HR 1098119th CongressIn Committee

To reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994.

Introduced: Feb 6, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3] (D-Michigan)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, renewing federal support for the program and extending its authorization period through fiscal years 2025–2031. It also increases the authorized funding levels for the program and modifies who is eligible as a “State” for purposes of the program. Specifically, the bill clarifies that Guam and the Virgin Islands are included in the program’s scope and removes language that would allow additional territories or possessions to be included without further action. In short, the bill aims to provide more funding, extend the program’s life, and tighten which jurisdictions participate. The program itself supports youth education about waterfowl conservation and wetlands, often through an art/design contest that culminates in Junior Duck Stamp designs. By lifting funding levels and adjusting eligibility, this reauthorization could enable broader outreach and more participants, particularly in Guam and the Virgin Islands, while maintaining the program’s core conservation-education mission.

Key Points

1Reauthorizes the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, extending authorization to cover fiscal years 2025 through 2031.
2Increases funding levels for the program:
3- Section 6(a)(1)(A): up from $350,000 to $550,000.
4- Section 6(a)(1)(B): window for funding extended from 2006–2010 to 2025–2031.
5- Section 6(b)(1): up from $100,000 to $200,000.
6- Section 6(b)(2): up from $250,000 to $350,000.
7Redefines or clarifies eligibility of jurisdictions by amending the definition of “State” to include Guam (with a revised listing) and to remove language that previously allowed “any other territory or possession.”
8Adds clarity on the geographic scope by explicitly recognizing Guam and the Virgin Islands as part of the program’s eligible jurisdictions, and limiting expansion to other territories unless further action is taken.
9No other substantive programmatic changes to design, content, or administration are specified beyond funding and jurisdiction changes.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Youth participants and education programs in the participating jurisdictions (notably Guam and the Virgin Islands), plus teachers and local program administrators who run Junior Duck Stamp activities.Secondary group/area affected: Federal and territorial/state wildlife agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and state/territorial wildlife partners who administer grant funds and coordinate contests.Additional impacts: Increased federal funding could expand outreach, participation, and conservation-education activities; the jurisdiction changes affect which territories are explicitly covered by the program and may influence future expansions or contractions of eligibility. Overall, the bill aims to bolster conservation education for youth and support related design/art components of the program.

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