S. 1865 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1865 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 19, 2013Mr. Begich (for himself, Mr. Coons, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the prices set for Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps and make limited waivers of stamp requirements for certain users. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (commonly known as duck stamps) were created in 1934 as Federal licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl; (2) (A) duck stamps are a vital tool for wetland conservation; (B) 98 percent of the receipts from duck stamp sales are used to acquire important migratory bird breeding, migration, and wintering habitat, which are added to the National Wildlife Refuge System; and (C) those benefits extend to all wildlife, not just ducks; (3) since its inception, the Federal duck stamp program has— (A) generated more than $750,000,000; (B) preserved more than 5,000,000 acres of wetland and wildlife habitat; and (C) is considered among the most successful conservation programs ever initiated; (4) (A) since 1934, when duck stamps cost $1, the price has been increased 7 times to the price in effect on the date of enactment of this Act of $15, which took effect in 1991; and (B) the price of the duck stamp has not increased since 1991, the longest single period without an increase in program history; and (5) with the price unchanged during the 20-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act, duck stamps have lost 40 percent of their value based on the consumer price index, while the United States Fish and Wildlife Service reports the price of land in targeted wetland areas has tripled from an average of $306 to $1,091 per acre. 3. Cost of stamps Section 2 of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718b) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Cost of stamps (1) In general For the 5-calendar-year period beginning with calendar year 2014, and for each 5-calendar-year period thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, shall establish the amount to be collected under paragraph (2) for each stamp sold under this section, provided that the amount shall not exceed $25 for the initial 5-calendar-year period and not exceed $30 for the subsequent 5-calendar-year period. (2) Collection of amounts The United States Postal Service, the Department of the Interior, or any other agent approved by the Department of the Interior, shall collect the amount established under paragraph (1) for each stamp sold under this section for a hunting year if the Secretary determines, at any time before February 1 of the calendar year during which the hunting year begins, that all amounts described in paragraph (3) have been obligated for expenditure. (3) Amounts The amounts described in this paragraph are amounts in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund available for obligation and attributable to— (A) amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act for the fiscal year ending in the immediately preceding calendar year; and (B) the sale of stamps under this section during that fiscal year. . 4. Waivers Section 1(a) of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718a(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting and subsection (d) after paragraph (2); and (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Waivers (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, may waive requirements under this section for such individuals as the Secretary, in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, determines to be appropriate. (2) Limitation In making the determination described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall grant only those waivers the Secretary determines will have a minimal adverse effect on funds to be deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established under section 4(a)(3). .