This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two House Committee on Natural Resources bills with significant bipartisan support. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"The bills passed today in the House represent bipartisan committee products delivering commonsense solutions for the American people. I'd like to thank my friend and fellow Arkansan, Senator John Boozman, for his work to improve and modernize how waterfowl hunters across the country can purchase a Federal Duck Stamp. I also want to thank Congressman Garret Graves, who sponsored the House Companion of this bill, for his tireless work on this issue. We also passed Congresswoman Hoyle's legislation which will provide a process by which the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians can rework or negotiate the hunting, fishing, trapping and animal gathering rights of the tribe through their agreements with the state of Oregon. I'm proud to support these bills and encourage the Senate to act quickly so these bipartisan measures can be signed into law."

Background

S. 788, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), will modernize the Duck Stamp program and specifically allow waterfowl hunters the option for immediate purchase of an electronic Duck Stamp, which they could carry with them on their license or on their phones for the entire waterfowl season. Historically, sportsmen and women have been required to carry a physical signed copy of their Duck Stamp attached to their license. The House passed an identical version of this legislation, H.R. 2872, introduced by U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), on September 20, 2023, by voice vote.

H.R. 2839, introduced by U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), will amend the Siletz Reservation Act to provide a process by which the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the state of Oregon may negotiate, amend or replace the current agreement governing the tribe’s hunting, fishing, trapping and animal gathering rights.