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

# §718q. State application

- (a) **Approval of application required—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) may not authorize a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) to issue [electronic stamps](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) under this subchapter unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) has received and approved an application submitted by the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) in accordance with this section. The [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) may determine the number of new [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) per year to participate in the [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) program.
- (b) **Contents of application—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) may not approve a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) application unless the application contains—
  - (1) a description of the format of the [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) that the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) will issue under this subchapter, including identifying features of the licensee that will be specified on the stamp;
  - (2) a description of any fee the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) will charge for issuance of an [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3);
  - (3) a description of the process the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) will use to account for and transfer to the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) the amounts collected by the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) that are required to be transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) under the program;
  - (4) the manner by which the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) will transmit [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) customer data to the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4);
  - (5) the manner by which [actual stamps](/usc/16/718o.md?p=1) will be delivered;
  - (6) the policies and procedures under which the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) will issue duplicate [electronic stamps](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3); and
  - (7) such other policies, procedures, and information as may be reasonably required by the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4).
- (c) **Publication of deadlines, eligibility requirements, and selection criteria—** Not later than 30 days before the date on which the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) begins accepting applications under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) shall publish—
  - (1) deadlines for submission of applications;
  - (2) eligibility requirements for submitting applications; and
  - (3) criteria for approving applications.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–239, § 4, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2848.)