General Congressional Update
Congress spent much of May focused on advancing a large budget reconciliation package and beginning work on fiscal year 2027 (FY27) appropriations. On May 22, the House passed its version of a reconciliation bill, sending the legislation to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to make significant changes before considering final passage. At the same time, Congress held a series of budget hearings with cabinet secretaries and agency leaders, including Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, while continuing work on annual spending bills that will determine funding levels for public land and natural resource agencies in FY27.
National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Expansion
On May 27, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed expanding hunting and sport fishing opportunities across 111 federal field stations, including 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries in 32 states. According to the agency, the proposal would create more than 1,450 new hunting and fishing opportunities, update refuge-specific regulations, and make more than 500 regulation revisions intended to simplify existing refuge rules.
BHA welcomes any effort to responsibly expand hunting and fishing opportunities on our public lands and waters. At the same time, not every expansion of hunting opportunity necessarily translates into meaningful access on the ground. BHA believes that expansion of public use should be accompanied by adequate staffing, funding, and management capacity within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
BHA is also closely reviewing provisions that would rescind previously finalized lead ammunition and fishing tackle regulations at nine refuges. BHA has long supported voluntary lead reduction programs and recognizes that lead restrictions may be appropriate in certain circumstances when supported by the best available science and site-specific management needs. While BHA generally supports the proposal's efforts to expand opportunity, we are encouraging members to review the details and participate in the public comment process to help ensure the final rule supports both access and long-term conservation outcomes.
See the link to BHA’s action alert and comment on this proposed rule here: link
See BHA’a policy position on the use of lead ammo and tackle here: link
See BHA’s action alert on supporting fully staffed federal land management agencies here: link
Off-Highway Vehicle Executive Order
On May 29, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order rescinding Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, two longstanding directives that have guided federal management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on public lands for more than 50 years. The order directs federal agencies to review and revise the regulations developed under those directives as part of a broader effort to expand access and recreational opportunities on federal lands.
The Executive Order does not immediately open new roads, trails, or areas to motorized use. However, it begins a broader regulatory process that could reshape how agencies manage motorized recreation in the future. Because Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 provided the foundation for how agencies balance motorized recreation with wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and other public land uses, rescinding them could result in significant changes to future travel management decisions across federal lands.
BHA supports existing travel management frameworks that help federal land managers balance recreational access with the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat, backcountry hunting and fishing opportunities, and other public land values. We will continue monitoring agency actions and advocating for science-based management approaches that maintain both public access and the wild character of our public lands for future generations.
Public Lands Integrity Act
Throughout May, BHA has been tracking and advocating for the Public Lands Integrity Act, legislation designed to ensure that proposals to sell or dispose of federal public lands cannot be advanced in future budget reconciliation packages with a simple majority vote in the Senate. The effort gained momentum this month with the introduction of bipartisan companion legislation in the House by Gabe Vasquez and Juan Ciscomani, joining legislation previously introduced by Senator Michael Bennet.
The legislation would require future public land sale proposals to move through the normal legislative process rather than being fast-tracked through reconciliation. BHA strongly supports the bill and has been actively working to build bipartisan support in both chambers to help ensure decisions about America's public lands remain transparent and subject to public debate.
See more details on BHA’s support of the Public Lands Integrity Act here: link
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