,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #bej #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ahbe ,report ,no4 #aac-ccg1 ,part ,i ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #c1 #bjac ,mr4 ,benishek 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,amodei1 ,mr4 ,gosar1 ,mr4 ,young of ,alaska1 ,mr4 ,buchanan1 ,mr4 ,simpson1 ,ms4 ,jenkins1 ,mr4 ,hanna1 ,mr4 ,daines1 and ,mr4 ,hudson7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,january #ca1 #bjad ,additional sponsors3 ,mr4 ,kline1 ,mr4 ,pearce1 ,mr4 ,des,jarlais1 ,mr4 ,westmoreland1 ,mr4 ,ross1 ,mr4 ,franks of ,arizona1 ,mr4 ,stockman1 ,mr4 ,harris1 ,mr4 ,walberg1 ,mr4 ,latham1 ,mr4 ,gingrey of ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,farenthold1 ,mr4 ,nugent1 ,mr4 ,king of ,iowa1 ,mr4 ,huelskamp1 ,mrs4 ,miller of ,michigan1 ,mr4 ,latta1 ,mr4 ,duncan of ,tennessee1 ,mr4 ,alexander1 ,mr4 ,rodney ,davis of ,illinois1 ,mr4 ,wittman1 ,mr4 ,smith of ,nebraska1 ,mr4 ,upton1 ,mr4 ,stivers1 ,mr4 ,tipton1 ,mr4 ,yoder1 ,mr4 ,cotton1 ,mr4 ,holding1 ,mr4 ,barletta1 ,mr4 ,terry1 ,mr4 ,burgess1 ,mrs4 ,blackburn1 ,mr4 ,owens1 ,mrs4 ,hartzler1 ,mrs4 ,lummis1 ,mr4 ,huizenga of ,michigan1 ,mr4 ,hensarling1 ,mr4 ,duncan of ,south ,carolina1 ,mr4 ,pompeo1 ,mr4 ,hunter1 ,mr4 ,messer1 ,mr4 ,kinzinger of ,illinois1 ,mr4 ,marchant1 ,mr4 ,kelly of ,pennsylvania1 ,mr4 ,sessions1 ,mr4 ,gibson1 ,mr4 ,fleischmann1 ,mr4 ,shuster1 ,mr4 ,young of ,indiana1 ,mr4 ,bentivolio1 ,mr4 ,johnson of ,ohio1 ,mr4 ,wenstrup1 ,mr4 ,bridenstine1 ,mr4 ,smith of ,missouri1 ,mr4 ,cole1 ,mr4 ,flores1 ,mr4 ,nunnelee1 ,mr4 ,southerland1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mr4 ,gardner1 ,mr4 ,fincher1 ,mr4 ,collins of ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,roe of ,tennessee1 ,mr4 ,ribble1 ,mr4 ,barr1 ,mr4 ,poe of ,texas1 ,mr4 ,yoho1 ,mr4 ,joyce1 ,mr4 ,brooks of ,alabama1 ,mr4 ,fleming1 ,mr4 ,rooney1 ,mr4 ,meadows1 ,mr4 ,coble1 ,mrs4 ,black1 ,mr4 ,graves of ,missouri1 ,mr4 ,crawford1 ,mr4 ,palazzo1 ,mr4 ,griffin of ,arkansas1 ,mr4 ,bachus1 ,mrs4 ,noem1 ,mr4 ,heck of ,nevada1 ,mr4 ,radel1 ,mr4 ,neugebauer1 ,mr4 ,camp1 ,mr4 ,de,santis1 ,mr4 ,boustany1 ,mr4 ,rokita1 ,mrs4 ,brooks of ,indiana1 ,mr4 ,lankford1 ,mrs4 ,capito1 ,mr4 ,long1 ,mr4 ,graves of ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,sam ,johnson of ,texas1 ,mr4 ,rice of ,south ,carolina1 ,mrs4 ,walorski1 ,ms4 ,granger1 ,mr4 ,rogers of ,alabama1 ,mr4 ,luetkemeyer1 and ,mr4 ,pittenger ,january #ca1 #bjad ,reported from the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,january #ca1 #bjad ,the ,committee on ,agriculture discharged2 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed ,a ,,bill ,to direct ,federal public land management officials to exercise their authority under existing law to facilitate use of and access to ,federal public lands for fishing1 sport hunting1 and recreational shooting1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,recreational ,fishing and ,hunting ,heritage and ,opportunities ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 recreational fishing and hunting are important and traditional activities in which millions of ,americans participate2 7#b7 recreational anglers and hunters have been and continue to be among the foremost supporters of sound fish and wildlife management and conservation in the ,united ,states2 7#c7 recreational fishing and hunting are environmentally acceptable and beneficial activities that occur and can be provided on ,federal public lands and waters without adverse effects on other uses or users2 7#d7 recreational anglers1 hunters1 and sporting organizations provide direct assistance to fish and wildlife managers and enforcement officers of the ,federal ,government as well as ,state and local governments by investing volunteer time and effort to fish and wildlife conservation2 7#e7 recreational anglers1 hunters1 and the associated industries have generated billions of dollars of critical funding for fish and wildlife conservation1 research1 and management by providing revenues from purchases of fishing and hunting licenses1 permits1 and stamps1 as well as excise taxes on fishing1 hunting1 and shooting equipment that have generated billions of dollars of critical funding for fish and wildlife conservation1 research1 and management2 7#f7 recreational shooting is also an important and traditional activity in which millions of ,americans participate1 safe recreational shooting is a valid use of ,federal public lands1 including the establishment of safe and convenient shooting ranges on such lands1 and participation in recreational shooting helps recruit and retain hunters and contributes to wildlife conservation2 7#g7 opportunities to recreationally fish1 hunt1 and shoot are declining1 which depresses participation in these traditional activities1 and depressed participation adversely impacts fish and wildlife conservation and funding for important conservation efforts2 and 7#h7 the public interest would be served1 and our citizens' fish and wildlife resources benefitted1 by action to ensure that opportunities are facilitated to engage in fishing and hunting on ,federal public land as recognized by ,executive ,order ,no4 #abifb1 relating to recreational fisheries1 and ,executive ,order ,no4 #acddc1 relating to facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,federal public land ,the term ,federal public land means any land or water that is owned and managed by the ,bureau of ,land ,management or the ,forest ,service4 7#b7 ,federal public land management officials ,the term ,federal public land management officials means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of the ,interior and ,director of ,bureau of ,land ,management regarding ,bureau of ,land ,management lands and waters2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary of ,agriculture and ,chief of the ,forest ,service regarding the ,national ,forest ,system4 7#c7 ,hunting 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term hunting means use of a firearm1 bow1 or other authorized means in the lawful-- 7i7 pursuit1 shooting1 capture1 collection1 trapping1 or killing of wildlife2 7ii7 attempt to pursue1 shoot1 capture1 collect1 trap1 or kill wildlife2 or 7iii7 the training of hunting dogs1 including field trials4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term hunting does not include the use of skilled volunteers to cull excess animals 7as defined by other ,federal law74 7#d7 ,recreational fishing ,the term recreational fishing means the lawful-- 7,a7 pursuit1 capture1 collection1 or killing of fish2 or 7,b7 attempt to capture1 collect1 or kill fish4 7#e7 ,recreational shooting ,the term recreational shooting means any form of sport1 training1 competition1 or pastime1 whether formal or informal1 that involves the discharge of a rifle1 handgun1 or shotgun1 or the use of a bow and arrow4 #d4 ,recreational fishing1 hunting1 and shooting 7a7 ,in general ,subject to valid existing rights and subsection 7g71 and cooperation with the respective ,state fish and wildlife agency1 ,federal public land management officials shall exercise authority under existing law1 including provisions regarding land use planning1 to facilitate use of and access to ,federal public lands1 including ,national ,monuments1 ,wilderness ,areas1 ,wilderness ,study ,areas1 and lands administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable and primitive or semi-primitive areas1 for fishing1 sport hunting1 and recreational shooting1 except as limited by-- 7#a7 statutory authority that authorizes action or withholding action for reasons of national security1 public safety1 or resource conservation2 7#b7 any other ,federal statute that specifically precludes recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting on specific ,federal public lands1 waters1 or units thereof2 and 7#c7 discretionary limitations on recreational fishing1 hunting1 and shooting determined to be necessary and reasonable as supported by the best scientific evidence and advanced through a transparent public process4 7b7 ,management ,consistent with subsection 7a71 the head of each ,federal public land management agency shall exercise its land management discretion-- 7#a7 in a manner that supports and facilitates recreational fishing1 hunting1 and shooting opportunities2 7#b7 to the extent authorized under applicable ,state law2 and 7#c7 in accordance with applicable ,federal law4 7c7 ,planning 7#a7 ,evaluation of effects on opportunities to engage in recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting ,federal public land planning documents1 including land resources management plans1 resource management plans1 and comprehensive conservation plans1 shall include a specific evaluation of the effects of such plans on opportunities to engage in recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting4 7#b7 ,no major federal action ,no action taken under this ,act1 or under section #d of the ,national ,wildlife ,refuge ,system ,administration ,act of #aiff 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ffh;dd71 either individually or cumulatively with other actions involving ,federal public lands or lands managed by the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service1 shall be considered to be a major ,federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment1 and no additional identification1 analysis1 or consideration of environmental effects1 including cumulative effects1 is necessary or required4 7#c7 ,other activity not considered ,federal public land management officials are not required to consider the existence or availability of recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting opportunities on adjacent or nearby public or private lands in the planning for or determination of which ,federal public lands are open for these activities or in the setting of levels of use for these activities on ,federal public lands1 unless the combination or coordination of such opportunities would enhance the recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting opportunities available to the public4 7d7 ,federal public lands 7#a7 ,lands open ,lands under the jurisdiction of the ,bureau of ,land ,management and the ,forest ,service1 including ,wilderness ,areas1 ,wilderness ,study ,areas1 lands designated as wilderness or administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable and primitive or semi-primitive areas and ,national ,monuments1 but excluding lands on the ,outer ,continental ,shelf1 shall be open to recreational fishing1 hunting1 and shooting unless the managing ,federal agency acts to close lands to such activity4 ,lands may be subject to closures or restrictions if determined by the head of the agency to be necessary and reasonable and supported by facts and evidence1 for purposes including resource conservation1 public safety1 energy or mineral production1 energy generation or transmission infrastructure1 water supply facilities1 protection of other permittees1 protection of private property rights or interest1 national security1 or compliance with other law4 7#b7 ,shooting ranges 7,a7 ,in general ,the head of each ,federal agency shall use his or her authorities in a manner consistent with this ,act and other applicable law1 to-- 7i7 lease or permit use of lands under the jurisdiction of the agency for shooting ranges2 and 7ii7 designate specific lands under the jurisdiction of the agency for recreational shooting activities4 7,b7 ,limitation on liability ,any designation under subparagraph 7,a77ii7 shall not subject the ,united ,states to any civil action or claim for monetary damages for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by any activity occurring at or on such designated lands4 7e7 ,necessity in wilderness areas and within and supplemental to wilderness purposes 7#a7 ,minimum requirements for administration ,the provision of opportunities for hunting1 fishing and recreational shooting1 and the conservation of fish and wildlife to provide sustainable use recreational opportunities on designated ,federal wilderness areas shall constitute measures necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the wilderness area1 provided that this determination shall not authorize or facilitate commodity development1 use1 or extraction1 motorized recreational access or use that is not otherwise allowed under the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aaca et seq471 or permanent road construction or maintenance within designated wilderness areas4 7#b7 ,application of ,wilderness ,act ,provisions of the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aaca et seq471 stipulating that wilderness purposes are within and supplemental to the purposes of the underlying ,federal land unit are reaffirmed4 ,when seeking to carry out fish and wildlife conservation programs and projects or provide fish and wildlife dependent recreation opportunities on designated wilderness areas1 the head of each ,federal agency shall implement these supplemental purposes so as to facilitate1 enhance1 or both1 but not to impede the underlying ,federal land purposes when seeking to carry out fish and wildlife conservation programs and projects or provide fish and wildlife dependent recreation opportunities in designated wilderness areas1 provided that such implementation shall not authorize or facilitate commodity development1 use or extraction1 or permanent road construction or use within designated wilderness areas4 7f7 ,report ,beginning on the second ,october #a after the date of the enactment of this ,act and biennially on ,october #a thereafter1 the head of each ,federal agency who has authority to manage ,federal public land on which fishing1 hunting1 or recreational shooting occurs shall submit to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate a report that describes-- 7#a7 any ,federal public land administered by the agency head that was closed to recreational fishing1 sport hunting1 or shooting at any time during the preceding year2 and 7#b7 the reason for the closure4 7g7 ,closures or significant restrictions of #fdj or more acres 7#a7 ,in general ,other than closures established or prescribed by land planning actions referred to in subsection 7d7 or emergency closures described in paragraph 7#c7 of this subsection1 a permanent or temporary withdrawal1 change of classification1 or change of management status of ,federal public land that effectively closes or significantly restricts #fdj or more contiguous acres of ,federal public land to access or use for fishing or hunting or activities related to fishing1 hunting1 or both1 shall take effect only if1 before the date of withdrawal or change1 the head of the ,federal agency that has jurisdiction over the ,federal public land-- 7,a7 publishes appropriate notice of the withdrawal or change1 respectively2 7,b7 demonstrates that coordination has occurred with a ,state fish and wildlife agency2 and 7,c7 submits to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate written notice of the withdrawal or change1 respectively4 7#b7 ,aggregate or cumulative effects ,if the aggregate or cumulative effect of separate withdrawals or changes effectively closes or significantly restricts #a1bhj or more acres of land or water1 such withdrawals and changes shall be treated as a single withdrawal or change for purposes of paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,emergency closures ,nothing in this ,act prohibits a ,federal land management agency from establishing or implementing emergency closures or restrictions of the smallest practicable area to provide for public safety1 resource conservation1 national security1 or other purposes authorized by law4 ,such an emergency closure shall terminate after a reasonable period of time unless converted to a permanent closure consistent with this ,act4 7h7 ,national park service units not affected ,nothing in this ,act shall affect or modify management or use of units of the ,national ,park ,system4 7i7 ,no priority ,nothing in this ,act requires a ,federal land management agency to give preference to recreational fishing1 hunting1 or shooting over other uses of ,federal public land or over land or water management priorities established by ,federal law4 7j7 ,consultation with councils ,in fulfilling the duties set forth in this ,act1 the heads of ,federal agencies shall consult with respective advisory councils as established in ,executive ,order ,nos4 #abifb and #acddc4 7k7 ,authority of the ,states 7#a7 ,in general ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed as interfering with1 diminishing1 or conflicting with the authority1 jurisdiction1 or responsibility of any ,state to exercise primary management1 control1 or regulation of fish and wildlife under ,state law 7including regulations7 on land or water within the ,state1 including on ,federal public land4 7#b7 ,federal licenses ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to authorize the head of a ,federal agency head to require a license1 fee1 or permit to fish1 hunt1 or trap on land or water in a ,state1 including on ,federal public land in the ,states1 except that this paragraph shall not affect the ,migratory ,bird ,stamp requirement set forth in the ,migratory ,bird ,hunting and ,conservation ,stamp ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gah et seq474 ,january #ca1 #bjad ,reported from the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,january #ca1 #bjad ,the ,committee on ,agriculture discharged2 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed