Game & Fisheries 2015-2016

The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Monday, May 16, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

HB 1722 (Jozwiak): This legislation amends Title 34 (Game) by permitting dogs to assist in the hunting of big game in the Commonwealth.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed:

SB 1166 (Stefano): This legislation authorized the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions to establish their own fees charged by the agencies.

Reported as Amended :

SB 1168 (Eichelberger):  This legislation authorized the Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions to establish their own fees charged by the agencies.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Amended:

SB 374 (Alloway): This legislation permits  the Pennsylvania Game commission to determine the proper time allotted to report the harvesting of big game.

SB 1115 (Scavello): This legislation allows for leased dogs to assist in the tracking of big game after it has been shot. Amendment A06209 was adopted. The amendment clarifies Elk, Bear and Whitetail Deer to the list of big game that can be tracked.

HB 1452 (Gillespe): This legislation would grant  volunteer hunter educators to receive a discounted hunters licence. Amendment A06210 was adopted. This amendment fills in a void of mentored hunting programs to allow for persons twelve and older to be included in the program.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 979 (Boscola): Amends Title 34 (Game) to increase the fine for killing a bald or golden eagles from $200 to $2,500. This bill was approved unanimously.

HB 1168 (Maloney): Amends Title 34 (Game) to increase the availability of certified hunter education courses in our public schools. This bill was approved unanimously.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 1065 (Scavello): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by allowing hunting with the use of birds of prey on Sundays.

HB 698 (Marshall): This bill will amend Title 34 (Game) and will specify that, while hunting, a motorized wheelchair is not unlawful, and that a firearm may be loaded while the device is in motion, given that the user has a disabled person permit and cannot walk.

Both of these bills were passed unanimously through committee.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed

SB 77 (Alloway): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by y)changing the permitted area allowed to train hunting dogs. The vote was unanimous.

SB 737 (Hutchinson): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by allowing semiautomatic rifles to be used while hunting coyotes and woodchucks in the Commonwealth. The vote was unanimous.

HB 263 (Gabler): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by allowing air, chemical or gas powered firearms to be used while hunting wildlife. The vote was unanimous.

HB 455 (Keller): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by allowing an individual to remain silent during questioning in the investigation of a potential violation of the Game Code. The vote was unanimous.


The Senate Game & Fisheries Committee met on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 and took the following action.

Reported As Committed:

SB 604 (Wiley): This Bill would amend Title 30 (Fish) to provide that the funds generated by the sale of this permit may also be used for other projects that support public fishing in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and its tributaries. The bill was approved unanimously.