The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MIGRATORY BIRD FRAMEWORK AND HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS ACT” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H8853-H8854 on Sept. 25, 2018.
The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MIGRATORY BIRD FRAMEWORK AND HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS ACT
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6013) to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish January 31 of each year as the Federal closing date for duck hunting season and to establish special duck hunting days for youths, veterans, and active military personnel, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6013
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Migratory Bird Framework and Hunting Opportunities for Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL CLOSING DATE FOR HUNTING OF DUCKS,
MERGANSERS, AND COOTS.
Section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 704) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Federal Framework Closing Date for Hunting of Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots.--
``(1) In general.--In promulgating regulations under subsection (a) relating to the Federal framework for outside dates within which the States may select seasons for migratory bird hunting, except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall, with respect to the hunting season for ducks, mergansers, and coots--
``(A) adopt the recommendation of each respective flyway council (as defined in section 20.152 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations) for the Federal framework if considered by the Secretary to be consistent with science-based and sustainable adaptive harvest management, but the framework closing date shall be January 31 of each year; and
``(B) allow the States to establish the closing date for the hunting season in accordance with the Federal framework.
``(2) Special duck hunting days for youths, veterans, and active military personnel.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the closing date under paragraph (1) and subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall allow States to select 2 days for youths and 2 days for veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code), and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training), to hunt ducks, mergansers, and coots. Such days shall be treated as an addition to the regular hunting season lengths selected by the States.
``(B) Requirements.--In selecting days under subparagraph
(A), a State shall ensure that--
``(i) the days selected--
``(I) do not fall within the regular hunting season for ducks, mergansers, and coots;
``(II) with regard to youth days, are on a weekend, holiday or other day in which schools are not in session; and
``(III) are not more than 14 days before or after the hunting season for duck, mergansers, and coots; and
``(ii) the total number of days in a hunting season for ducks, mergansers and coots, including any days selected under subparagraph (A), is not more than 107 days.
``(C) Limitation.--A State may combine the 2 days allowed for youths with the 2 days allowed for veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty under subparagraph (A), but in no circumstance may a State have more than a total of 4 additional days added to its regular hunting season for any purpose.
``(3) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this subsection for the Federal framework for migratory bird hunting for the 2019-2020 hunting season and each hunting season thereafter.''.
Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish January 31 of each year as the Federal framework closing date for the duck hunting season and to establish special duck hunting days for youths, veterans, and active military personnel, and for other purposes.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).
General Leave
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6013, the Migratory Bird Framework and Hunting Opportunities for Veterans Act, accomplishes two goals. First, it provides certainty to States by setting a specific Federal framework closing date for duck hunting. Second, it provides States the option to establish special duck hunting days for youth, veterans, and members of the Armed Forces.
In addition to the Department of the Interior, I want to thank Ducks Unlimited, Vista Outdoors, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, and Will Primos among others for their work on and support of this important bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman mentioned, this bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish special duck hunting days for youth and veterans. While I generally support expanding hunting opportunities for youth and veterans, it is important that we do it in a way that does not detract from management decisions based on sound science that produces the best outcomes for wildlife populations.
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a law which codified our Nation's commitment to honor international treaties that protect migratory bird populations. It is important to remember that prior to its passage, birds like the snowy egret and wood duck were plummeting towards extinction due to market hunting and unregulated commercial trade in bird feathers.
Thanks to the protections afforded by the MBTA, these birds and many others have recovered from the brink of extinction, while maintaining opportunities for hunters to participate in waterfowl hunting through science-based management and population assessments.
Congress has an obligation to ensure that the Secretary of the Interior retains the authority to determine when hunting of migratory game birds can take place in the United States. While the flyway councils play a critical role in developing regulations, establishing the framework for migratory bird management is a Federal responsibility that should be done in consultation with flyway councils.
I do want to thank Chairman Bishop for working with our staff to make modest changes to the bill to address some of our concerns. We hope to continue working with our colleagues in the Senate to make further refinements and ensure that this bill does not move us forward in a way that departs from sound, science-based management.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6013, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish January 31 of each year as the Federal framework closing date for the duck hunting season and to establish special duck hunting days for youths, veterans, and active military personnel, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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