[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today I join several of my colleagues in 
support of S. 1496, the Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005.
  The Federal Duck Stamp Program has become one of the most popular and 
successful conservation programs ever initiated. Enacted in 1934, the 
Duck Stamp Act requires every waterfowl hunter to purchase a duck stamp 
in order to legally hunt migratory waterfowl. Through the purchase of 
the Federal duck stamp, sportsmen from across the country have 
contributed billions of dollars annually to the economy. Nearly $2 
billion of this revenue has been used for wildlife conservation.
  Times have changed and I believe it is time to modernize the way 
sportsmen buy duck stamps. The Electronic Duck Stamp Act will change 
the way Montana sportsmen and hunters across the country purchase their 
duck stamp. This concept follows on the heels of other programs used by 
sportsmen to purchase their hunting licenses, permits, and conservation 
stamps through means of the Internet. The 24-hour access to purchase 
these stamps will be especially useful in Montana and other States with 
rural communities. The e-duck stamp will be more cost effective and 
hunters will be able to forego a trip to town before heading to the 
field.
  The Electronic Duck Stamp Act requires the Secretary of the Interior 
conduct a 3-year pilot program under which, hopefully, Montana and 14 
other States may issue the electronic stamps. The price for the stamp 
will remain unchanged at $15. Stamps may be purchased over the phone or 
Internet giving sportsmen additional flexibility. Purchasers will 
receive immediate access to a verification number which will allow them 
to legally hunt waterfowl. This number will then eventually be replaced 
by an actual paper stamp.
  This will be a very popular program and will benefit many American 
men and women who enjoy hunting waterfowl. I look forward to working 
with my Senate colleagues to pass this piece of legislation for not 
only my State of Montana but other States as well.

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