Game & Fisheries 2013-2014

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee June 26, 2014 and reported the following out of committee:

As Committed

House Bill 2199 (Keller): An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in game or wildlife protection, further provides for unlawful activities.

As Amended

House Bill 2178 (Moul): An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies and for powers and duties of enforcement officers


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met June 11, 2014 and reported the following out of committee:

As Committed

House Bill 1144 (Haluska): Amends Title 34 (Game) by amending the definition of “bow” to include a device held in place by a brace secured around the body of the hunter and to include a crossbow which, when used for hunting deer, bear or turkey, has a draw weight of no less than 125 pounds and uses arrows tipped with broadheads of a cutting edge design

Senate Bill 1332 (Kasunic): Amends Title 34 (Game) defining “unmanned aircraft”; in game or wildlife protection, adding that disturbance of game or wildlife includes activity where a person who is not engaged in lawful activities intentionally drives or disturbs game or wildlife by means of unmanned aircraft; and, in hunting and furtaking, adding that interference with lawful taking of wildlife includes using an unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with another person’s lawful taking of game or wildlife

Senate Bill 1334 (Kasunic): Amends Title 30 (Fish) defining “unmanned aircraft”; and, in enforcement, adding that prohibited interference with lawful fishing and boating includes the use of an unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with another person’s lawful fishing or boating. The bill provides for exceptions and penalties.

Senate Bill 1348 (Wiley): Amends Title 30 (Fish), in special licenses and permits, further providing for Lake Erie fishing permits by stipulating that no person shall fish in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries, including waters that flow into those tributaries, without first procuring an annual special permit to fish in Lake Erie and tributaries or a combination trout/salmon permit and Lake Erie permit. The proceeds from the fees for the special permits to fish in Lake Erie and tributaries may also be used for other projects that support public fishing on or at Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries.

Senate Bill 1402 (Hutchinson): Amends Title 34 (Game), in hunting and furtaking, further providing for unlawful devices and methods adding that semiautomatic rifle may be used to hunt coyotes and woodchucks in accordance with regulations of the commission except during regular firearm season for deer, regular firearm season for bear, and spring and fall season for turkey.

As Amended
House Bill 2169 (Gabler): Amends Title 34 (Game) reauthorizing the “Special Elk Conservation Tag” and creating a second special tag to be utilized by the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. A recipient selected to receive a license must be subjected to a background check prior to being awarded the license. The Commission shall hold a random drawing of applications for the issuance of elk licenses under this subsection at the Elk Country Visitor Center in the Township of Benezette. Provides for rules governing the raffle.


The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee met April 8, 2014 and reported the following out of Committee:

As Committed

Senate Resolution 338 (Alloway): This resolution urges the Pennsylvania Game Commission to include Lyme disease education in the Hunter-Trapper Education training courses that are offered to hunters each year


The Senate Game & Fish Committee met December 4, 2013 and reported the following bills out of Committee:

As Committed

House Bill 1584 (Causer): Amends Titles 30 (Fish & Boat Code) and 34 (Game Code) to further clarify that waterways and wildlife conservation officers have the discretion to issue warnings in lieu of making arrests or issuing citations.

As Amended

Senate Bill 1190 (Scarnati): An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, reenacting and further providing for elk hunting licenses


The Senate Game & Fish Committee met October 1, 2013 and reported the following bills out of Committee:

As Committed

Senate Bill 1068 (Alloway): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to further provide for permits for dog training areas.

As Amended

Senate Bill 895 (Alloway): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to provide for reduction in the length of a term for a member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners, while permitting multiple terms of continued service.

Senate Bill 1102 (Scarnati): This bill amends Title 30 (Fish) to provide for a reduced-fee hunting license to disabled veterans paid at the one hundred percent rate.

Senate Bill 1090 (Baker): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to provide for a reduced-fee hunting license to disabled veterans paid at the one hundred percent rate.

House Bill 798 (Hefley): This bill amends Title 30 (Fish) to provide for reduction in the length of a term for a member of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Board of Commissioners, while permitting multiple terms of continued service.


The Senate Game and Fish Committee met and reported the following legislation out of Committee:

As Amended
Senate Bill 895
(Alloway): Amends Title 34 further providing for organization of commission.

Senate Bill 1090 (Baker): Amends Title 34 providing for resident license and fee exemptions.

Senate Bill 1102 (Scaranati) Amends Title 30 providing for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war dsicount for licenses.

House Bill 798 (Heffley): Amends Title 30 (Fish and Boat Code) to reduce the length of terms of service for members of the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s Board of Commissioners from eight years to four years

As Committed
Senate Bill 1068 (Alloway): Amends Title 34 further providing for dog training areas


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met April 17, 2013 and reported the following bills out of committee:

As Committed

Senate Bill 647 (Alloway): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; and, in hunting and furtaking, further providing for the offense of trespass on private property while hunting.

Senate Bill 763 (Kasunic): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for roster of parties hunting big game.

Senate Bill 764 (Kasunic): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for powers and duties of commission.

As Amended

Senate Bill 648 (Alloway): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement, further providing for liability for actions of others


The Senate Game and Fish Committee met March 12, 2013 and reported the following bills:

As Amended

Senate Bill 521 (Alloway): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special licenses and permits, further providing for definitions, for exotic wildlife possession permits and for menagerie permits. The bill was reported out unanimously.

As Committed

Senate Bill 547 (Solobay):  Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for special provisions for certain deer hunters. The bill was reported out 10-1.

Senate Bill 623 (Corman): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for license requirements and for unlawful acts concerning licenses. The bill was reported out unanimously.

Senate Bill 644 (Scarnati): Amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the definition of “wild animals.” The bill was reported out unanimously.