Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025, which would reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through 2030. Since its enactment in 1950, the Trust Fund, which is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, has provided more than $40 billion in funding for state-based conservation programs, recreational boating access and safety, aquatic resources education, and fisheries management and restoration.

“Growing up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed gave me a deep appreciation for our waterways and a passion for conservation and fishing that still drives my work today,” said Congressman Wittman. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill, which supports vital investments in sport fish species and habitat restoration, recreational fishing access, and boating infrastructure. This legislation helps ensure the long-term health of our coastal sport fisheries so that future generations can enjoy our public waters and the great American outdoors.”

“For 75 years the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund has provided critical resources for conservation and strengthens outdoor recreation opportunities for boaters and anglers,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “First enacted in 1950 through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, the Trust Fund continues to safeguard our environmental heritage and improve access to the outdoors for all Americans. We look forward to renewing the Trust Fund as a bipartisan effort and supporting important resources for recreational fishing and protecting our ecosystems.”

This bill would: 

• Reauthorize the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund for another 5 years
• Update apportionment for Interstate Fisheries Commissions from a flat amount to a percentage to increase funding
• Expand domestic fuel options for boaters 
• Reduce tax on aerated bait buckets from 10% to 3%, enabling more competitive pricing and reducing the competitive disadvantage faced by manufacturers of aerated bait buckets

The legislation is endorsed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the American Sportfishing Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMAA), and BoatUS.

“For 75 years, the Sportfish Restoration Act has been providing funding for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education,” said Judy Camuso, President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “This funding provides critical support to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies, ensuring that sport fish populations and aquatic habitats are healthy, sustainable, and available for future generations.”

“With 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan is home to great boating and fantastic fishing opportunities,” said Shannon Lott, Michigan DNR Natural Resources Deputy Director. “I thank Congresswoman Dingell and Congressman Wittman for introducing the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025, which will ensure that Michigan continues to receive critical funding generated from excise taxes paid on fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, and electric motors to support its efforts to restore and managing sportfish and provide public access for recreational boating.”

“In Virginia, the apportionment we receive from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund provides critical funding for programs that conserve aquatic resources and support safe, accessible recreational boating,” said Ryan Brown, Director of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Chair of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Executive Committee. “These investments ensure that anglers and boaters can continue to enjoy our waterways for generations to come and sustain outdoor recreation and local economies across the Commonwealth.”

“The Sport Fish Restoration Program is a model of collaborative conservation that is envied the world over,” said Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association. “The sportfishing equipment manufacturers we represent are proud to pay the federal excise tax on fishing equipment because they know it is being put to good use in support of aquatic resource conservation, access and fishing participation projects that benefit the future of the sport. As we celebrate the program’s 75th anniversary, we thank Reps. Dingell and Wittman for leading the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act so this program can continue well into the future.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Representatives Dingell and Wittman, we are one step closer to reauthorizing the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and ensuring that the program begins addressing modern issues impacting the recreational boating community,“ said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA Chief Executive Officer and President. “Paid for by recreational boaters, anglers, and manufacturers, the Trust Fund is the backbone of fisheries habitat restoration and boating infrastructure, providing critical funding for these efforts at the national and state levels, and we call on all members of Congress to swiftly approve this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill."

“With over 11 million registered boats in the United States, the reauthorization of the Sportfish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is critical to ensuring access to our shared waterways," said David Kennedy, Manager of Boat U.S. Government Affairs. "This fund supports vital conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements that preserve aquatic ecosystems and enhance boating for everyone. On behalf of BoatUS members nationwide, we thank Representatives Dingell and Wittman for introducing this widely supported bill that will benefit all who enjoy the water.”

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