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Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§718s Electronic Stamp Requirements; Recognition of Electronic Stamp

Title 16 › Chapter 7— PROTECTION OF MIGRATORY GAME AND INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS › Subchapter IV–A— PERMANENT ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP › § 718s

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must require that a State’s electronic migratory bird hunting stamp look like the State’s other automated licenses. It must include enough ID details so federal, state, and other officers can identify the holder. A State’s electronic stamp must give the same rights as a paper Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp. It must be accepted across the country and allow the holder to hunt migratory waterfowl in other states if they follow those states’ hunting laws. The stamp is valid until the first June 30 after it was issued.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §718s

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary shall require an electronic stamp issued by a State under this subchapter—
(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)Any electronic stamp issued by a State under this subchapter shall—
(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)An electronic stamp issued by a State shall be valid through the first June 30 that occurs after the date of issuance of the electronic stamp by the State.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(c)(1), substituted “shall—” for “shall, during the effective period of the electronic stamp—” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(c)(2), substituted “through the first June 30 that occurs after the date of issuance of the electronic stamp by the State” for “for a period agreed to by the State and the Secretary, which shall not exceed 45 days”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 718s

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60