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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 14, 2023 11:03 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie, III |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | PA Game Commission License Modernization Bill |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation authorizing the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) the ability to create and maintain classifications of hunting and trapping licenses and the fees for each license classification. Currently, license classifications and fees are established by statute in the Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34). Under my proposed legislation, changes to license classifications and fees would be established by regulation approved by the PGC Board of Commissioners following a rigorous, transparent process, in which the PGC is required to provide notice of the proposed change in accordance with the Commonwealth Documents Law, hold at least one public hearing, and review and consider public comment prior to voting on final adoption. Both the Senate and House Game and Fisheries Committees will then review the proposed changes and either committee may report a concurrent resolution recommending disapproval to the General Assembly before the changes could take effect. It is important to note that Title 34 directs the PGC to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Game and Fisheries and Appropriations Committees, and the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit of the PGC every three years. Further, members of the PGC Board of Commissioners are subject to Senate confirmation. I believe that these checks and balances, coupled with a lengthy regulatory process that is subject to legislative review, provides the General Assembly with the opportunity to ensure the responsible implementation of this authority. Similar legislation, Act No. 56 of 2020, was enacted for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to give the PGC the flexibility it needs to better serve Pennsylvania’s hunter, trappers, and wildlife enthusiasts. |
Introduced as HB1440