Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. 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.

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