WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, today announced his support of the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act. The bipartisan legislation would promote hunting traditions and ensure the continued successful funding of wildlife conservation through the purchase of hunting and recreational shooting equipment.

“Maine’s proud tradition of hunting and love for the outdoors has been passed down from generation to generation,” said Senator King. “These aren’t just pastimes – they’re part of our state’s heritage, and we need to do everything we can to protect these activities so future generations have the opportunity to walk the same woods and carry forward these traditions of those who came before. This bill will help preserve, protect the outdoors, for the enjoyment of hunters and recreationists alike.”

The Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act will update the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 to ensure continued successful funding for wildlife conservation that benefits all Americans. The updates will extend existing financial and technical support to the states to include hunting and recreational shooting promotion and recruitment. Under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, tax revenue from the sale of shooting and archery equipment generates funding for hunter education and wildlife conservation. This “pay to play” system has provided a symbiotic relationship between sportsmen and the resources they use for hunting and recreational shooting.

Through his position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has worked to support outdoor recreation for sportsmen in Maine. In March, he attended the 39th Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center. At the show, he visited with many of the over 100 exhibitors, listened to their stories and updates, and discussed the role of outdoor recreation for Maine’s economy and way of life. In 2015, he cosponsored The Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation that would prioritize recreation on federal lands and promote cooperation with state and local governments. 

As the Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, Senator King is known within Congress as a champion of efforts to preserve, protect, and promote America’s national parks and public lands. He is a lead sponsor of the Restore Our Parks Act, bipartisan legislation which would address the nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog without affecting the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Senator King has long advocated in favor of permanent reauthorization of the LWCF, which was signed into law as part of the public lands package in early March.

The legislation is sponsored by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).