September 20, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) – Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Duck Stamp Modernization Act (H.R. 2872) on a voice vote, a sign of the unanimous support for the bill thanks to Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) leadership Vice-Chair Rep. Garret Graves (LA) and CSC Member Rep. Mike Thompson (CA). Prior to the House floor vote, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked with the bill sponsors and key offices in the House to see that this bill was added to the House floor calendar. The Duck Stamp Modernization Act will bring the Federal Duck Stamp process into the 21st century by providing that the electronic Federal Duck Stamp is valid for the entirety of the hunting season. Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic Federal Duck Stamp (e-stamp), the e-stamp is only valid for a period of 45 days to allow for the actual stamp to be mailed to the purchaser. Once the actual stamp is received by the e-stamp purchaser, the actual stamp must be signed by the respective hunter across the face of the stamp and be in the hunter’s possession while afield. Specifically, this legislation will allow hunters who purchase a Federal Duck Stamp electronically to have the duck stamp on their smartphone while hunting without requiring the signed physical stamp to be on their person. To maintain the integrity of the Federal Duck Stamp, the bill requires that physical stamps will be mailed to those who purchased the e-stamp after the latest waterfowl season in the country has closed. Hunters will still be able to purchase the physical stamp from the U.S. Postal Service or from other locations that sell the physical stamp. “A priority for CSF, we would like to extend our appreciation to Representative Graves and Representative Thompson for getting this important legislation passed in the House,” said Jeff Crane, President & CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “As technology continues to evolve, we must find ways to improve easier accessibility and opportunity for our sportsmen’s community as a whole and this legislation is a step in that direction.” Signed into law in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has generated over $1.1 billion for wetlands conservation and helped conserve over 6 million acres of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System. In 1934, there were roughly 635,000 stamps sold. Today, that number has grown to over 1.5 million stamp purchases, which generates more than $37.5 million for wetlands conservation. Importantly, approximately 98% of the Federal Duck Stamp purchase price is spent directly on the management and acquisition of wetlands to bolster habitat for wetland dependent species such as ducks, geese, shorebirds, fish, turtles, and countless others. In July, the Senate unanimously passed the Senate companion bill led by CSC Leaders Co-Chairs Sens. John Boozman and Joe Manchin and Vice-Chairs Sens. Angus King and Roger Marshall. Although technically two different bills, given the strong vote in both chambers, CSF will continue to work this bill through the legislative process to see it signed into law. |
