LEAD Act of 2025

The "Lead Endangers Animals Daily Act of 2025" (LEAD Act of 2025) requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement a ban on lead ammunition across all lands and waters managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This mandate necessitates the issuance of final regulations within one year of the bill's enactment, compelling the use of only certified nonlead ammunition . The bill's findings highlight the significant risks posed by lead to both human and wildlife health, citing its neurotoxic properties and the absence of a safe exposure level. It notes that wildlife, including federally listed species, face lead toxicosis through direct ingestion or scavenging, and that lead can contaminate food supplies, soil, and water. To facilitate enforcement, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be responsible for establishing and annually updating a list of approved nonlead ammunition. Exceptions to this prohibition are granted for specific government officials, law enforcement officers, and active military personnel performing their official duties. Violators of the ban would face civil penalties, starting at up to $500 for a first offense and increasing for subsequent infractions.