Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
This bill prevents the federal government from creating broad bans or limits on lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands and waters managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Existing federal rules that ban lead shot for waterfowl hunting would remain in effect. A federal agency could only restrict lead gear in a specific area if field data proves lead is the primary cause of a local wildlife decline and state wildlife authorities approve or have consistent policies.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Hunters and anglers on federal lands and watersSec. 2(a) protects the ability of hunters and anglers to use lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters by prohibiting broad federal bans or lead-level regulations.
- State fish and wildlife agenciesSec. 2(b)(2) ensures that site-specific federal lead restrictions cannot be imposed unless they are consistent with state law, match state agency policy, or receive direct state agency approval.
Who it burdens
- Federal land and wildlife management agenciesSec. 2(a)-(c) restricts the regulatory authority of the Department of the Interior (FWS, BLM) and Forest Service, preventing broad lead bans and requiring unit-specific field data, state alignment or approval, and Federal Register notices for any localized restrictions.
The provisions, in plain language.
Bars the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service from banning lead ammunition or fishing tackle, or regulating lead levels in gear, on federal lands and waters open to hunting or fishing, maintaining existing federal waterfowl hunting restrictions.
Allows lead ammunition or tackle restrictions on a specific unit of federal land or water only if local field data shows lead is the primary cause of wildlife population decline and the rule aligns with or is approved by the relevant state wildlife agency.
Requires federal officials to publish an explanation in the Federal Register demonstrating how any site-specific lead restriction meets the required scientific evidence and state approval standards.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 22 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 209 (Roll no. 92).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2581-2582)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 556, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Dingell demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2580)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 556.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2576-2580)
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 335.
- Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 209 (Roll no. 92).
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 556, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-556. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.