[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7811-7812]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ACT OF 2013

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1206) to grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent 
authority to authorize States to issue electronic duck stamps, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1206

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Permanent Electronic Duck 
     Stamp Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Actual stamp.--The term ``actual stamp'' means a 
     Federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamp 
     required under the Act of March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718a et 
     seq.) (popularly known as the ``Duck Stamp Act''), that is 
     printed on paper and sold through the means established by 
     the authority of the Secretary immediately before the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) Automated licensing system.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``automated licensing system'' 
     means an electronic, computerized licensing system used by a 
     State fish and wildlife agency to issue hunting, fishing, and 
     other associated licenses and products.
       (B) Inclusion.--The term ``automated licensing system'' 
     includes a point-of-sale, Internet, telephonic system, or 
     other electronic applications used for a purpose described in 
     subparagraph (A).
       (3) Electronic stamp.--The term ``electronic stamp'' means 
     an electronic version of an actual stamp that--
       (A) is a unique identifier for the individual to whom it is 
     issued;
       (B) can be printed on paper or produced through an 
     electronic application with the same indicators as the State 
     endorsement provides;
       (C) is issued through a State automated licensing system 
     that is authorized, under State law and by the Secretary 
     under this Act, to issue electronic stamps;
       (D) is compatible with the hunting licensing system of the 
     State that issues the electronic stamp; and
       (E) is described in the State application approved by the 
     Secretary under section 4(b).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO ISSUE ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMPS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may authorize any State to 
     issue electronic stamps in accordance with this Act.
       (b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall implement this 
     section in consultation with State management agencies.

     SEC. 4. STATE APPLICATION.

       (a) Approval of Application Required.--The Secretary may 
     not authorize a State to issue electronic stamps under this 
     Act unless the Secretary has received and approved an 
     application submitted by the State in accordance with this 
     section. The Secretary may determine the number of new States 
     per year to participate in the electronic stamp program.
       (b) Contents of Application.--The Secretary may not approve 
     a State application unless the application contains--
       (1) a description of the format of the electronic stamp 
     that the State will issue under this Act, including 
     identifying features of the licensee that will be specified 
     on the stamp;
       (2) a description of any fee the State will charge for 
     issuance of an electronic stamp;
       (3) a description of the process the State will use to 
     account for and transfer to the Secretary the amounts 
     collected by the State that are required to be transferred to 
     the Secretary under the program;
       (4) the manner by which the State will transmit electronic 
     stamp customer data to the Secretary;
       (5) the manner by which actual stamps will be delivered;
       (6) the policies and procedures under which the State will 
     issue duplicate electronic stamps; and
       (7) such other policies, procedures, and information as may 
     be reasonably required by the Secretary.
       (c) Publication of Deadlines, Eligibility Requirements, and 
     Selection Criteria.--Not later than 30 days before the date 
     on which the Secretary begins accepting applications under 
     this section, the Secretary shall publish--
       (1) deadlines for submission of applications;
       (2) eligibility requirements for submitting applications; 
     and
       (3) criteria for approving applications.

     SEC. 5. STATE OBLIGATIONS AND AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Delivery of Actual Stamp.--The Secretary shall require 
     that each individual to whom a State sells an electronic 
     stamp under this Act shall receive an actual stamp--
       (1) by not later than the date on which the electronic 
     stamp expires under section 6(c); and
       (2) in a manner agreed upon by the State and Secretary.
       (b) Collection and Transfer of Electronic Stamp Revenue and 
     Customer Information.--
       (1) Requirement to transmit.--The Secretary shall require 
     each State authorized to issue electronic stamps to collect 
     and submit to the Secretary in accordance with this section--
       (A) the first name, last name, and complete mailing address 
     of each individual that purchases an electronic stamp from 
     the State;
       (B) the face value amount of each electronic stamp sold by 
     the State; and
       (C) the amount of the Federal portion of any fee required 
     by the agreement for each stamp sold.
       (2) Time of transmittal.--The Secretary shall require the 
     submission under paragraph (1) to be made with respect to 
     sales of electronic stamps by a State according to the 
     written agreement between the Secretary and the State agency.
       (3) Additional fees not affected.--This section shall not 
     apply to the State portion of any fee collected by a State 
     under subsection (c).
       (c) Electronic Stamp Issuance Fee.--A State authorized to 
     issue electronic stamps may charge a reasonable fee to cover 
     costs incurred by the State and the Department of the 
     Interior in issuing electronic stamps under this Act, 
     including costs of delivery of actual stamps.
       (d) Duplicate Electronic Stamps.--A State authorized to 
     issue electronic stamps may issue a duplicate electronic 
     stamp to replace an electronic stamp issued by the State that 
     is lost or damaged.
       (e) Limitation on Authority To Require Purchase of State 
     License.--A State may not require that an individual purchase 
     a State hunting license as a condition of issuing an 
     electronic stamp under this Act.

     SEC. 6. ELECTRONIC STAMP REQUIREMENTS; RECOGNITION OF 
                   ELECTRONIC STAMP.

       (a) Stamp Requirements.--The Secretary shall require an 
     electronic stamp issued by a State under this Act--
       (1) to have the same format as any other license, 
     validation, or privilege the State issues under the automated 
     licensing system of the State; and
       (2) to specify identifying features of the licensee that 
     are adequate to enable Federal, State, and other law 
     enforcement officers to identify the holder.
       (b) Recognition of Electronic Stamp.--Any electronic stamp 
     issued by a State under this Act shall, during the effective 
     period of the electronic stamp--
       (1) bestow upon the licensee the same privileges as are 
     bestowed by an actual stamp;
       (2) be recognized nationally as a valid Federal migratory 
     bird hunting and conservation stamp; and
       (3) authorize the licensee to hunt migratory waterfowl in 
     any other State, in accordance with the laws of the other 
     State governing that hunting.
       (c) Duration.--An electronic stamp issued by a State shall 
     be valid for a period agreed to by the State and the 
     Secretary, which shall not exceed 45 days.

     SEC. 7. TERMINATION OF STATE PARTICIPATION.

       The authority of a State to issue electronic stamps under 
     this Act may be terminated--
       (1) by the Secretary, if the Secretary--
       (A) finds that the State has violated any of the terms of 
     the application of the State approved by the Secretary under 
     section 4; and
       (B) provides to the State written notice of the termination 
     by not later than the date that is 30 days before the date of 
     termination; or
       (2) by the State, by providing written notice to the 
     Secretary by not later than the date that is 30 days before 
     the termination date.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Napolitano) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.

[[Page 7812]]


  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation, which I sponsored, would make 
permanent the ability of a migratory waterfowl hunter to electronically 
purchase their annual Federal duck stamp.
  For the past 6 years, eight States have participated in a pilot 
effort, and by all accounts this program has been a huge success. Many 
Americans have been able to enjoy the convenience of using their own 
personal computer to purchase a Federal duck stamp online and in some 
cases to obtain that required document the evening before a duck hunt. 
Mr. Speaker, I can tell you from experience and knowing that people 
want that opportunity, that that timeliness is a factor in people being 
able to enjoy waterfowl hunting.
  In August 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a report 
to Congress which stipulated that the E-Duck stamp program has proven 
to be a practical method that is readily accepted by the stamp-buying 
public. E-stamps now account for more than 20 percent of all duck stamp 
sales, which demonstrates widespread acceptance of this sales option.
  As vice chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I can proudly 
say that this legislation is important to waterfowl hunters across the 
country. H.R. 1206 is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. I would also like to thank and 
acknowledge Representative Ron Kind as an original cosponsor of this 
bill. The gentleman from Wisconsin is a dedicated conservationist, an 
avid outdoorsman, and a longtime supporter and friend to sportsmen.
  There is no cost to the taxpayers, and there is broad bipartisan 
support for this innovative idea, and this convenient 21st-century 
delivery system will be utilized by thousands of American sportsmen in 
the future.
  Allowing the purchase of duck stamps online is an important 
technological advancement, and it is time to make this a permanent 
feature of Federal law. During the last Congress, an identical bill 
passed the House by a vote of 373-1. I urge adoption of this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1206 would allow the Secretary of the Interior to 
continue the sale of electronic duck stamps and also expands the 
program to include all of our 50 States.
  The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known and 
called the ``duck stamp,'' must be purchased and carried by all 
waterfowl hunters 16 years and older when hunting migratory waterfowl 
on both public and private land.
  Ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sales of these 
stamps go to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National 
Wildlife Refuge system, which benefits waterfowl. In some rural areas, 
purchasing the duck stamp can be very difficult. Often, hunters have to 
wait a significant amount of time to receive their official duck stamp, 
so utilizing the system of electronic duck stamp producing would 
eliminate the wait by issuing an electronic stamp with a unique 
identifying number to serve as a proof of purchase. Hunters can hunt 
and use the electronic stamp for 45 days until the actual duck stamp 
arrives via the postal service.
  This is a worthwhile piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire if the minority has any more 
speakers.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. No, sir, not on this bill.
  Mr. WITTMAN. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I yield back the balance of my time, sir.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my strong support for the 
Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013, H.R. 1206. I want to thank 
my coauthor and friend, Rob Wittman, for his dedication to getting this 
important legislation passed. In the 109th Congress, I authored 
legislation that created a pilot program for selling duck stamps 
electronically. The legislation passed with wide bipartisan support and 
the Electronic Duck Stamp program went on to become one of the most 
successful conservation programs in our history.
  Since the beginning of duck stamp sales in 1934, the stamps have 
generated more than $750 million used to purchase more than 5.3 million 
acres of waterfowl habitat. In Wisconsin alone, 6.78 million duck 
stamps have been sold thereby conserving numerous acres for waterfowl, 
birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, and amphibians. In addition to the 
benefits of conservation for wildlife, the habitats preserved give 
hunters and nature enthusiasts places to enjoy hiking, hunting, and 
animals watching. Additionally, these wetlands naturally purify water 
supplies, keep flood lands, and help decrease soil erosion.
  The Electronic Duck Stamp is terribly important to the district I 
represent in Wisconsin, which is home to three wildlife refuges. Almost 
the entire west side of my district is a refuge--the Upper Mississippi 
River Wildlife & Fish Refuge which is visited by 4 million people every 
year, more than Yellowstone. I want to urge my colleagues to support 
this commonsense yet vital legislation. I look forward to working 
toward getting this bill through the Senate and signed into law this 
year.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1206.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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