Bill > SR31

Introduced Session

The Sport Fish Restoration Program, established by the "Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act" (commonly known as the Dingell-Johnson Act), was signed into law in 1950 to provide critical funding for the management, conservation, and restoration of sportfish populations and aquatic habitats in the United States. The funding for the Sport Fish Restoration Program is derived from excise taxes on fishing and motorboat equipment, as well as excise taxes on motorboat fuels, allowing the users of these natural resources to directly contribute to their conservation. The Sport Fish Restoration Program, along with the Wildlife Restoration Program constitute the American System of Conservation Funding, and collectively are widely regarded as having funded the most successful conservation effort in American history. The Sport Fish Restoration Program has played a vital role in sustaining the health of the nation's aquatic resources, ensuring access to fishing opportunities for millions of Americans, and preserving aquatic ecosystems for future generations. New Jersey, with its diverse aquatic habitats, from the freshwater rivers and streams of the Delaware River Basin to the coastal saltwater ecosystems of the Atlantic Ocean, has greatly benefited from the restoration efforts and funding provided by the Sport Fish Restoration Program. New Jersey's iconic aquatic species, including the striped bass, brook trout, and American shad, have experienced population increases and habitat improvements due to efforts supported by the Sport Fish Restoration Program. The Sport Fish Restoration Program continues to fund numerous conservation projects in New Jersey's waters, fostering collaborative partnerships with local organizations and conservationists to ensure long-term ecological balance in the State's waterways. The 75-year legacy of the Sport Fish Restoration Program stands as a testament to the dedication of countless hunters and anglers who were among the first conservationists to recognize American's natural resources were in peril and could not sustain unregulated harvest and habitat destruction, and who worked together with governmental organizations to protect and enhance the future of sportfishing and aquatic conservation in New Jersey and across the nation.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Parker Space (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document