HR 556 United States House · 119th Congress

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

HR 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, prevents federal agencies from banning lead ammunition or tackle on public lands and waters managed for hunting or fishing. It directly affects hunters and anglers using federal lands (like national wildlife refuges, public forests, and BLM lands) by blocking nationwide restrictions on lead products. The bill allows limited exceptions only for specific locations where wildlife decline is directly linked to lead use, and the restriction must align with state law or get approval from the state wildlife agency. This changes how federal land managers can regulate lead, requiring state coordination for any local restrictions.

Issues: ✗ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Mar 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 2 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MINOR

The changes from the introduced version to the engrossed version of HR 556 are purely technical and formatting in nature. The only substantive edit is the removal of 'of 2025' from the short title, which is a standard practice when a bill moves through committee. All policy provisions regarding lead ammunition restrictions on federal land remain unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The short title was changed from 'Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025' to 'Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act', removing the year reference.

Minor formatting changes including added blank lines between subsections and spacing adjustments, with no effect on the substance of the bill.

Floor votes · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

215–202

Passed · 15 other

Total votes 432

Mar 18, 2026

D Democratic214

7 Yea 201 Nay 6

93% Nay

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican217

207 Yea 1 Nay 9

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 93). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2576)

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H2580)

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

lower

Nov 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee on Agriculture discharged.

lower

Nov 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-385, Part I.

lower

Jul 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 83 co-sponsors