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

# §718s. Electronic stamp requirements; recognition of electronic stamp

- (a) **Stamp requirements—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/718o.md?p=4) shall require an [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) issued by a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) under this subchapter—
  - (1) to have the same format as any other license, validation, or privilege the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) issues under the [automated licensing system](/usc/16/718o.md?p=2-A) of the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4); and
  - (2) to specify identifying features of the licensee that are adequate to enable Federal, [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4), and other law enforcement officers to identify the holder.
- (b) **Recognition of electronic stamp—** Any [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) issued by a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) under this subchapter shall—
  - (1) bestow upon the licensee the same privileges as are bestowed by an [actual stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=1);
  - (2) be recognized nationally as a valid Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp; and
  - (3) authorize the licensee to hunt [migratory waterfowl](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-2) in any other [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4), in accordance with the laws of the other [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) governing that hunting.
- (c) **Duration—** An [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) issued by a [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4) shall be valid through the first June 30 that occurs after the date of issuance of the [electronic stamp](/usc/16/718o.md?p=3) by the [State](/usc/16/718j.md?p=b-4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–239, § 6, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2849; Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(c), Dec. 19, 2023, 137 Stat. 130.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(c)(1), substituted “shall—” for “shall, during the effective period of the electronic stamp—” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–25, § 2(c)(2), substituted “through the first June 30 that occurs after the date of issuance of the electronic stamp by the State” for “for a period agreed to by the State and the Secretary, which shall not exceed 45 days”.