Why It Matters – As the 118th Congress enters the final sprint to the finish line, opportunities to pass legislation become increasingly challenging with each passing day. However, last week the House passed two important bills for sportsmen and women, natural resource conservation, and coastal fishing communities. The America Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act (S. 3791) and the FISHES Act (H.R. 5103) both cleared the House with overwhelming support and are headed to the Senate for final action.
Highlights:
- The ACE Reauthorization Act will reauthorize fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation programs across the nation that are important to sportsmen and women.
- The FISHES Act will expedite federal disaster relief for fishing communities, including recreational fishing businesses, following fishery disaster declarations.
Last Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) priority bills under suspension of the rules – the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (S. 3791) and the “Bipartisan Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act” (FISHES) Act (H.R. 5103).
The ACE Reauthorization Act will reauthorize several longstanding priorities for CSF and many sporting-conservation organizations. Specifically, the ACE Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships program, and will provide important protections for America’s 52 million anglers, among others. S. 3791 cleared the Senate under unanimous consent earlier this year, but the House made slight amendments to the bill that will require Senate approval once more.
“We are grateful that conservation remains a priority among a long list of bills pending before the conclusion of the 118th Congress,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “The ACE Reauthorization Act will ensure that proven, highly successful programs that benefit fish, wildlife, and water quality across the nation will continue to restore, conserve, and enhance our natural resources from coast to coast.”
In addition to the ACE Reauthorization Act, the House cleared the FISHES Act by voice vote. This bill aims to expedite federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. Environmental changes and natural disasters can create severe economic hardships for coastal fishing communities, including the sportfishing industry. While recent legislation has streamlined NOAA’s disaster review process, delays on the final approval of spending plans by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) can remain a challenge. The FISHES Act establishes a reasonable deadline for this approval, allowing necessary funds to reach struggling fishing businesses promptly.
CSF will continue working to see that these and other sporting-community priorities become law in 2024.
