Sponsors (7)
The bill increases protections for people and predator species on Federal lands by banning vehicle-based attacks and strengthening enforcement, but does so by imposing felony penalties and delegating key definitions in ways that may create enforcement uncertainty, tribal sovereignty concerns, and additional federal/local costs.
People who live in or visit communities near Federal lands (rural residents, recreationists, local governments) will face fewer dangerous or wasteful motor-vehicle attacks on predators because the bill deters and criminalizes vehicle-based killing or capture, improving public safety.
Wildlife and ecosystems on Federal lands will receive stronger protection as the bill deters vehicle-based killing or capture of mammalian predators, supporting conservation outcomes.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement and resource agencies will have clearer enforcement authority and a framework for interagency cooperation to investigate and prosecute violations, which may improve compliance with protections on Federal lands.
Individuals (particularly in rural areas) who are charged under the law could face felony penalties — including up to 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 fines — creating significant criminal exposure for conduct covered by the statute.
Because the definition of 'mammalian predator' is delegated to the Secretary and is not tightly specified, residents and enforcers may face uncertainty and uneven application of the law across regions.
Tribal communities and trust lands could be inadvertently affected if the law's facts or jurisdictional boundaries are unclear, raising sovereignty and enforcement concerns for tribes.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime to use a motor vehicle to intentionally harm or capture mammalian predators on Federal land, with fines up to $10,000 and/or up to 5 years imprisonment.
Makes it a federal crime to intentionally use a motor vehicle to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any "mammalian predator" on Federal land, with penalties up to a $10,000 fine, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both. Creates exceptions for acts done to avoid injury or death and gives the Interior Department authority to investigate, with assistance from federal and state law enforcement as needed, and defines key terms used in the prohibition. Establishes enforcement and investigative authority for the Secretary of the Interior (and authorized agents), and authorizes assistance from the FBI, Department of the Treasury, other federal agencies, and state or local law enforcement. Defines "Federal land," "motor vehicle," and "mammalian predator."
Official title: To prohibit any person from using a motor vehicle to take a mammalian predator species on Federal land, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Val Hoyle · Last progress December 18, 2025