Junior Duck Stamp Program Reauthorized Through 2031, But US Territories Lose 'State' Status

This bill, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 Reauthorization Act of 2024, is mostly a piece of necessary administrative housekeeping. It ensures that the popular Junior Duck Stamp Program—which focuses on youth conservation education through art—gets to stick around. Specifically, it reauthorizes the program for seven more years, covering fiscal years 2025 through 2031 (SEC. 1).

The Good News: Program Stability Without New Spending

For anyone who values conservation education or has kids who participate in the program, the big takeaway is stability. The program is officially extended, which means students can continue submitting artwork and learning about wetlands and wildlife for the rest of the decade. Crucially, the bill specifies that the funding for this reauthorization must come only from amounts already authorized for the Federal Duck Stamp Office (SEC. 1). This is the policy equivalent of saying, “We’re keeping the lights on, but we’re using the existing budget.” It means the program continues without requiring any new, dedicated funding streams—a procedural win that keeps the program running without increasing the federal budget.

The Catch: A Quiet Change to Definitions

While the main goal is reauthorization, there’s a technical change that could have real-world implications for some participants. The bill updates the definition of "State" within the original Act. It explicitly removes the phrase ", and any other territory or possession" from the existing list, which includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands (SEC. 1).

What does this mean on the ground? The original Act included specific US territories as eligible participants. By removing the catch-all phrase “and any other territory or possession,” it creates ambiguity or potential exclusion for students and educators in those territories. If you’re a student in, say, American Samoa, and your participation was covered under that broader definition, this technical edit could potentially limit your ability to participate in the program moving forward. It’s a small, procedural edit that could disproportionately affect access for residents of US territories, which is an important detail to flag in a bill focused on nationwide education.

Bottom Line for Busy People

This bill is primarily about keeping a successful, established youth education program alive through 2031, which is a clear benefit for conservation and art education. It does so without asking for new money, which is good news for budget hawks. However, the quiet removal of the broad definition of “State” creates a potential hurdle for participants in US territories who rely on federal programs like this one. It’s a classic example of how a seemingly minor technical edit in a reauthorization bill can affect who gets to participate.