[House Report 113-336]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
113th Congress Rept. 113-336
} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES {
2d Session } { Part 1
======================================================================
SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENT ACT
_______
January 29, 2014.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Hastings of Washington, from the Committee on Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
DISSENTING VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2799]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2799) to establish the Wildlife and Hunting
Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to advise the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and
habitat conservation, hunting, recreational shooting, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as
amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sportsmen's Heritage And Recreational
Enhancement Act'' or the ``SHARE Act''.
SEC. 2. WILDLIFE AND HUNTING HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 10. WILDLIFE AND HUNTING HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Wildlife and
Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee (in this
section referred to as the `Advisory Committee') to advise the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and habitat
conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting.
``(b) Duties of the Advisory Committee.--The Advisory Committee shall
advise the Secretaries with regard to--
``(1) implementation of Executive Order No. 13443:
Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation,
which directs Federal agencies `to facilitate the expansion and
enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game
species and their habitat';
``(2) policies or programs to conserve and restore wetlands,
agricultural lands, grasslands, forest, and rangeland habitats;
``(3) policies or programs to promote opportunities and
access to hunting and shooting sports on Federal lands;
``(4) policies or programs to recruit and retain new hunters
and shooters;
``(5) policies or programs that increase public awareness of
the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and
economic benefits of recreational hunting and shooting; and
``(6) policies or programs that encourage coordination among
the public, the hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife
conservation groups, and States, tribes, and the Federal
Government.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) Appointment.--
``(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall
consist of no more than 16 discretionary members and 7
ex officio members.
``(B) Ex officio members.--The ex officio members
are--
``(i) the Director of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service or a designated
representative of the Director;
``(ii) the Director of the Bureau of Land
Management or a designated representative of
the Director;
``(iii) the Director of the National Park
Service or a designated representative of the
Director;
``(iv) the Chief of the Forest Service or a
designated representative of the Chief;
``(v) the Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service or a designated
representative of the Chief;
``(vi) the Administrator of the Farm Service
Agency or a designated representative of the
Administrator; and
``(vii) the Executive Director of the
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
``(C) Discretionary members.--The discretionary
members shall be appointed jointly by the Secretaries
from at least one of each of the following:
``(i) State fish and wildlife agencies.
``(ii) Game bird hunting organizations.
``(iii) Wildlife conservation organizations.
``(iv) Big game hunting organizations.
``(v) The tourism, outfitter, or guiding
industry.
``(vi) The firearms or ammunition
manufacturing industry.
``(vii) The hunting or shooting equipment
retail industry.
``(viii) Tribal resource management
organizations.
``(ix) The agriculture industry.
``(x) The ranching industry.
``(xi) Waterfowl hunting organizations.
``(D) Eligibility.--Prior to the appointment of the
discretionary members, the Secretaries shall determine
that all individuals nominated for appointment to the
Advisory Committee, and the organization each
individual represents, actively support and promote
sustainable-use hunting, wildlife conservation, and
recreational shooting.
``(2) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), members of the Advisory Committee shall be
appointed for a term of 4 years. Members shall not be
appointed for more than 3 consecutive or nonconsecutive
terms.
``(B) Terms of initial appointees.--As designated by
the Secretary at the time of appointment, of the
members first appointed--
``(i) 6 members shall be appointed for a term
of 4 years;
``(ii) 5 members shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years; and
``(iii) 5 members shall be appointed for a
term of 2 years.
``(3) Preservation of public advisory status.--No individual
may be appointed as a discretionary member of the Advisory
Committee while serving as an officer or employee of the
Federal Government.
``(4) Vacancy and removal.--
``(A) In general.--Any vacancy on the Advisory
Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the
original appointment was made.
``(B) Removal.--Advisory Committee members shall
serve at the discretion of the Secretaries and may be
removed at any time for good cause.
``(5) Continuation of service.--Each appointed member may
continue to serve after the expiration of the term of office to
which such member was appointed until a successor has been
appointed.
``(6) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee
shall be appointed for a 3-year term by the Secretaries,
jointly, from among the members of the Advisory Committee. An
individual may not be appointed as Chairperson for more than 2
consecutive or nonconsecutive terms.
``(7) Pay and expenses.--Members of the Advisory Committee
shall serve without pay for such service, but each member of
the Advisory Committee may be reimbursed for travel and lodging
incurred through attending meetings of the Advisory Committee
approved subgroup meetings in the same amounts and under the
same conditions as Federal employees (in accordance with
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code).
``(8) Meetings.--
``(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall meet
at the call of the Secretaries, the chairperson, or a
majority of the members, but not less frequently than
twice annually.
``(B) Open meetings.--Each meeting of the Advisory
Committee shall be open to the public.
``(C) Prior notice of meetings.--Timely notice of
each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be
published in the Federal Register and be submitted to
trade publications and publications of general
circulation.
``(D) Subgroups.--The Advisory Committee may
establish such workgroups or subgroups as it deems
necessary for the purpose of compiling information or
conducting research. However, such workgroups may not
conduct business without the direction of the Advisory
Committee and must report in full to the Advisory
Committee.
``(9) Quorum.--Nine members of the Advisory Committee shall
constitute a quorum.
``(d) Expenses.--The expenses of the Advisory Committee that the
Secretaries determine to be reasonable and appropriate shall be paid by
the Secretaries.
``(e) Administrative Support, Technical Services, and Advice.--A
designated Federal Officer shall be jointly appointed by the
Secretaries to provide to the Advisory Committee the administrative
support, technical services, and advice that the Secretaries determine
to be reasonable and appropriate.
``(f) Annual Report.--
``(1) Required.--Not later than September 30 of each year,
the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the
Secretaries, the Committee on Natural Resources and the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. If
circumstances arise in which the Advisory Committee cannot meet
the September 30 deadline in any year, the Secretaries shall
advise the Chairpersons of each such Committee of the reasons
for such delay and the date on which the submission of the
report is anticipated.
``(2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
describe--
``(A) the activities of the Advisory Committee during
the preceding year;
``(B) the reports and recommendations made by the
Advisory Committee to the Secretaries during the
preceding year; and
``(C) an accounting of actions taken by the
Secretaries as a result of the recommendations.
``(g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Advisory Committee shall
be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(h) Abolishment of the Existing Wildlife and Hunting Heritage
Conservation Council Advisory Committee.--Effective on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation
Council formed in furtherance of section 441 of the Revised Statutes
(43 U.S.C. 1457), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a),
and other Acts applicable to specific bureaus of the Department of the
Interior is hereby abolished.''.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 2799 is to establish the Wildlife and
Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to
advise the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on
wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational
shooting.
Background and Need For Legislation
On August 17, 2007, President George W. Bush signed
Executive Order 13443, Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and
Wildlife Conservation. The order directs federal agencies to
``facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting
opportunities and the management of game species and their
habitat.''
On February 4, 2012, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the creation
of a new Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council.
This Council was administratively established under the
authorities of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Forest
Management Act of 1976, the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 and Executive Order 13443. It is
comprised of 18 discretionary members and six ex officio
members (the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Farm
Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and the U.S. Forest Service). The discretionary members are
appointed by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to
serve three-year terms. The Council meets twice a year, the
members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for travel and
per diem, the annual operating costs are estimated at $300,000
per year, their meetings are open to the public under the terms
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and their duties are
strictly advisory.
No council member may have a direct financial interest in
an agreement, claim, contract, lease, or engage in litigation
with the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture. In
addition, individuals currently registered as federal lobbyists
may not be appointed to serve on the Council. The Council held
its inaugural meeting on October 4-5, 2010, in Washington, DC.
At the recent meeting on September 17-18, 2013, the agenda
included discussions about wildlife health and disease, the
Farm Bill, the Sportsmen's Act, and wild horses and burros on
public lands.
H.R. 2799 would statutorily establish the Wildlife and
Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee whose
duties would include implementing Executive Order 13443 and
providing advice to the Secretaries of the Interior and
Agriculture on policies to conserve agricultural lands, forest
lands, grasslands, rangelands and wetlands; to promote
opportunities to hunt on federal lands; to recruit new hunters
and shooters; to increase public awareness of the importance of
wildlife conservation; and encourage coordination among the
hunting and shooting sports community with the states, tribes
and federal government.
The key differences between this measure and the existing
Conservation Council are: a maximum of 16 rather than 18
discretionary members, and seven rather than six ex officio
members by adding the Director of the National Park Service.
The discretionary members shall include at least one
representative from a state fish and wildlife agency, game bird
hunting organization, wildlife conservation organization, big
game hunting organization, tourism, outfitter or guiding
industry, firearms or ammunition manufacturing industry, the
hunting and shooting equipment retail industry, tribal
resources management organization, agriculture industry and
ranching industry.
In addition, members would be appointed by the Secretaries
for a term of four rather than three years, no officer or
employee of the federal government can be named as a
discretionary member, and the existing Advisory Committee is
abolished.
During consideration of H.R. 2799, the Natural Resources
Committee adopted an amendment by voice vote offered by
Congressman John Fleming. The amendment increased the number of
discretionary members by adding a representative of a waterfowl
hunting organization and stipulating that non-governmental
representatives may rather than shall be reimbursed for certain
expenses such as travel and lodging to attend a Council
meeting.
Committee Action
H.R. 2799 was introduced on July 23, 2013, by Congressman
Robert E. Latta (R-OH). The bill was referred to the Committee
on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular
Affairs. The bill was also referred to the Committee on
Agriculture. On August 2, 2013, the Subcommittee on Fisheries,
Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs held a hearing on the
bill. On October 30, 2013, the Natural Resources Committee met
to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife,
Oceans, and Insular Affairs was discharged by unanimous
consent. Congressman John Fleming (R-LA) offered an amendment
designated .001 to the bill; the amendment was adopted by voice
vote. No further amendments were offered and the bill, as
amended, was then adopted and ordered favorably reported to the
House of Representatives by voice vote.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(2)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Under clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the following cost estimate for this bill from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
H.R. 2799--Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act
H.R. 2799 would establish a committee to advise the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on issues related
to wildlife conservation and hunting. The bill also would
abolish the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council
(WHHCC), an existing body that performs similar activities to
those that would be performed by the committee established
under the bill. CBO estimates that implementing the legislation
would have no significant net impact on the federal budget.
Enacting H.R. 2799 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
Based on information provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service regarding the costs of administering the WHHCC, CBO
estimates that administering the advisory committee established
under the bill would cost roughly $300,000 a year, assuming
appropriation of the necessary amounts. Those funds would be
used to hire a full-time employee to handle administrative
duties for the committee and to reimburse members of the
committee for travel and lodging expenses related to committee
activities. CBO also estimates that any costs associated with
administering the committee would be offset by reductions in
spending subject to appropriation to fund activities of the
WHHCC, which would be abolished under the bill.
H.R. 2799 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Jeff LaFave. The
estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
2. Section 308(a) of Congressional Budget Act. As required
by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, this bill does not contain any new budget
authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase
or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. CBO estimates that
implementing the legislation would have no significant net
impact on the federal budget.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to establish the Wildlife and Hunting
Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to advise the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and
habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Compliance With H. Res. 5
Directed Rule Making. The Chairman does not believe that
this bill directs any executive branch official to conduct any
specific rule-making proceedings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs. However, this bill
replaces an existing administratively created advisory council
with a reformulated statutory advisory council.
Federal Advisory Committee Statement
The functions of the proposed advisory committee authorized
in the bill are not currently being nor could they be performed
by one or more agencies. This bill establishes by statute and
modifies an advisory council created by executive action.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italics):
FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10. WILDLIFE AND HUNTING HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Wildlife
and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee
(in this section referred to as the ``Advisory Committee'') to
advise the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on
wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational
shooting.
(b) Duties of the Advisory Committee.--The Advisory Committee
shall advise the Secretaries with regard to--
(1) implementation of Executive Order No. 13443:
Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife
Conservation, which directs Federal agencies ``to
facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting
opportunities and the management of game species and
their habitat'';
(2) policies or programs to conserve and restore
wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forest, and
rangeland habitats;
(3) policies or programs to promote opportunities and
access to hunting and shooting sports on Federal lands;
(4) policies or programs to recruit and retain new
hunters and shooters;
(5) policies or programs that increase public
awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation
and the social and economic benefits of recreational
hunting and shooting; and
(6) policies or programs that encourage coordination
among the public, the hunting and shooting sports
community, wildlife conservation groups, and States,
tribes, and the Federal Government.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Appointment.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall
consist of no more than 16 discretionary
members and 7 ex officio members.
(B) Ex officio members.--The ex officio
members are--
(i) the Director of the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service or a
designated representative of the
Director;
(ii) the Director of the Bureau of
Land Management or a designated
representative of the Director;
(iii) the Director of the National
Park Service or a designated
representative of the Director;
(iv) the Chief of the Forest Service
or a designated representative of the
Chief;
(v) the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service or a
designated representative of the Chief;
(vi) the Administrator of the Farm
Service Agency or a designated
representative of the Administrator;
and
(vii) the Executive Director of the
Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies.
(C) Discretionary members.--The discretionary
members shall be appointed jointly by the
Secretaries from at least one of each of the
following:
(i) State fish and wildlife agencies.
(ii) Game bird hunting organizations.
(iii) Wildlife conservation
organizations.
(iv) Big game hunting organizations.
(v) The tourism, outfitter, or
guiding industry.
(vi) The firearms or ammunition
manufacturing industry.
(vii) The hunting or shooting
equipment retail industry.
(viii) Tribal resource management
organizations.
(ix) The agriculture industry.
(x) The ranching industry.
(xi) Waterfowl hunting organizations.
(D) Eligibility.--Prior to the appointment of
the discretionary members, the Secretaries
shall determine that all individuals nominated
for appointment to the Advisory Committee, and
the organization each individual represents,
actively support and promote sustainable-use
hunting, wildlife conservation, and
recreational shooting.
(2) Terms.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), members of the Advisory
Committee shall be appointed for a term of 4
years. Members shall not be appointed for more
than 3 consecutive or nonconsecutive terms.
(B) Terms of initial appointees.--As
designated by the Secretary at the time of
appointment, of the members first appointed--
(i) 6 members shall be appointed for
a term of 4 years;
(ii) 5 members shall be appointed for
a term of 3 years; and
(iii) 5 members shall be appointed
for a term of 2 years.
(3) Preservation of public advisory status.--No
individual may be appointed as a discretionary member
of the Advisory Committee while serving as an officer
or employee of the Federal Government.
(4) Vacancy and removal.--
(A) In general.--Any vacancy on the Advisory
Committee shall be filled in the manner in
which the original appointment was made.
(B) Removal.--Advisory Committee members
shall serve at the discretion of the
Secretaries and may be removed at any time for
good cause.
(5) Continuation of service.--Each appointed member
may continue to serve after the expiration of the term
of office to which such member was appointed until a
successor has been appointed.
(6) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Advisory
Committee shall be appointed for a 3-year term by the
Secretaries, jointly, from among the members of the
Advisory Committee. An individual may not be appointed
as Chairperson for more than 2 consecutive or
nonconsecutive terms.
(7) Pay and expenses.--Members of the Advisory
Committee shall serve without pay for such service, but
each member of the Advisory Committee may be reimbursed
for travel and lodging incurred through attending
meetings of the Advisory Committee approved subgroup
meetings in the same amounts and under the same
conditions as Federal employees (in accordance with
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code).
(8) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall
meet at the call of the Secretaries, the
chairperson, or a majority of the members, but
not less frequently than twice annually.
(B) Open meetings.--Each meeting of the
Advisory Committee shall be open to the public.
(C) Prior notice of meetings.--Timely notice
of each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall
be published in the Federal Register and be
submitted to trade publications and
publications of general circulation.
(D) Subgroups.--The Advisory Committee may
establish such workgroups or subgroups as it
deems necessary for the purpose of compiling
information or conducting research. However,
such workgroups may not conduct business
without the direction of the Advisory Committee
and must report in full to the Advisory
Committee.
(9) Quorum.--Nine members of the Advisory Committee
shall constitute a quorum.
(d) Expenses.--The expenses of the Advisory Committee that
the Secretaries determine to be reasonable and appropriate
shall be paid by the Secretaries.
(e) Administrative Support, Technical Services, and Advice.--
A designated Federal Officer shall be jointly appointed by the
Secretaries to provide to the Advisory Committee the
administrative support, technical services, and advice that the
Secretaries determine to be reasonable and appropriate.
(f) Annual Report.--
(1) Required.--Not later than September 30 of each
year, the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to
the Secretaries, the Committee on Natural Resources and
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. If circumstances
arise in which the Advisory Committee cannot meet the
September 30 deadline in any year, the Secretaries
shall advise the Chairpersons of each such Committee of
the reasons for such delay and the date on which the
submission of the report is anticipated.
(2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1)
shall describe--
(A) the activities of the Advisory Committee
during the preceding year;
(B) the reports and recommendations made by
the Advisory Committee to the Secretaries
during the preceding year; and
(C) an accounting of actions taken by the
Secretaries as a result of the recommendations.
(g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Advisory Committee
shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.).
(h) Abolishment of the Existing Wildlife and Hunting Heritage
Conservation Council Advisory Committee.--Effective on the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage
Conservation Council formed in furtherance of section 441 of
the Revised Statutes (43 U.S.C. 1457), the Fish and Wildlife
Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a), and other Acts applicable to
specific bureaus of the Department of the Interior is hereby
abolished.
DISSENTING VIEWS
H.R. 2799 would establish the Wildlife Hunting and Heritage
Conservation Council Advisory Committee to serve as counsel to
the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture on policies
that benefit recreational hunting and wildlife resources. We
have heard in testimony from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
that this Council already exists: President Obama established
the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council by
executive order in 2010.
As the Fish and Wildlife Service mentioned in responding to
a question for the record of the August 2 subcommittee hearing
on this bill, the legislation dilutes the voice of hunters by
dropping required representation from three hunting outreach
and education groups, and sportsmen and women at-large, and
replacing them with required representation from the firearms,
ranching and agriculture industries. There are more than 50
Federal Advisory Councils that address agricultural and
ranching issues, but the Council this bill seeks to replace is
the only group that provides a voice solely for the hunting
community.
In addition to stacking the deck against conservation and
exempting the Council from the Federal Advisory Committee Act's
transparency requirements, this bill would eliminate the
flexibility this President or others in the future have to
adjust the composition, structure, or function of the Committee
to respond to the needs of hunting and conservation interests.
For these reasons, we oppose H.R. 2799 as reported.
Peter DeFazio,
Ranking Member.
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.