Rep. Robert J. Wittman
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3117) to grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize States to issue electronic duck stamps, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the ``Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2011''.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
Rep. Robert J. Wittman
Madam 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.
Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Rep. Robert J. Wittman
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
In 1934, the Congress enacted the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. This law required hunters to purchase a Federal duck stamp in order to hunt migratory waterfowl. Proceeds from the sale of these stamps have been used to preserve vital wetlands and waterfowl habitats across the country. Every year, hunters, bird watchers, and stamp collectors visit the post office, National Wildlife Refuge, or sporting goods store to purchase their duck stamp.
For the past 4 years, eight States have participated in an electronic duck stamp pilot program. Instead of having to visit a bricks-and-mortar store, hunters and collectors could purchase the duck stamp online. By all accounts, the program has been a tremendous success. Many Americans have enjoyed the convenience of buying a Federal duck stamp over the Internet.
I'm the author of this legislation and would like to see that it continues to allow hunters to electronically purchase the annual Federal duck stamp required to hunt migratory waterfowl. It is time to make this permanent feature a Federal law for a more efficient and faster process. Similar technology is already embraced by States that allow sportsmen to obtain their hunting and fishing licenses online.
And, by the way, many States who require a duck stamp also allow their hunters to purchase the duck stamp online. And as I have spoken with a number of hunters, they also indicate an interest to be able to do this. And especially hunters that may, at the last minute, decide to want to pursue a hunting activity the next day, if they are not in the area where a post office is open, then they are not able to enjoy a day on the water hunting waterfowl.
As a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission and an avid waterfowl hunter, I am proud to sponsor this legislation to modernize the distribution of the Federal duck stamp program without burdening the taxpayer.
I want to compliment the lead cosponsor of this bill, Congressman Ron Kind from Wisconsin, for his leadership, his commitment, and his passion on sportsmen's issues and waterfowl conservation. Anybody who knows Representative Kind knows how strongly he feels about this. He has worked on this issue for a number of years, and I thank him for those ongoing efforts.
H.R. 3117 is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and Ducks Unlimited.
I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Del. Gregorio 'Kilili' Camacho Sablan
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Del. Gregorio 'Kilili' Camacho Sablan
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3117, which would allow the Secretary of the Interior to continue sale of electronic duck stamps and expands the program to include all 50 States.
The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly 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 the duck stamp goes to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System, which benefits migratory waterfowl.
In some rural areas, purchasing duck stamps can be difficult, with hunters having to wait a significant amount of time to receive their official duck stamp. Electronic stamps come with a unique identifying number that serves as a proof of purchase and allows hunters to hunt for 45 days until the actual stamp arrives via the postal service.
In October, at the hearing on H.R. 3117, the Fish and Wildlife Service supported the bill's intent to continue the electronic duck stamp program.
I commend my colleagues, Congressman Wittman and Congressman Ron Kind, for introducing this bill and for their leadership on this issue.
I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Rep. Robert J. Wittman
With that, Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I also yield back the balance of my time.
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. 3117, as amended.
The question was taken.
In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
Similar entries
-
Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act Of 2011
January 23, 2012 -
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act Of 2011
October 3, 2011 -
World War Ii Memorial Prayer Act Of 2011
January 24, 2012 -
Further Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011
March 1, 2011 -
Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act Of 2011
December 6, 2011 -
Death In Custody Reporting Act Of 2011
September 20, 2011 -
Federal Restricted Buildings And Grounds Improvement Act Of 2011
February 27, 2012 -
National Guard And Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act Of 2011
November 29, 2011 -
Investigative Assistance For Violent Crimes Act Of 2011
September 12, 2011 -
Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act Of 2011
December 13, 2011