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Backcountry Beat

Backcountry Beat, September 2023

Friend —

After hard lobbying by our staff on the Hill, school-based hunter's education and the National Archery in the Schools Program are protected once more.

BHA has consistently shared our frustration with the Department of Education’s interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed last year, which has prohibited funds for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act from being used for “training in the use of a dangerous weapon.” But essentially, some schools were withholding funding for the National Archery in the Schools Program and hunter education programs.

BHA took a leading role in working with legislators in Congress and partners in the hunting and shooting sports communities, with encouragement from the Department of Education, to ensure a swift and decisive legislative solution to clarify the law and return funding to these programs.

The first week after August recess, the House Education and Workforce Committee unanimously voted to advance an amended version of the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act (H.R. 5110) led by Rep. Mark Green (R-TN). Within two weeks, the full House passed the bill 424-1. The Senate passed the bill under unanimous consent on Sept. 27. It now moves to the desk of the president, who has committed to signing it.

BHA is committed to building the next generation of conservation leaders, and the fact that this bill was introduced and passed into law within 10 legislative days is a testament to its importance and our community's work in Congress.

We thank the sponsors on behalf of the four bills that were introduced in the Senate to address this issue: S. 2735 led by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), S. 2736 led by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), S. 2802 led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and S. 2828 led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) - as well as Rep. Green for championing this priority.

Policy Updates

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Policy, stewardship, and conservation work are all part of our chapters' work this past month!

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