Timing of approval of wildlife conservation and restoration program

Section 4(e)(3) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(e)(3)) is amended— (1)by inserting , not later than 180 days after the date on which the State submitted the comprehensive plan, after , the Secretary; (2)by striking , as redesignated; (3)by striking If the Secretary and inserting

(A)If the Secretary

; and

(4)by adding at the end the following:

(B)Upon submission of a comprehensive plan by a State under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conditionally authorize the implementation of the wildlife conservation and restoration program of the State and shall set aside amounts as described in subparagraph (A). (C)The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall develop a process to ensure sufficient and timely review of comprehensive plans submitted by States under paragraph (1) and final approval of the wildlife conservation and restoration program of such States not later than 180 days after the date on which a State submits such a comprehensive plan. (D)It is the intent of Congress that the Secretary prioritize the— (i)timely review of comprehensive plans submitted by States under paragraph (1); and (ii)approval of the wildlife conservation and restoration programs of such States. (E)Not later than June 1 of the year immediately following the year in which a State submits a comprehensive plan under paragraph (1), if the Secretary does not approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of the State under subparagraph (A) within the time described in that subparagraph, the Secretary shall submit to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Environment and Public Works Committee of the Senate a report regarding the status of such comprehensive plan and including the reason why the wildlife conservation and restoration program was not so approved.