[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8133-H8134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW'S NEEDS ACT

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2591) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration 
Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2591

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Modernizing the Pittman-
     Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The first section of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following: ``One of the purposes of this Act is to 
     provide financial and technical assistance to the States for 
     the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669a) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as 
     paragraphs (4) through (10), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) for the purposes of determining the number of paid 
     hunting-license holders in a State, the term `fiscal year' 
     means the fiscal year or license year of the State;
       ``(3) the term `hunter recruitment and recreational shooter 
     recruitment' means any activity or project to recruit or 
     retain hunters and recreational shooters, including by--
       ``(A) using social media, marketing, advertising, 
     surveying, television spots, print, and media;
       ``(B) providing education, mentoring, and field 
     demonstrations;
       ``(C) enhancing access for hunting and recreational 
     shooting, including through range construction;
       ``(D) providing education to the public about the role of 
     hunting and recreational shooting in funding wildlife 
     conservation; and
       ``(E) using any other means to ensure the growth of hunting 
     and recreational shooting, as determined by the Secretary;''.

     SEC. 4. ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS.

       (a) Apportionment to States.--Section 4(b) of the Pittman-
     Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Secretary of 
     the Interior'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such 
     apportionments'' and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Adjustments.--The apportionments under paragraph 
     (1)'';
       (3) by striking the third sentence; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Use of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), amounts 
     apportioned under this subsection may be used for hunter 
     recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment.
       ``(B) Limitation.--A State may make an expenditure under 
     subparagraph (A) only if the amount of the expenditure during 
     the fiscal year in which the expenditure is made plus the 
     amount of the expenditures for hunter recruitment and 
     recreational shooter recruitment made during the 4 fiscal 
     years preceding that fiscal year is not greater than 25 
     percent of the total amount apportioned to the State under 
     this subsection during that 5-fiscal-year period.''.
       (b) Apportionment of Certain Taxes.--The first subsection 
     (c) of section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``Apportionment of Revenues From Pistols, 
     Revolvers, Bows, and Arrows.--'' after the enumerator;
       (2) by striking ``One-half'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), \1/2\'';
       (3) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and inserting a 
     period;
       (4) by striking ``each State shall be apportioned not more 
     than 3 per centum and not less than 1 per centum of such 
     revenues'' and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Condition.--The amount apportioned to each State 
     under paragraph (1) shall be not greater than 3 percent and 
     not less than 1 percent of the revenues described in such 
     paragraph'';
       (5) by striking ``For the purpose'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) Population determination.--For the purpose''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Use of funds.--In addition to other uses authorized 
     under this Act, amounts apportioned under this subsection may 
     be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter 
     recruitment.''.
       (c) Technical Correction.--Section 4 of the Pittman-
     Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is 
     amended by redesignating the second subsection (c) and 
     subsection (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively.

     SEC. 5. EXPENDITURES FOR MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AREAS AND 
                   RESOURCES.

       Section 8 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 669g) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), in the third sentence, by striking 
     ``and public relations''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``, as a part of such program''.

     SEC. 6. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM 
                   GRANTS.

       Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
     Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-1(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment and 
     recreational shooter recruitment; and''.

     SEC. 7. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 11 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-2) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``Not more than'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Not more than''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Availability for hunter and recreational shooter 
     grants.--Not more than $5,000,000 of the revenues covered 
     into the fund from any tax imposed under section 4161(b) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for a fiscal year shall be 
     available to the Secretary exclusively for making hunter 
     recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that 
     promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment 
     program, including related communication and outreach 
     activities.'';
       (2) in the matter preceding subsection (b)(3)(A), by 
     striking ``International'';
       (3) in the matter preceding subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), by 
     striking ``International'';
       (4) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), by inserting ``or to 
     recreational shooting activities'' after ``wildlife''; and
       (5) in subsection (d), by inserting ``or to recreational 
     shooting activities'' after ``wildlife''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Gianforte) and the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. 
Tsongas) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Montana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Montana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 2591, introduced by Representative Austin Scott of Georgia, is a 
bipartisan bill which I cosponsored that amends the Pittman-Robertson 
Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding for wildlife 
conservation.
  The Pittman-Robertson fund, which relies on excise tax fees paid by 
hunters and recreational shooters, has been a driving force for 
wildlife habitat preservation in the United States for nearly 80 years, 
contributing over $10 billion in that time. The fund is also 
responsible for important hunter education programs, as well as the 
construction and maintenance of public shooting ranges.
  The long-term viability of the Pittman-Robertson fund is at risk, 
however, because of the diminishing number of hunters and recreational 
shooters nationwide. Recent surveys have shown a decline of over 2 
million hunters since 2011. This has largely been caused by growing 
urbanization and suburbanization, which has made it more difficult for 
Americans to participate in these activities.
  This legislation will give States additional flexibility to use their 
Pittman-Robertson dollars to fund programs to recruit, retain, and 
reactivate hunters and target shooters. Empowering the States with this 
added flexibility will help promote safe and responsible hunting and 
shooting, while also ensuring this American system of wildlife 
conservation funding remains strong into the future.
  Congressman Scott should be commended for his work on this bipartisan 
measure. I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill provides States with increased flexibility to 
utilize

[[Page H8134]]

money provided by the Pittman-Robertson fund for expanding outreach in 
hunter education initiatives.
  The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, commonly known 
as the Pittman-Robertson Act, authorizes an excise tax on hunting 
equipment. The proceeds are used to support wildlife conservation and 
restoration efforts.
  Allowing some of the money for education and outreach initiatives has 
the potential to increase participation in hunting and other 
recreational activities that will expand the tax base and the total 
pool of available money.
  This program is our Nation's oldest and most successful wildlife 
conservation initiative. In its over-80-year history, it has restored 
habitat relied on by numerous species and even helped to bring some 
populations back from the brink of extinction. This is an impressive 
track record that the update included in this legislation is meant to 
support.
  The bill includes a 25 percent cap for education and recruitment 
activities, a safeguard meant to ensure there is still plenty of money 
available for wildlife conservation and restoration.
  I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to ensure 
that 25 percent is an appropriate safeguard that doesn't steer too much 
money away from the traditional purpose of the fund.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott).
  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2591, Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs 
Act.
  As a lifelong outdoorsman and current vice chairman of the 
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I am honored to be here today to 
discuss this bipartisan legislation.
  If enacted, H.R. 2591 would provide national, broad-based support to 
State fish and wildlife agencies to develop, guide, and enhance 
collective efforts to recruit new hunters and sportsmen, all while 
continuing to protect our Nation's natural resources.
  Through a system of user pay, public benefits, Pittman-Robertson is 
the foundation of wildlife conservation funding in the United States.
  In the early 1900s, many wildlife species were beginning to dwindle 
and disappear. To address this decline, State fish and wildlife 
agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with hunters 
and conservationists to help draft and enact the Federal Aid in 
Wildlife Restoration Act. Known today as the Pittman-Robertson Act, 
this legislation became law in 1937.
  Since it was first enacted, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife 
Restoration Fund has collected over $11 billion from sportsmen and -
women to be used by States to fund wildlife conservation efforts, 
habitat acquisition and management, public access to lands, hunter 
education, and development of ranges affiliated with hunter safety 
programs. These funds are collected from an excise tax on sporting 
equipment, which is coupled with State funds from the sale of sporting 
licenses.
  Over the past century, States have spent these funds to restore game 
and nongame species that were on the brink of endangerment and 
extinction. Specifically, Pittman-Robertson funds have helped rebuild 
white-tailed deer, turkey, duck, beaver, elk, osprey, and bald eagle 
populations. Effectively, Pittman-Robertson creates a direct link 
between those who hunt and participate in sportsmen activities and the 
health of the resources needed to expand and enhance those 
opportunities.
  However, in recent years, the increasing urbanization and 
suburbanization of our population has made it more difficult for the 
public to participate in hunting and outdoor recreational activities.

                              {time}  1615

  Correspondingly, the average age of Americans purchasing hunting 
licenses and equipment is steadily rising as younger Americans are not 
joining the sportsmen population.
  This has a significant ripple effect, not only on the key Federal 
funding models that support the conservation of fish and wildlife, but 
also on the base of support for our public lands and on thoughtful 
natural resource policy.
  H.R. 2591 seeks to address this growing issue head-on.
  Without any Federal mandate or any increase in existing user fees or 
taxes, H.R. 2591 will preserve the current user-pay, public-benefit 
funding of wildlife conservation for generations to come, while further 
expanding flexibility of States to make decisions that are best fit for 
them and the preservation of their natural resources.
  Specifically, H.R. 2591 would clarify that a purpose of the Pittman-
Robertson funds is to extend public relations assistance to the States 
for the promotion of hunting and sportsmen activities.
  For the first time, State fish and wildlife agencies could use 
Pittman-Robertson funds for proactive recruitment, including promotions 
on television, in printed publications, and on social media; 
educational field demonstrations to better teach the role that hunting 
plays in wildlife conservation; as well as initiatives aimed at 
enhancing access for hunting and range construction.
  These modernizations are essential in addressing the issues currently 
affecting Pittman-Robertson funds.
  To ensure that traditional wildlife conservation remains the primary 
focus of Pittman-Robertson, H.R. 2591 puts a maximum cap of 25 percent 
on the percentage of Pittman-Robertson funds that can be used for 
public relations by a State agency.
  Moreover, H.R. 2591 would expand the Multistate Conservation Grant 
Program by providing an additional $5 million per year from archery tax 
collections to provide for hunters and recreational recruitment project 
grants that promote a national recruitment program.
  While this legislation provides the authority for the existing 
Pittman-Robertson funds to be used on programs that will help ensure 
participation in outdoor recreational sportsmen activities and secure a 
funding base long into the future, it is important to note that H.R. 
2591 does not mandate how PR funds must be spent.
  The discretion to determine the amount, if any, of Wildlife 
Restoration Funds spent on recruitment would remain entirely with each 
individual State fish and wildlife agency.
  Conservation organizations and State wildlife agencies alike have 
long advocated for increased flexibility for Pittman-Robertson funds.
  H.R. 2591 is supported by all 50 State fish and wildlife agencies as 
well as a significant number of the Nation's leading sportsmen 
conservation groups--just to list a few: the Association of Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies, the Archery Trade Association, the Congressional 
Sportsmen's Foundation, Conservation Force, Council to Advance Hunting 
and Shooting Sports, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton 
League, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Rocky 
Mountain Elk Foundation, the Sportsmen's Alliance, the Theodore 
Roosevelt Conservation Council, Wildlife Forever, the Wildlife and 
Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, and the Wildlife Management 
Institute.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2591, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________