---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 742m"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "742m"
heading: "Relinquishment of exclusive legislative jurisdiction"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/742m"
units:
  - "Chapter 9 — Fish and Wildlife Service"
---

# §742m. Relinquishment of exclusive legislative jurisdiction


Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service, may relinquish to a [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), or to a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of the United States over all or part of any United States [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service lands or interests therein, including but not limited to National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System lands, in that [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), Commonwealth, territory, or possession. Relinquishment of exclusive legislative jurisdiction under this subsection may be accomplished (1) by filing with the Governor (or, if none, the chief executive officer) of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), Commonwealth, territory, or possession concerned, a notice of relinquishment to [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) effect upon acceptance thereof, or (2) as the laws of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), Commonwealth, territory, or possession may otherwise provide.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–653, title IX, § 901, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3834.)