# 2026-00676: Fish and Wildlife Funding Gets a Smoother, Less Tangled Path 2026-00676, Administrative Requirements; Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-01-15, effective 2026-03-16 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00676 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-00676 - Title: Administrative Requirements; Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts - Type: Rule - Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service - Citation: 91 FR 1874 - Published: 2026-01-15 - Effective: 2026-03-16 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BB84 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Fish and Wildlife Funding Gets a Smoother, Less Tangled Path ## 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! ## Abstract We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made deregulatory actions pertaining to Federal financial assistance programs and subprograms authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to better serve the American public, streamline government operations, and increase efficiencies for recipients of our financial assistance programs. This final rule reflects recent legislation; aligns with the Office of Management and Budget's administrative rules for Federal financial assistance; aligns with other laws, standards, and administrative processes; responds to comments and feedback on our 2019 rulemaking action; and provides clarity to help ensure consistency in administering our financial assistance programs and subprograms across the Nation. ## Effects PRIA read - Streamlined Grant Rules for States: benefit, high. 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 regula… - 90/10/5 Public Range Cost Share: benefit, high. 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… - Expanded R3 and Communications Funding: benefit, medium. 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 demonstr… - Maintenance and Third-Party Ops Eligible: benefit, medium. 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) e… - Clarified Investment of License Revenue: benefit, low. 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 regulat… - Electronic Licensing Systems Can Be Funded: benefit, medium. 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 c… - Rules for Counting License Holders: benefit, medium. 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 mo… - Barter Allowed When Following Laws: benefit, low. 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. ## Related documents - [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21 - [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16 - [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14 - [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 - [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26 ## Sources - [2026-00676 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00676/administrative-requirements-pittman-robertson-wildlife-restoration-and-dingell-johnson-sport-fish) - [2026-00676 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-15/pdf/2026-00676.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-00675, Implementation of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnso…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00675) - [Next: 2026-00677, New Source Performance Standards Review for Stationary Combustion Turbines and…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00677) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00676 (as of 2026-06-11).