Game & Fisheries 2017-2018
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 and took the following action::
Reported Out as Committed:
HB 582 (Gillespie) The bill creates a volunteer instructor license, which shall be issued by the PA Game Commission to individuals who are residents of PA and are certified by the commission as qualified to teach any of the hunter or trapper education curriculums offered by the PGC. The bill was reported out by a 11-1 vote.
HB 1153 (Boback) The allows active duty military fishing and hunting licenses issued by PA and each state in agreement to be recognized licenses in any state participating in such an agreement. The bill was reported out unanimously.
SB 1153 (Corman) The bill allows the use of electronic deer calls. The bill was reported out by a 9-3 vote.
Reported Out as Amended:
HB 1409 (Wentling) The bill permits nonresident disabled veterans and former POWs to receive the same licensing fee reductions and exemptions that are currently reserved for resident disabled veterans and former POWs. The bill was reported out unanimously.
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 and took the following action::
Reported as Amended:
HB 359 (English) – This bill amends the Game Code to add bear and elk to the list of big game species covered under the mistaken kill provisions of Title 34. Under that section, procedures are detailed that must be followed by the hunter who mistakenly kills a big game animal, including surrendering the animal to a Game Commission officer and paying restitution.
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Monday, October 23, 2017 and took the following action::
Reported as Committed:
SB 935 (Scarnati) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to institute a term limit of 8 years on the position of executive director of the Fish and Boat Commission.
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 and took to following action::
Reported as Committed:
SB 135 (Scavello) – This legislation amends the Pennsylvania Game Code, providing an exemption to allow for the use of a leashed tracking dog to track white-tailed deer to assist in recovering an animal which has been legally harvested or wounded.
SB 240 (Hutchinson) – This legislation amends Title 34 (Game) extending reduced fee hunting and furtaking licenses to non-resident disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.
The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 and took to following action:
Reported As Committed:
SB 123 (Scavello) – This legislation amends Title 34 (Game), providing for falconry to be added to the list of exemptions for Sunday hunting. Currently, Title 34 §2303 prohibits hunting on Sunday with the exception of the hunting of foxes and coyotes. This legislation will add an additional exception for falconry.
SB 30 (Eichelberger) – This legislation amends Title 30 (Fish), authorizing the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to establish the fees charged by the agency.
SB 192 (Stefano) – This legislation amends Title 34 (Game), authorizing the Pennsylvania Game Commission to establish the fees charged by the agency.
Senator Jim Brewster
Committee Chair