HR 1098: To reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994.

HR 1098 in plain English: This bill reauthorizes the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program through FY2031. The program, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to K-12 students through an art and science curriculum, and funds a national art competition whose winning design appears on a collectible stamp sold to support student participants.

Stated purpose

To renew the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program through 2031, which teaches K-12 students about wetland and waterfowl conservation through art and science activities, including a national art competition.

Key points

• Extends the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program through FY2031.
• Program teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.
• Hosts a national art competition; winning design is featured on the Junior Duck Stamp.
• Revenue from stamp sales supports student participants in the program.

Arguments supporters make

• The program combines hands-on science and art education to teach children about conservation, giving young people practical environmental knowledge at an early age.
• Reauthorizing the program costs nothing beyond what is already budgeted for the Federal Duck Stamp Office, since no new or additional funds are authorized.
• The program has a long track record dating to 1994, suggesting it is an established and stable use of existing resources.

Arguments opponents make

• The bill pulls funding from within an already limited Federal Duck Stamp Office budget, which could reduce resources available for other duck stamp priorities.
• Congress is extending a program whose authorization lapsed years ago — a sign of limited oversight — without any formal evaluation of whether the program has achieved measurable conservation or educational results.
• Restricting eligible territories by removing 'any other territory or possession' from the definition of State could exclude some U.S. communities from participating in the program.

Tradeoffs

Continuing the program means directing Federal Duck Stamp Office funds toward K-12 education activities rather than other potential uses of those funds; the bill trades flexibility in how those dollars are spent for a dedicated youth conservation curriculum.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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