Sponsors (6)
The bill strengthens protections for predators and public safety on Federal lands by creating clearer enforcement and deterrence, but does so by imposing new felony penalties and expanding federal authority in ways that raise costs, enforcement ambiguity, and sovereignty concerns for rural and tribal communities.
People who live near or visit Federal lands (especially rural communities) will face fewer vehicle-based attacks on predator species, improving public safety and reducing dangerous encounters.
State and federal agencies will have clearer enforcement authority and incentives for interagency cooperation to investigate and prosecute prohibited vehicle-based predator killing, likely improving compliance and deterrence.
Wildlife conservation on Federal lands will be strengthened by deterring vehicle-based killing or capture of mammalian predators, supporting ecosystem health.
People (particularly in rural areas) who are charged under the law could face felony penalties—up to 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines—exposing individuals to serious criminal consequences and costs.
Tribal communities risk having conduct on trust lands swept up under the statute if facts are unclear, raising sovereignty and enforcement concerns for tribal residents.
Delegating the definition of 'mammalian predator' to the Secretary creates ambiguity that could produce uneven enforcement across regions and uncertainty for landowners and users.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime to intentionally use a motor vehicle to target any mammalian predator on Federal land, with fines up to $10,000 and/or up to 5 years imprisonment, subject to a self-defense exception.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Val Hoyle · Last progress December 18, 2025
Makes it a federal crime to intentionally use a motor vehicle on Federal land to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any “mammalian predator,” punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both. The bill creates a self-defense exception for conduct needed to avoid injury or death and directs the Secretary of the Interior and authorized agents to investigate alleged violations, with authority to obtain assistance from the FBI, Department of the Treasury, other federal agencies, and state or local law enforcement.