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.

---

May 2026

Colorado: Commission Appointments Draw Scrutiny Leading to Resignations. News

Colorado hunters and anglers and a broad group of stakeholders engaged ahead of recent confirmation votes for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, respectfully raising concerns about whether the nominees aligned with the Commission’s statutory obligations and long-standing commitment to science-based wildlife management and stakeholder-driven conservation. Colorado BHA members generated more than 370 messages to State Senators, urging thoughtful consideration and opposition of the appointments of John Emerick and Christopher Sichko. Ultimately, both nominees resigned from consideration following this engagement and broader scrutiny. The outcome underscores the importance of respectful public input and ensuring Commission appointments meet statutory requirements while maintaining balanced representation of hunting, angling, and conservation interests.

LEARN MORE

 

California: BHA Helps to Secure Second Bear Tag & Expanded Hunt Zones. News.

The California Fish and Game Commission approved a regulatory package allowing hunters to purchase a second black bear tag in addition to expanded hunt zones for black bears in northeastern California—an outcome shaped in part by sustained advocacy from BHA and partner organizations. BHA members helped secure this win through advocacy and support for the Black Bear Management & Conservation Plan, BHA's $8,000 investment in bear population research in Lassen County to support science-based decision making, and a petition to the Fish & Game Commission. The expanded hunt areas are in Lassen and Modoc counties, reflecting current bear distribution and population trends. Importantly, the statewide harvest cap remains unchanged, with the second tag providing a targeted tool to better achieve existing management objectives. The decision represents a step toward more responsive, data-driven management while expanding opportunity for hunters in the Golden State.

LEARN MORE

 

New Mexico: Lawmakers Raise Concerns with New Mexico's Tag Allocation System. Take Action

New Mexico lawmakers are calling for a closer look at the state’s hunting tag system, raising concerns in a formal request to Raúl Torrez about whether current practices align with public trust obligations. At issue is the 10% outfitter set-aside, which requires hunters to contract with an outfitter to access that pool of tags. When combined with the EPLUS system, lawmakers are questioning whether the overall structure shifts opportunity away from the public draw and toward those with the financial means to participate. The inquiry also raises potential concerns under the state’s Anti-Donation Clause, focusing attention on fairness, transparency, and whether public wildlife is being managed for the benefit of the people.

TAKE ACTION

 

New Jersey: Bill Would Reshape Fish and Game Council. News.

Assembly Bill A2005 and Senate Bill S471 would drastically restructure New Jersey's Fish and Game Council by cutting sportsmen representation in half, from six seats to three, and replacing those seats with three animal welfare organization representatives. This shift undermines the North American Model of Conservation by reducing influence of hunters and anglers who fund wildlife conservation through licenses, stamps, and excise taxes while bringing essential field experience to management decisions. The bills maintain the council's 11-member size, meaning the new animal welfare seats come directly from the current sportsmen allocation rather than expanding representation. New Jersey sportsmen and women must oppose this legislation to ensure wildlife management remains science-based rather than driven by emotion and that decision-making stays in the hands of stakeholders who actively fund and participate in conservation.

LEARN MORE

 

Massachusetts:  Breakthrough on Statutory Restrictions. Take Action

Governor Maura Healey has filed a supplemental budget containing three landmark hunting provisions that would eliminate the ban on Sunday hunting, reduce archery setback distances from 500 to 250 feet from occupied dwellings, and expand crossbow access by removing medical exemption requirements. This represents a major victory for science-based wildlife management after decades of advocacy. The provisions would provide critical tools for wildlife managers to address overabundant deer populations while expanding opportunities for hunters facing urban logistics and family scheduling challenges. However, these changes must still pass through the Massachusetts State House, making immediate action from hunters and anglers essential to contact their state legislators in support of these conservation-focused provisions. 

TAKE ACTION

 

Rhode Island: BHA Defends Landmark Shoreline Access Law in State Supreme Court. News

The New England Chapter’s Rhode Island Team, after years of advocacy that led to the passage of a landmark shoreline access law in 2023, is now defending that victory in court. Following immediate legal challenges from private property interests, BHA has filed a joint amicus curiae brief with the Surfrider Foundation, urging the Rhode Island Supreme Court to uphold the law. The brief details the state's constitutional shoreline rights and argues the law provides needed certainty for both the public and landowners. The chapter continues to monitor the case and will pursue all avenues to protect this critical public access.

LEARN MORE