applies to incidental take of migratory birds, regardless of whether take is the purpose of the action.

Increase Congressional Appropriations for Conservation
Secure increased funding for core conservation programs including National Fish Habitat Partnerships and State and Tribal Wildlife Grants, and increase funding for the Migratory Bird Management Division, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, and the Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, as well as to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, Chronic Wasting Disease, and zoonotic diseases.

AFWA Contact
Kurt Thiede
KThiede@fishwildlife.org
202-838-3468