On July 15, 2025, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee voted to advance two major pieces of NRA-backed hunting legislation that could significantly shape the future of wildlife conservation and public land access. The two bills—H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, and H.R. 281, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act—were both supported by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) and are now awaiting a vote on the House floor.
H.R. 556: Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers
Introduced by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-1), H.R. 556 aims to block federal agencies from banning traditional lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters without clear scientific justification. The bill would apply to the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, ensuring that sportsmen and women can continue to use affordable, widely available equipment.
“As a lifelong hunter and recreational fisherman, I was appalled by the Biden-Harris administration’s quest to restrict access for our nation’s sportsmen,” said Wittman. “Affordable lead ammunition and tackle are crucial to reducing financial barriers that limit accessibility for sportsmen and women.”
The bill is a direct response to previous efforts by federal agencies and environmental groups to prohibit the use of traditional materials due to environmental concerns. NRA-ILA has long argued that such restrictions are both scientifically questionable and economically harmful to the hunting community.
H.R. 281: Returning Grizzly Management to the States
Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY-AL) introduced H.R. 281 to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) population of grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act. Grizzly numbers in the region have surpassed recovery benchmarks, with current estimates more than doubling the original 500-bear goal.
“The Greater Yellowstone Grizzly has far exceeded its recovery goals,” Hageman stated. “Yet Washington bureaucrats continue to obstruct delisting with needless delays and politicized decisions. Wyoming families are the ones bearing the burden—not D.C. activists.”
Her bill seeks to shift management responsibility back to the states, citing the rise in grizzly-human conflicts, livestock loss, and property damage. According to Hageman, federal mismanagement has turned a conservation success story into a local public safety issue.
Senate Companions and Appropriations Progress
Senate versions of both bills have also been introduced. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) sponsored S. 537, the Senate counterpart to H.R. 556, while Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced S. 316, mirroring H.R. 281. Both await review by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In a related move, the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee passed similar language on July 15 that would prevent bans on traditional ammunition and delist the GYE grizzlies. These provisions are now pending review by the full Appropriations Committee.
NRA-ILA Applauds Progress
The NRA Institute for Legislative Action has celebrated these legislative advancements, framing them as vital to the protection of sportsmen’s rights and conservation integrity.
“These bills are essential to preserving access, affordability, and state authority in wildlife management,” the NRA-ILA stated. “We will continue to work closely with Congress to ensure these measures become law under President Trump.”
As the bills advance toward a full House vote and potential Senate action, hunters, anglers, and outdoor advocates across the country are watching closely. These legislative developments reflect a broader pushback against federal overreach and environmental activism that many argue threaten traditional outdoor lifestyles.
