Total Score: 730/2,100 points (34.8% of maximum possible score)
The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 aims to update and modernize the Federal Duck Stamp program, which funds wetland conservation. The Act involves moderate regulatory changes and increases in government spending to improve the program’s efficiency and accessibility. It expands government oversight while supporting conservation efforts with a limited impact on personal freedoms and the free market.
| Criteria | Score (out of 100) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Regulatory Language and New Powers | 60 | Grants new responsibilities to update and oversee the Duck Stamp program. |
| 2. Mandates on Individuals or Businesses | 40 | Imposes requirements on businesses involved in the sale and distribution of Duck Stamps. |
| 3. Repeal or Modification of Existing Laws | 35 | Modifies existing laws to modernize the Duck Stamp program. |
| 4. Funding Provisions and Government Control | 70 | Allocates funding for the modernization and improvement of the program. |
| 5. Powers Granted to Government Agencies | 65 | Grants discretionary powers to agencies overseeing the Duck Stamp program. |
| 6. Penalties and Compliance Mechanisms | 50 | Specifies penalties for non-compliance with new regulations. |
| 7. Reporting Requirements | 55 | Introduces new reporting requirements for businesses and agencies involved in the program. |
| 8. Sunset Clauses | 20 | Includes sunset clauses for periodic review of the program’s effectiveness. |
| 9. Authority and Oversight | 60 | Delegates authority to federal agencies to ensure compliance with the Act. |
| 10. Judicial Review | 30 | Provides limited provisions for judicial review of regulatory decisions. |
| 11. Emergency Powers | 25 | Grants minimal emergency powers related to program implementation. |
| 12. Exemptions and Waivers | 30 | Offers limited exemptions from existing regulations. |
| 13. Impact Assessments | 45 | Includes assessments of the expected effects on government control and cost. |
| 14. Spending and Taxes | 70 | Increases government spending to fund the modernization efforts. |
| 15. Market Manipulation | 30 | Minor impact on the market through conservation incentives. |
| 16. Tax Code and Reporting | 25 | Minimal impact on the tax code. |
| 17. Areas Outside Original Purpose | 20 | Stays within the original purpose of supporting wetland conservation. |
| 18. Reducing Government Power | 35 | Moderately increases government power through oversight and funding. |
| 19. Impact on Free Markets | 40 | Some impact on free markets due to increased oversight and funding. |
| 20. Personal Freedom | 40 | Minor impact on personal freedoms related to conservation efforts. |
| 21. Reducing Spending and Debt | 30 | Increases spending without addressing the national debt. |