---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 718o"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "718o"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/718o"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Protection of Migratory Game and Insectivorous Birds"
  - "Subchapter IV–A — Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp"
---

# §718o. Definitions


In this subchapter:

- (1) **Actual stamp—** The term “actual stamp” means a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp required under the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act ([16 U.S.C. 718a](/usc/16/718a.md) et seq.) that is printed on paper and sold through the means established by the authority of the [Secretary](#4) immediately before December 18, 2014.
- (2) **Automated licensing system—**
  - (A) **In general—** The term “automated licensing system” means an electronic, computerized licensing system used by a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) agency to issue hunting, fishing, and other associated licenses and products.
  - (B) **Inclusion—** The term “[automated licensing system](#2-A)” includes a point-of-sale, Internet, telephonic system, or other electronic applications used for a purpose described in [subparagraph (A)](#2-A).
- (3) **Electronic stamp—** The term “electronic stamp” means an electronic version of an [actual stamp](#1) that—
  - (A) is a unique identifier for the individual to whom it is issued;
  - (B) can be printed on paper or produced through an electronic application with the same indicators as the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) endorsement provides;
  - (C) is issued through a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) [automated licensing system](#2-A) that is authorized, under [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) law and by the [Secretary](#4) under this subchapter, to issue [electronic stamps](#3);
  - (D) is compatible with the hunting licensing system of the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) that issues the [electronic stamp](#3);
  - (E) is described in the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) application approved by the [Secretary](#4) under [section 718q(b) of this title](/usc/16/718q.md?p=b); and
  - (F) may contain an image of the [actual stamp](#1).
- (4) **Secretary—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–239, § 2, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2847; Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(b), Dec. 19, 2023, 137 Stat. 129.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, referred to in par. (1), is act Mar. 16, 1934, ch. 71, 48 Stat. 451, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 718 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 718 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

2023—Par. (1). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(b)(1), substituted “Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp required under the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718a et seq.) that is printed” for “Federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamp required under the Act of March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718a et seq.) (popularly known as the ‘Duck Stamp Act’), that is printed”.

Par. (3)(F). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(b)(2), added subpar. (F).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title of 2023 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–25, § 1, Dec. 19, 2023, 137 Stat. 129, provided that: “This Act [amending this section and sections 718a, 718r, and 718s of this title] may be cited as the ‘Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023’.”

### Short Title

Pub. L. 113–239, § 1, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2847, provided that: “This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013’.”