To reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994.
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Would reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program through FY2031, extending an art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to K–12 students across the country. It also clarifies which territories are covered and restricts new spending to funds already authorized for the Federal Duck Stamp Office.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through fiscal year 2031. The program teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation through art and science curricula for kindergarten through 12th grade students, and it hosts a national art competition whose winning design appears on the Junior Duck Stamp sold by the FWS. Revenue from stamp sales supports activities for student participants.
The bill would also make two targeted amendments to the 1994 authorizing statute: it would update the definition of "State" by removing the catch-all phrase "any other territory or possession" after the Virgin Islands, and it would add a provision explicitly prohibiting any new funding beyond what is already authorized for the Federal Duck Stamp Office — ensuring the program draws from existing resources rather than receiving a separate appropriation.
Key provisions
- 1Would reauthorize the appropriation of funds for the Junior Duck Stamp program for fiscal years 2025 through 2031, extending the program's statutory life.
- 2Would add a provision prohibiting any additional funding beyond amounts already authorized for the Federal Duck Stamp Office, preventing a separate or supplemental appropriation.
- 3Would amend the definition of 'State' by removing the phrase 'any other territory or possession' after the Virgin Islands, narrowing the list of covered jurisdictions.
Who would be affected
K–12 students and teachers who participate in the Junior Duck Stamp program's conservation curriculum and art competition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its Federal Duck Stamp Office, and state-level program coordinators. The territorial scope change may affect which jurisdictions' students are eligible to participate.
Why it matters
Without reauthorization, the program would lose its statutory funding base after FY2024, potentially suspending conservation education activities and the annual art competition. The no-additional-funds clause constrains the program to operate within the Duck Stamp Office's existing budget, meaning funding levels depend on what Congress appropriates to that office.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Reauthorizes Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 (Sec. 1(b))
Extends the authorization of appropriations from the prior period (FY2006–2010) to FY2025–2031 and adds a no-additional-funds restriction.
Amends 16 U.S.C. § 719b-1 (Sec. 1(a))
Revises the definition of 'State' to remove the catch-all 'any other territory or possession' after the Virgin Islands.
Amends 16 U.S.C. § 719c (Sec. 1(b))
Updates the appropriations authorization period to FY2025–2031 and adds a subsection barring funds beyond amounts authorized for the Federal Duck Stamp Office.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Reauthorized appropriations period for the Junior Duck Stamp program
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 1098 would cost $2 million over the 2025–2030 period, subject to future appropriations, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.
H.R. 1098 would reauthorize $350,000 per year in discretionary appropriations (funding that Congress must separately approve each year) from 2025 through 2031 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to administer the Junior Duck Stamp program, which supports conservation education and an annual student art competition. Assuming those amounts are appropriated each year, CBO estimates the bill would cost $2 million over the 2025–2030 period. The bill would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending, revenues, or the deficit, and CBO found no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates.
How implementation would work
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would continue administering the program through the Federal Duck Stamp Office under the reauthorized statute. Appropriations for FY2025–FY2031 may only be drawn from funds already authorized for the Duck Stamp Office, not from a new standalone line item. The FWS would continue selling Junior Duck Stamps and directing stamp revenue toward student program activities, as under existing program rules.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
By way of background, the program is an art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school. The program hosts a national art competition and the winning design is featured on the junior duck stamp sold by the FWS. The revenue generated from the sale of the stamp is used to support activities for students who participate in the program.
Legislative subjects
Animals; Elementary and secondary education; Environmental education; Student aid and college costs; Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-396