WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 2316 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-40

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

Became lawPublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedMar 25, 2025
Passed HouseJul 14, 2025
Passed SenateOct 23, 2025
To PresidentNov 25, 2025
Became lawNov 25, 2025

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 2316 changed 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

16 U.S.C. 669b Authorization of appropriations

  • (b) Investment of unexpended amounts changed · Sec. 2 · see the words
What the words changed: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 16 U.S.C. 669b(b)(2)(C)changedby H.R. 2316 Sec. 2

    (C) shall become available for apportionment under this chapter at the beginning of fiscal year 20262033.

    The bill says: Section 3(b)(2)(C) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b(b)(2)(C)) is amended by striking "2026" and inserting "2033".

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 669b)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

This act extends until FY2033 a requirement for the interest earned on certain funds held in the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund to be distributed to states for carrying out certain wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Specifically, the act extends the period in which the interest earned on revenue generated from excise taxes on certain firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment must be used for wildlife conservation and restoration programs established under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. This requirement was set to expire at the beginning of FY2026. In the absence of this requirement, this funding would be distributed to states, according to a formula, for (1) wildlife restoration, (2) hunter education and safety, (3) multistate conservation grants, and (4) administrative costs.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Mar 25, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-11-25Became Public Law No: 119-40.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-11-25Became Public Law No: 119-40.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-11-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-11-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-11-25Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-11-25Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-10-23Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-10-23Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7734)Senate
  9. 2025-10-23Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  10. 2025-10-23Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  11. 2025-10-23Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  12. 2025-07-15Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.Senate
  13. 2025-07-14On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.House floor actions
  14. 2025-07-14Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
  15. 2025-07-14Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  16. 2025-07-14DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2316.House floor actions
  17. 2025-07-14Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3224)House floor actions
  18. 2025-07-14Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. (text: CR H3224)House floor actions
  19. 2025-07-10Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 156.House floor actions
  20. 2025-07-10Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-191.House floor actions
  21. 2025-07-10Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-191.Library of Congress
  22. 2025-06-25Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  23. 2025-06-25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  24. 2025-06-25Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries DischargedHouse committee actions
  25. 2025-04-08Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  26. 2025-04-01Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.House committee actions
  27. 2025-03-25Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  28. 2025-03-25Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  29. 2025-03-25Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-40 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Sarah Elfreth D-MD-3
  • Adam Gray D-CA-13
  • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large