Bureaucrats Trim Red Tape for Wildlife Restoration Funding Acts
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Rule
Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service is cleaning up rules tied to the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts to make things simpler and faster for wildlife and fishing programs. This change helps states and groups get money more easily to protect animals and fish. The new rules kick in on March 16, 2026, unless people send in big objections by February 17, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State Grant Eligibility Clarified
The rule revises 50 CFR 80.10 to state that States, acting through their fish and wildlife agencies, are eligible for benefits of the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts only if they pass and maintain legislation described in the Acts and maintain control of revenue from hunting and fishing licenses. The rule says that that revenue must be used for administration of the State fish and wildlife agency and that a State becomes ineligible for program benefits if it fails materially to comply with any law, regulation, or term of a grant related to acceptance and use of funds. The rule is effective March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comments are received by February 17, 2026.
Redundant Rules Removed; Grants Streamlined
The rule removes multiple CFR sections that the Service says duplicate language found in the Acts, in 2 CFR part 200, or in the annual notice of funding opportunities (NOFO) — including sections 80.10(a-c), 80.11, 80.12, 80.66, 80.80, 80.90, 80.121, and 80.123. The preamble states these rescissions will streamline government operations and increase efficiencies for recipients of the Service's financial assistance programs. The rule is effective March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comments are received by February 17, 2026.
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Key Dates
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