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119-hr-6864119th Congress

SAW Act

Sponsored By: Representative Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

Introduced

Summary

Ban on using motor vehicles to harass or hunt mammalian predators on federal land. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to investigate suspected violations and to request assistance from federal, state, and local agencies.

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  • Hunters and recreationists: Would face criminal penalties of up to $10,000 in fines or up to 5 years in prison for intentionally using a motor vehicle to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a mammalian predator on Federal land. The bill allows an exception for actions taken to avoid injury or death.
  • Federal land managers and law enforcement: The Secretary of the Interior may conduct investigations and obtain help from the FBI, the Department of the Treasury, and other federal agencies, and may request assistance from state and local law enforcement.
  • Wildlife and conservation: Aims to protect mammalian predators on Federal land. The Secretary will define which species count as a "mammalian predator".

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Vehicle hunting ban on federal land

If enacted, the bill would make it a crime to intentionally use a motor vehicle to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a mammalian predator on Federal land. A violation would be punishable by a fine up to $10,000, up to 5 years in prison, or both. The bill would not apply when the action was taken to avoid injury or death to yourself or another person. The bill would also define "Federal land" to exclude lands held in trust for tribes or individual American Indians, define "motor vehicle" broadly (self-propelled vehicles on roads, rails, ground, water, or in the air), and let the Secretary set the meaning of "mammalian predator."

Interior investigation powers for vehicle hunts

If enacted, the Secretary of the Interior (or an authorized person) would be able to investigate whether someone violated this bill. The Secretary would be able to get help from the FBI, the Department of the Treasury, and other federal agencies. The Secretary would also be able to request and accept help from State and local law enforcement and agencies. This authority would start upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/22/2026

  • Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 2/23/2026

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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