Fish and Wildlife Funding Gets a Smoother, Less Tangled Path
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making it easier and faster for states and groups to get money for wildlife and fish projects by cutting red tape and updating rules. These changes follow new laws and feedback to keep things clear and fair nationwide. The new rules start March 16, 2026, so get ready to enjoy smoother funding for outdoor fun and conservation!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Streamlined Grant Rules for States
The Fish and Wildlife Service updated administrative rules to make it easier and faster for States and similar groups to get Federal awards under the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts. The program apportions about $1.6 billion each year to State fish and wildlife agencies, and these regulatory updates take effect March 16, 2026.
90/10/5 Public Range Cost Share
The rule codifies the '90/10/5' administrative advantage for public target range projects: Federal cost share can be up to 90 percent, the non-Federal share is 10 percent or more, and the period of availability for those funds is 5 years. This applies to activities for acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges.
Expanded R3 and Communications Funding
States may now fund a wider set of recruiting, retaining, or reactivating (R3) activities and related communications. Eligible R3 examples explicitly mentioned include hiring shooting trainers and hunting guides, optimizing State websites, buying supplies for participants, mentoring, field demonstrations, and training simulators; public relations may be allowable when it meets 2 CFR part 200 criteria.
Maintenance and Third-Party Ops Eligible
Traditional Wildlife Restoration program funds can be used for maintenance and some operations on projects or equipment owned or managed by a State fish and wildlife agency. Funds may also be used for maintenance/operations of third-party-owned projects if a binding agreement (such as a subaward) ensures the project continues to serve the award purposes.
Electronic Licensing Systems Can Be Funded
Costs for State electronic data and licensing systems may be eligible for funding when they support eligible activities and follow the Service's guidance and processes. The rule incorporates the existing guidance processes into the regulations so States can apply grant funds for qualifying system costs.
Rules for Counting License Holders
The regulation clarifies how States count individual paid license holders for apportionment purposes: a license holder may be counted only in the certification period when the license first becomes valid; a single-year license may be valid from 1 day up to 2 years; and a license valid 2 years or more is treated as a multiyear license. These standards guide how State agencies report counts that affect annual apportionments.
Clarified Investment of License Revenue
The rule clarifies that investing surplus license revenue that is not needed for immediate agency administration does not count as a loss of control of those funds under Sec. 80.20(e). States therefore have flexibility to invest surplus license revenue without losing control of it under the regulations.
Barter Allowed When Following Laws
States may use barter to carry out a grant-funded project when they follow State procurement laws and the updated Federal accounting standards reflected in Secs. 80.97 and 80.98. The rule clarifies barter is permissible under those conditions.
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Key Dates
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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.
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