SENATE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ACT, A SIGNIFICANT CSF PRIORITY

(June 18, 2026) – Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the America the Beautiful Act, a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), which seeks to reauthorize and build upon the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act.

Our uniquely American federal public lands are central to our time-honored traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting. Not only do these lands and waters provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife that are cherished by sportsmen and women, but federal public lands also provide unmatched access opportunities to enjoy our sporting-traditions.

Unfortunately, our federal public lands face a significant headwind of deferred maintenance backlog such as roads, trails, bridges, campsites, etc., which threatens to limit access opportunities to these important places. The America the Beautiful Act, led by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Sen. Daines and CSC Co-Chair Sen. King, among dozens of other CSC Members, seeks to address the deferred maintenance challenge by providing $1.9 billion annually over five years to address deferred maintenance across the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, among federal agencies.

“CSF extends our appreciation to CSC Member Sen. Daines, CSC Co-Chair Sen. King, as well as Chairman Lee and Ranking Member Heinrich for their bipartisan efforts to see the America the Beautiful Act pass Committee,” said CSF Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz. “The Committee vote is a clear indicator that our public lands and outdoor traditions continue to be an unmatched area of bipartisan agreement”.

Just last week, the leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Bruce Westerman, Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), and CSC Member and Ranking Member Huffman, introduced and held a hearing on the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250, which is complementary to the efforts in the Senate through the America the Beautiful Act.

CSF would also like to thank President Trump and the White House for including $1.9 billion annually in their FY27 Budget Request for deferred maintenance. This funding request marked a critical step forward to seeing this effort become a reality.

Yesterday’s vote is a direct result of the commitment of Sens. Daines, King, Lee, and Heinrich to work in a pragmatic, collaborative manner to develop a product that received unanimous support in Committee. The America the Beautiful Act now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

UPDATE: HOUSE ADVANCES MASSACHUSETTS’ GOVERNOR’S PRO-HUNTING PROVISIONS

Article Contact: Fred Bird

Why It Matters: As the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has covered on many occasions, Massachusetts and Maine remain the only two states in the country with an outright ban on Sunday hunting. Governor Maura Healey introduced her supplemental budget, House Bill 5377, that included a full repeal of the Sunday hunting ban, updated crossbow language to allow for full inclusion in the archery season, and reduced setbacks during the archery season from 500 feet to 250 feet. The importance of these measures cannot be understated. They are major steps forward in removing barriers in the Bay State, and NOW remain in play for passage after being stripped from the original bill.

 Highlights: 

•  Massachusetts remains one of two states in the country with a complete prohibition on Sunday hunting — the other being a short ride north on I-95 to Maine.
• All three measures saw overwhelming support from the sporting-conservation community, backed by those in the public health community.
• Through the amendment process, all of the Governor’s pro-hunting positions have been revived and moved onto the Senate for the final conference report.

Earlier this year, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey introduced her proposed budget, which as originally written included a handful of pro-sporting provisions. As the budget process continued, these provisions were removed from the bill.

However, late Wednesday night on June 17, 2026, Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus House Co-Chair, Rep. David Vieira introduced amendments, restoring the original language that was stripped from H. 5377. The new bill and its amendments passed 151-0. Governor Healey called for these changes during a press conference in March of this year, describing the changes as commonsense updates for access, funding, and public health due to rising tick-borne illness affecting Bay Staters.

As stated in last week’s The Sportsmen’s Voice e-publication and podcast, the game clock has not yet hit 0:00, and as all Bay Staters can recall, being down 3-28 doesn’t mean a thing until the clock hits 0:00 in the fourth! We’re in the fourth quarter and need the Senate to do their part.   The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), in partnership with  Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus leadership, will continue to advance the Governor’s and Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus’s priorities for the benefit of sportsmen and women.

CSC CO-CHAIR WESTERMAN AND MEMBER HUFFMAN LEAD AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ACT THROUGH COMMITTEE

(June 24, 2026) – Washington, DC – Moments ago, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the America the Beautiful Act, which was formerly known as the Great American Outdoors Act 250, on a voice vote, a sign of the widespread support for this bill. This legislation was spearheaded through the Committee by the bill sponsors and leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Bruce Westerman, Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), and CSC Member and Ranking Member Jared Huffman.

This legislation, a top priority for CSF, seeks to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund to provide much-needed financial resources to restore the degraded infrastructure on federal public lands. Despite the criticality and unmatched support for our federal public lands, these lands and waters continue to face a significant backlog of deferred maintenance that has the potential to threaten access for sportsmen and women. This legislation will help turn the corner on this issue and improve opportunities to further enjoy our federal lands.

“CSF thanks Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, and the dozens of other Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members who sponsored this bill for their continued commitment to America’s sportsmen and women and federal public lands through the America the Beautiful Act,” said CSF Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz. “The passage of this legislation is a direct result of their commitments to work in a collaborative, bipartisan manner to craft a piece of legislation that is critical to all Americans who enjoy federal public lands.”

This bill, as passed by the Committee, also makes important modifications to the Legacy Restoration Fund, including directives that will help improve access opportunities specifically for sportsmen and women that utilize lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, such as the National Wildlife Refuge System. This language will ensure that projects within the Refuge System fund projects such as water control structures that are critical to sustaining waterfowl populations and fish, among others, that simultaneously support access for hunters and anglers. CSF strongly supports this change, and we are grateful for its inclusion.

Just last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed its version of the America the Beautiful Act. Both the House and Senate versions now await floor consideration in their respective chambers.

CSF SUPPORTS NORTH CAROLINA LAND AND WATER FUND

Article Contact: Conner Barker

Why It Matters: Access to quality hunting and fishing lands and waters comes in all shapes and sizes. However, regardless of the size of the property or quality of habitat, there is one common denominator when it comes to acquiring land – money. While hunters and anglers contribute through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), additional funding mechanisms that leverage multiple funding sources are often utilized by wildlife managers to purchase additional lands for hunting and angling access. 

Highlights: 

• The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) was first established in 1996 and was focused on protecting and restoring water resources, but was later expanded in 2013 to conserve natural, cultural, and historic resources and lands critical to the military.

• With the General Assembly closing in on a budget as part of the 2026 session, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), alongside other sporting-conservation partners, is asking the General Assembly to further support the NCLWF by providing additional one-time funding support through the budget and appropriations process.

• CSF submitted testimony to House and Senate leadership in support of providing additional funding for the NCLWF.

North Carolina is a large state with vast hunting and fishing opportunities for all to enjoy. Whether it’s renowned black bear hunting on the coast or grouse hunting in the mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy. A big part of what makes North Carolina such a great state for hunters and anglers is the large number of Game Lands throughout the state that are open for hunters and anglers to recreate on.

The NCLWF has contributed significantly to North Carolina’s Game Land program. In fact, the NCLWF has provided funding that helped contribute 350,000 acres to 50 Game Lands throughout the state. Outside of Game Land acquisitions, the NCLWF added land to state parks and natural areas, protected buffers on streams that support native trout, established parks and greenways for recreation, invested in military buffer zones, and protected cultural and historic sites.

For every dollar spent, the state leverages two dollars from private, federal, state, and local government sources, making the NCLWF very efficient and effective when it comes to delivering results that benefit hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationalists. Further investments in the NCLWF, which has a proven track record, would be a wise investment for North Carolina and one that would continue to benefit the state’s hunters and anglers.

As North Carolina continues to grow in population and more pressure is put on the state’s natural resources, CSF will continue to advocate for measures that invest in land acquisition, especially those that directly increase lands available to be used in pursuit of our time-honored traditions.

MABA REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ADMINISTRATION’S CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

Article Contact: Chris Horton

Why It Matters: The Trump Administration recently released its first progress report on implementation of the Make America Beautiful Again (MABA) Commission, providing sportsmen and women with a roadmap of its conservation and outdoor recreation priorities. From expanding access to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities to investing in habitat conservation and modernizing fish and wildlife management, the report reflects many of the policies the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long championed. The report reinforces a conservation approach centered on public access, collaborative stewardship, science-based management, and strong partnerships with states, private landowners, and the sporting-conservation community.

Highlights:

• Expanding Access: The report emphasizes new hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities on federal lands, implementation of the EXPLORE Act, investments in outdoor recreation infrastructure, and a new Department of the Interior policy establishing hunting and fishing as the default recreational use on federally managed public lands unless lawful exceptions apply.

• Strengthening Conservation: The report highlights continued investments in the Great American Outdoors Act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, wetlands conservation, fish and wildlife habitat restoration, fish passage, and voluntary conservation programs that support healthy ecosystems while working collaboratively with states and private landowners.

• Modernizing Management: The report also highlights efforts to modernize fisheries management using updated science, expand recreational fishing opportunities, streamline permitting, improve habitat through initiatives such as Rigs-to-Reefs, and reduce regulatory barriers.

Last week, the Trump Administration released the Make America Beautiful Again progress report, outlining actions taken to implement the Executive Order establishing the MABA Commission. Organized around five priorities—promoting stewardship while supporting economic growth; increasing access to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation; expanding voluntary conservation; reducing unnecessary bureaucracy; and recovering fish and wildlife through collaborative conservation—the report recognizes sportsmen and women as indispensable partners in conserving America’s natural resources. That recognition reflects a principle CSF has advanced for decades: America’s hunters and anglers are the nation’s first and most effective conservationists and remain essential to the future of fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

Among the report’s most significant announcements is a new Department of the Interior policy directing that hunting and fishing be considered the default recreational use on federally managed public lands wherever legally appropriate through Secretary Burgum’s January Secretarial Order. The report also highlights 42 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities across more than 87,000 acres within the National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish Hatchery Systems through the Hunt Fish Rule, continued implementation of the bipartisan EXPLORE Act to improve outdoor recreation access—including new target shooting opportunities—and ongoing investments through the Great American Outdoors Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Together, these actions reinforce the Administration’s commitment to expanding public access while supporting America’s time-honored sporting traditions.

The report also places significant emphasis on collaborative conservation. It highlights investments in wetland restoration, fish passage, forest conservation, and voluntary conservation programs that partner with private landowners, farmers, ranchers, Tribes, conservation organizations, and state fish and wildlife agencies to restore habitat while maintaining productive working lands. This cooperative, incentive-based approach to conservation has long been a cornerstone of CSF’s policy priorities because it delivers meaningful conservation outcomes while respecting private property rights and the authority of state fish and wildlife agencies.

For sportsmen, the report also signals continued efforts to modernize natural resource management. On the fisheries side, the Administration highlights improving management through updated science, habitat enhancement initiatives such as Rigs-to-Reefs, streamlined permitting, and policies designed to improve recreational fishing opportunities. Equally important are the report’s commitments to active wildlife management, habitat restoration, and reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers that can delay on-the-ground conservation projects. Together, these initiatives recognize that effective conservation depends on balancing healthy fish and wildlife populations with sustained public access and responsible use.

CSF appreciates the Administration’s continued commitment to advancing policies that benefit sportsmen and women while strengthening America’s conservation legacy. The report reflects many priorities that CSF continues to advance through the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, including expanding access, supporting state-led fish and wildlife management, investing in habitat conservation, and ensuring future generations can enjoy our nation’s hunting and angling traditions.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION STARTS WITH RECRUITMENT

Article Contact: Mark Lance

Why It Matters: America’s sporting heritage depends on more than healthy wildlife populations—it depends on people. As hunter participation fluctuates and longtime sportsmen age out of the field, efforts to recruit, retain, and reactivate (R3) hunters have become increasingly important. Expanding opportunities for new participants through youth hunting programs, apprentice licenses, and mentored experiences helps ensure the future of conservation funding, science-based wildlife management, and our time-honored outdoor traditions.

Highlights:

• Youth hunting opportunities provide safe, mentored introductions to the outdoors while fostering lifelong conservation values, which is why the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) led the charge over the past two years in Georgia and Tennessee to allow for hunter safety education in schools.

• Apprentice hunting license programs also reduce barriers to entry by allowing first-time hunters to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed mentor.

• R3 initiatives help states strengthen participation in hunting and ensure the long-term future of conservation.

Across the Southeast, state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and volunteers are investing in programs that welcome new hunters into the field. Whether through youth-only hunting seasons, mentored hunts, hunter education courses in schools, or apprentice license programs, these initiatives are creating opportunities for individuals of all ages to experience hunting while learning the responsibilities that come with it.

For many young hunters, a youth season represents their first opportunity to harvest game under the guidance of a parent, grandparent, or mentor. These experiences build confidence, reinforce safe firearm handling, and teach ethical hunting practices while creating lasting family traditions. Just as importantly, they help cultivate an appreciation for wildlife conservation and the important role hunters play in managing wildlife populations.

Apprentice hunting license programs have become another valuable recruitment tool across the Southeast. By allowing first-time hunters to participate under the supervision of an experienced, licensed mentor before completing hunter education requirements, these programs lower barriers to participation while maintaining a strong emphasis on safety and responsible hunting. For adults who did not grow up hunting, apprentice licenses often provide an accessible pathway into the sporting community.

These efforts are part of a broader commitment to Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation. While recruiting new participants remains essential, retaining current hunters and encouraging former hunters to return to the field are equally important. Together, these efforts help maintain a strong community of sportsmen and women who actively support wildlife conservation.

Sportsmen and women fuel the American System of Conservation Funding through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing tackle, and motorboat fuels. These user-generated dollars fund habitat restoration, wildlife research, public access improvements, hunter education, shooting ranges, and countless other conservation initiatives that benefit both game and nongame species. As participation changes over time, ensuring that new generations embrace the outdoors is critical to maintaining this successful conservation model.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation remains committed to working alongside state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses, state fish and wildlife agencies, and conservation partners throughout the Southeast to advance policies and programs that increase participation in hunting while protecting our nation’s rich sporting heritage for future generations.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY! DELAWARE’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION ADJOURNS WITH MANY VICTORIES FOR SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN

Article Contact: Kaleigh Leager

Why It Matters: Delaware was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thus enshrining it as the “First State.” While it is the “First State,” it is also the second smallest state by total land area in the entire U.S. Regardless of its size, Delaware continues to punch above its weight class when it comes to sportsmen and women’s policy issues. The 2026 legislative session was no different as several pro-sportsmen and women’s pieces of legislation were passed. 

Highlights:

• House Bill 278 (HB 278), or better known as the “Sportsmen’s Omnibus Bill”, introduced by the Caucus, made several positive changes for sportsmen and women in Delaware. This legislation was enacted by Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Meyer in June.

• House Substitute 1 (HS 1) for House Bill 427 (HB 427) introduced by the Caucus, allows 16- and 17-year-olds the ability to hunt with a BB gun, projectile weapon, and/or a firearm without the direct supervision of someone 21 years or older, provided they have permission of a parent or guardian, completed a hunter education course, and hold a valid Delaware hunting license. For target practice, the same requirements apply, except they are not required to hold a valid Delaware hunting license as they are not hunting. This bill is awaiting enactment from Governor Meyer.

• Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), introduced by Sen. Dave Wilson and members of the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus), sought to start the process of amending the Delaware State Constitution for the Right to Hunt, Fish, and Trap. With many amendments (Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212), it passed through the Senate unanimously but ultimately failed to make it out of the House or Representatives (with corrective amendments) before adjournment, ultimately leading to the legislation failing this year but providing a roadmap for the initiative’s future attempts in the “First State”.

During this legislative session, the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) was hard at work to expand access and opportunity for sportsmen and women in the “First State.” The Caucus achieved several significant victories for Delaware’s sporting-conservation community, including eliminating the state’s final statutory prohibitions on Sunday hunting – a longstanding priority of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). The Caucus also expanded hunting opportunities for young sportsmen and women and advanced an effort to enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and trap in the Delaware Constitution. Together, these initiatives strengthen outdoor access, support the next generation of sportsmen and women, and help sustain the conservation funding that benefits Delaware’s wildlife, natural resources, and all residents.

When it comes to the “Sportsmen’s Omnibus Bill,” Governor Meyer enacted this legislation in June of this year. As previously reported, this legislation removed the last standing legislative prohibition on Sunday hunting in the First State by removing small game from the list of prohibited species that may be lawfully hunted on Sundays. This legislation also removed the legislative prohibition on smokeless powder for muzzleloaders was also repealed, which allows the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) to potentially implement the use of FireStick-compatible muzzleloaders and airbows. This legislation also clarifies and updates what calibers may be used for straight wall cartridge hunting (greater than .30 cal).

Additionally as previously reported, the General Assembly passed HS 1 for HB 427 that will allow sportsmen and women ages 16 & 17 to hunt or recreational shoot with a firearm/projectile weapon unsupervised so long as they have parental/guardian permission and have passed the hunters safety course and hold an active hunting license (only required for hunting).

Finally, as previously reported, Delaware sought to adopt the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap. CSF testified in strong support of the original language before the Senate Executive Committee, but it was unfortunately amended by the same committee to a version that undermined the intent of such a constitutional amendment. Though it made it through the Senate as amended, it did not make it through the House of Representatives before adjournment and is now “dead.” Delaware has a unique process for amending their state constitution.  It is the only state in the U.S. that does not require voter approval (via ballot measure) to amend the state constitution. To amend the State Constitution, the proposed amendment must be agreed upon by two-thirds majority of its elected members in both chambers. Then it is required that it must be published three months prior to the next general election in at least 3 newspapers in each county. Finally, after the election, the subsequent General Assembly must vote on the same amendment again, passing both chambers by two-thirds majority. CSF looks forward to working with the Caucus on this initiative in the future.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds the Delaware Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for continuing to champion pro-sportsmen and women’s legislation. Additionally, CSF thanks Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Governor Matt Meyer, for supporting the First State’s Sportsmen and Women.