Press Releases

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the bipartisan and bicameral introduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act. The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, known as VPA-HIP, is a grant program appropriated through the Farm Bill under which state fish and wildlife agencies and tribes can apply for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand public access to private lands for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife dependent recreation. If enacted, the Volunteer Public Access Improvement Act will increase funding for this important program to $150 million over the life of the Farm Bill.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds House introduction of the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act (H.R. 1494), which would close a significant gap in the collection of taxes for the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds. The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Panetta (D-CA) and Moore (R-UT) to make online marketplaces accountable for collection of the excise tax on archery and angling equipment sold directly to consumers from outside of the U.S. by online vendors.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds House passage of the Supporting the Health of Aquatic Systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue Act (SHARKED Act, H.R. 207). On January 21, the full House passed the bill with overwhelming support.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Senate for securing final passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3791). Earlier this week, the full Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent after its overwhelmingly bipartisan passage in the House earlier this month. Once enacted, it will ensure continuation of some of the nation’s most successful conservation programs including the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for securing final passage of the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act (WILD Act, HR 5009). Today, the Senate passed the bill as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, following House passage of the package late last week.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds House passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8811). On Tuesday, December 3, the bipartisan legislation passed the House by a vote of 366 -21, priming reauthorization of some of the most successful conservation programs in the country including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP).

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing the Secretarial Memorandum on Conserving and Restoring Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity and Corridors in the United States. Yesterday, the Association’s President, Judy Camuso, joined USDA Under Secretaries responsible for Farm Production and Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service and Marketing and Regulatory Programs to announce the department-wide effort to support terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity.

On July 29, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its long-awaited report to the Senate Finance Committee studying the gap in collection of excise taxes on archery and angling equipment sold directly to consumers from outside of the U.S. by online vendors. Led by our partners at the Archery Trade Association and the American Sportfishing Association, one of AFWA’s top priorities has been securing corrective action to ensure these funds are collected, as resolved by our membership at the 2022 AFWA Annual Meeting.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the introduction of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act. Today, Senator Padilla (C-CA) and Representatives Zinke (R-MT) and Beyer (D-VA) introduced the bill to bolster efforts to conserve wildlife migration corridors and seasonal habitat.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds House introduction of the America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R.8811). On Friday, June 21, the bipartisan legislation was introduced to reauthorize some of the most successful conservation programs in the country including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP).