Congressman Andrew Clyde of Georgia has introduced House Resolution 8167 this session. Omninously entitled “Return our Constituitional Rights Act of 2022”, the bill was intended to eliminate the federal excise tax on firearms. Whether intended or not, it also calls for the elimination or reduction of the same tax on all purchases of fishing-related items.
Why is this so bad? Since 1950, the excise tax has funded the Sport Fish Restoration Program. The inital law, also known as the “Dingell-Johnson Act” and later reauthorized as “Wallop-Breaux” applies a 10-percent manufacturer’s excise tax on fishing rods, lures, electric motors, sonar finders, and many other fishing items. These funds are transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in turn, distributes them to states for recreational sport fishing projects. Each state receives a proportional share based on the amount of land and water in the state, and the number of paid recreational fishing license holders.
Wallop-Breaux has been praised by nearly every conservation organization in America as one of the most cost-effective laws ever passed. It’s also been very popular with anglers as well. That’s because the funds have to be spent on specific items that benefit all anglers, and the spending must be tracked and reported.
Here are the items allowed for expenditure:
- Fish hatcheries and fish stocking
- Artificial reefs
- Outdoor education programs
- Fisheries research
- Boating and bank access
- Outreach programs (new anglers)
Over $400 million is collected annually via Wallop-Breaux. For most states, this funding is critical to stocking programs and improvement or creation of public access areas and boat launches, with almost all funding for those coming from this source. Without Wallop-Breaux, states would have to double their annual license fees. Conversely, there is no evidence whatsoever that manufacturers would suddenly reduce the MSRP on their products by 10 percent.
While this is only a “resolution” which has no impact of law, the author intends to use the votes in the House and Senate to determine the amount of support he has for a bill likely to be introduced at a later date. That’s why this resolution needs to be defeated now!
HR8167 has a significant number of co-sponsors. From Louisiana, there is Clay Higgins (LA-3), from Mississippi, Rep. Kelly Trent (MS-1), from Alabama, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-2) and Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-5). And from the Florida Panhandle, Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL-1).
The Fly Fishers International Conservation Committee is asking all FFI members to contact their congressmen and women and ask them to oppose HR8167. You can reach your local representative using THIS LINK.
