Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 1998

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. ELECTRONIC ISSUANCE OF MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING AND CONSERVATION 
              STAMPS.

    Section 2 of the Act of March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718b), is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Electronic Issuance of Stamps.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Actual stamp.--The term `actual stamp' means 
                a printed paper stamp that is issued and sold through a 
                means in use on the day before the date of enactment of 
                this subsection.
                    ``(B) Electronic stamp.--The term `electronic 
                stamp' means a representation of a stamp issued 
                electronically under paragraph (2).
                    ``(C) Stamp.--The term `stamp' means a migratory 
                bird hunting and conservation stamp required by the 
                first section.
            ``(2) Authorization.--The Department of the Interior, the 
        Postal Service, or, subject to paragraph (7), a State or person 
        authorized under subsection (a) to sell stamps, may issue 
        representations of stamps electronically by endorsement affixed 
        to licenses issued at points of sale or through other 
        electronic media.
            ``(3) Size of electronic stamps.--An electronic stamp shall 
        be of an area that is less than \3/4\, or more than 1\1/2\, of 
        the area of an actual stamp.
            ``(4) Confirmation number and other identifying 
        information.--
                    ``(A) Confirmation number.--An electronic stamp 
                shall be assigned a unique confirmation number.
                    ``(B) Other identifying information.--Each issuer 
                of an electronic stamp and unique confirmation number 
                shall print on the electronic stamp appropriate 
                information that is sufficient to permit Federal, 
                State, and other law enforcement officers to verify the 
                electronic stamp, confirmation number, and sales 
                transaction with the licensee.
            ``(5) Delivery of actual stamps.--An entity that issues 
        electronic stamps shall have financial responsibility for the 
        sale, delivery, and mailing of the corresponding actual stamp 
        to the licensee within 14 calendar days after the date of 
        issuance of the electronic stamp.
            ``(6) Recognition of electronic stamps.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An electronic stamp and its 
                unique confirmation number shall--
                            ``(i) subject to the requirements of the 
                        first section, be given full recognition during 
                        the period beginning on the date of issuance of 
                        the electronic stamp until the date on which 
                        the corresponding actual stamp is received; and
                            ``(ii) expire and be replaced by the actual 
                        stamp upon receipt of the actual stamp, but not 
                        later than 14 calendar days after the date of 
                        issuance of the electronic stamp, if the 
                        licensee complies with the requirements of the 
                        first section.
            ``(7) Plan.--
                    ``(A) Submission to secretary of the interior.--A 
                State or person may participate in the issuance of an 
                electronic stamp under this subsection only if the 
                Secretary of the Interior has approved a plan submitted 
                by the State or person that provides for--
                            ``(i) a satisfactory accounting process for 
                        the collection and transfer of revenue;
                            ``(ii) distribution and law enforcement 
                        verification of the electronic transaction; and
                            ``(iii) the subsequent distribution of the 
                        actual stamp.
                    ``(B) Action by the secretary.--Not later than 60 
                days after the date of submission of a plan under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Interior shall--
                            ``(i) review the request of the State or 
                        person and all accompanying documentation and 
                        other information available to the Secretary; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) make a determination to approve or 
                        disapprove the plan.
            ``(8) Electronic collection of electronic stamp sales 
        revenue.--Not later than 14 days after the date of issuance of 
        an electronic stamp under this subsection, a State or person 
        shall transfer to the Department of the Interior or a 
        designated agent the revenue collected from the issuance by 
        means of an electronic fund transfer method approved by, and 
        compatible with, the accounting system of the Department of the 
        Interior or the designated agent.''.

Summary: Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law to allow the Department of the Interior, the Postal Service, or a State or person authorized to sell Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamps to issue representations of such stamps electronically by endorsement affixed to licenses issued at points of sale or through other electronic media. Permits such States or persons to participate in the issuance of an electronic stamp only if the Secretary of the Interior has approved a plan submitted by the entity that provides for: (1) a satisfactory accounting process for the collection and transfer of revenue, (2) distribution and law enforcement verification of the electronic transaction. And (3) the subsequent distribution of the actual stamp. Requires such States or persons, not later than 14 days after the issuance of an electronic stamp, to transfer to the Department or designated agent the revenue collected from the issuance by means of an electronic fund transfer method approved by, and compatible with, the Department's or the designated agent's accounting system.