Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 would modify the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to delay when the interest earned on obligations held in the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund can be used for apportionment. Specifically, it changes the date from the beginning of fiscal year 2026 to the beginning of fiscal year 2033. In practical terms, this means that the interest earnings on the fund would not be eligible for distribution to states until FY 2033, while the underlying principal remains unaffected. The bill’s change is narrowly focused on timing of interest distributions and does not create new programs or funding levels beyond moving when interest becomes available. The bet is that delaying interest apportionment could affect near-term funding available to state wildlife restoration programs, including habitat work that can involve wetlands, though the text does not specify new wetlands programs.