H.R. 2316 · Signed into law · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

Sponsor: Jeff Hurd (R-CO)

What it does

• Extends a requirement for interest earned on the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund to be directed to wetlands conservation and restoration programs under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act through fiscal
• Preserves funding flow from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment for wetlands conservation instead of allowing it to revert to traditional state wildlife restoration allocations.
• Delays until fiscal year 2033 the expiration of a mandate requiring interest earnings to support wetlands programs that was scheduled to end at the beginning of fiscal year 2026.

Official summary

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 This act extends until FY2033 a requirement for the interest earned on certain funds held in the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund to be distributed to states for carrying out certain wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Specifically, the act extends the period in which the interest earned on revenue generated from excise taxes on certain firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment must be used for wildlife conservation and restoration programs established under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This requirement was set to expire at the beginning of FY2026. In the absence of this requirement, this funding would be distributed to states, according to a formula, for (1) wildlife restoration, (2) hunter education and safety, (3) multistate conservation grants, and (4) administrative costs.

Latest action

Nov 25, 2025: Became Public Law No: 119-40.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works