The SHARE Act, more commonly known as The Sportsmen’s Act reincarnated, is currently in the House of Representatives as HR Bill 3668. After several attempts under a different bill name and number, it failed to pass. Now, the SHARE Act is back with a vengeance and this time it stands a very good chance of passing under party lines.

 

Key hunting and fishing components of House Bill 3668 include:

 

• Prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Forest Service (AG) from banning lead in fishing tackle and other outdoor equipment.

 

• Requiring the National Park Service (NPS) to get prior state approval before enacting any marine fishing closures. This is vitally important to many of our retailers in park areas like Key Biscayne, FL, Cape Hatteras, NC and Cape Lookout, NC to name just a few.

 

• Prioritizing hunting and fishing in federal land management planning discussions and negotiations, something not done in previous administrations.

 

The Bill is currently in The House Natural Resources Committee hearings and then will go through markup before passing out of committee and going to the full House. We’ll let you know when the time comes to write or call your Representative and let him or her know we need their support for this Bill.