Public Land Sales Removed from Senate Budget Reconciliation Bill
Following resounding public opposition, including from the sportfishing industry and anglers across the country, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) withdrew his proposal to sell more than a million acres of federally owned lands as part of the Senate budget reconciliation bill. While ASA is not opposed to targeted sales of federal lands, Senator Lee’s proposal did not adhere to the established process for the disposal or sale of public lands which requires transparency, public input and that proceeds from land sales are reinvested in conservation.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged their elected officials to oppose this language. While we’re happy to have this particular attempt behind us, it’s likely to come up again in the future.
Stay engaged in the latest developments by signing up for Keep America Fishing action alerts below.
ASA Member Testifies before House Natural Resources Committee
Last week, Mike Shields, President of American Fishing Wire in Coatesville, PA testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. Mike spoke about the importance of the Sport Fish Restoration Fund and how our industry supports the conservation and access improvements funded through the self-imposed tax on fishing equipment.
Since 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration Fund has generated more than $12 billion for fisheries conservation efforts across the country.
Click the link below to watch a recording of Mike’s testimony.
Senate Includes De Minimis Elimination in Budget Reconciliation Bill
The House-passed provision eliminating de minimis entry for all countries starting July 2027 was added to the Senate budget reconciliation bill late Friday night. Eliminating de minimis, or the $800 threshold for which products can enter the country duty free, is an industry priority and would ensure duties are collected on all imports, thus helping to level the playing field for all importers.
Codifying the elimination of de minimis will not affect the existing termination of de minimis for Chinese goods that began May 2. It also does not impede the President from implementing EO 14257’s comprehensive termination before July 2027 provided Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick first confirms to the President that adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect duty revenue.
Click below to read more about why ASA supports repealing de minimis for sportfishing imports.
ASA Sends Letter Supporting Expanded Recreational Access on National Wildlife Refuges
Last week, ASA sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expressing our support for the proposed 2025-26 hunting and fishing regulations, which provides new and expanded opportunities for sportsmen’s access on several National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) across the country. We are also grateful to see the proposed rule establish consistency with states regarding the use of traditional tackle.
Click the link below to read our full letter.
About The American Sportfishing Association
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 55 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through Keep America Fishing, our national angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for 800,000 people.
Discover more from Fishing Tackle Retailer - The Business Magazine of the Sportfishing Industry
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
