Welcome to BHA's State Policy Spotter – a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting our wild public lands, waters and wildlife across North America.
Note: The Policy Spotter is not a comprehensive list of legislation or issues that BHA chapters are working on, but rather a spotlight in the moment of what is moving. There are many more bills and issues BHA's chapters are grappling with, so be sure to check out individual chapter pages for more news and updates.
February 2026
California: BHA Supports AB 1624 – Public Lands Protection Act. News
California BHA joined Trout Unlimited in supporting AB 1624, legislation that disincentivize the sale of public lands in California and safeguard conservation values on any public lands if they are ever sold or transferred out of federal ownership. The bill would apply strong, conservation-oriented zoning to former federal lands and require CEQA review before development, helping ensure habitat, water quality, and public recreation opportunities are not lost through privatization. For hunters and anglers, AB 1624 provides an important backstop to keep fish and wildlife habitat intact and to prevent landscapes historically open to public use from being converted to incompatible development. California BHA will continue working with partners to advance the bill and ensure sportsmen’s voices are represented as it moves through the legislature.
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Massachusetts: Sunday Hunting, Crossbows, Setbacks. News
The Governor of Massachusetts launched an initiative that tasked MassWildlife, the state fish and wildlife agency, to host a series of listening sessions on three laws that restrict hunting opportunities: the prohibition on Sunday hunting, crossbow limitations, and excessive setback limits. The New England Chapter’s Massachusetts state leadership team actively engaged in the process, educating the public through a targeted webinar and outreach campaign. This collective effort focused on advocating for the repeal of these statutes to return regulatory authority to MassWildlife, paving the way for more hunting opportunities and for future stakeholder collaboration.
New Hampshire: Constitutional Right to Hunt, Fish, Harvest. News
CACR 15 is a proposed amendment that aims to cement the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game in the New Hampshire Constitution, while upholding conservation, science-based management, and public access as core principles. The New England Chapter’s New Hampshire state leadership team gave testimony to the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee, as did many other BHA members supporting this effort. If passed, New Hampshire would be the 25th state with this provision in their constitution.
Oregon: Chapter Supports Bill to Codify Corner Crossing. News
Oregon BHA supports SB 1545, bipartisan legislation that brings clarity to corner crossing—stepping from one parcel of public land to another at a shared corner—by reducing unnecessary legal exposure for both landowners and public land users. The bill codifies what BHA has long asserted—that corner crossing is not a crime. It shields landowners from liability claims and public land users from unlawful trespass claims and litigation tied to corner crossing as long as it is done at the precise corner and without causing actual damage to private property. SB 1545 does not create an easement across private property and maintains longstanding private property protections. By replacing uncertainty with clear rules, SB 1545 helps prevent conflict and litigation, providing common-sense guidance for landowners, sportsmen, and law enforcement alike.
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Virginia: “Great Outdoors Act.” News
HB641 called the "Virginia's Great Outdoors Act" would establish a $3/square foot data center land conservation tax to generate a dedicated minimum distribution of $250 million annually for land conservation, public-lands acquisition, trails, park and wildlife infrastructure, and related grants. The Mid-Atlantic chapter is actively supporting the initiative to secure long-term funding for public access and habitat protection.
Washington: Bill Targets Toxic Tire Chemical Threatening Salmon. News
Washington BHA joined a broad coalition urging passage of HB 2421/SB 6119, legislation to accelerate removal of 6PPD, a tire additive that transforms into 6PPD-Q—a compound shown to be lethal to coho salmon in urban stormwater. The bill would prohibit the sale of 6PPD-containing tires by 2035, establish modest manufacturer fees to spur safer alternatives, and direct revenue to research, monitoring, and cleanup of contaminated waterways. Studies have documented up to 80% mortality in juvenile coho exposed to 6PPD-Q, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect fisheries, Tribal treaty resources, and clean water. BHA supports this science-based approach that safeguards salmon and steelhead while giving industry time to transition to safer products and preventing replacement chemicals that could create new risks.
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