Posted: | September 28, 2017 12:29 PM |
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From: | Representative Bryan Barbin |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Fish and Wildlife Merger of Law Enforcement and Administrative Functions |
Next week, I will introduce legislation that merges the administrative offices and law enforcement bureaus of the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Game Commission. The bill combines the executive offices of the Commissions and creates an overall Director of Fish and Wildlife services within the Title 34 (Game). The newly combined agency would continue the Commissions’ current levels of independence. The bill also creates a single law enforcement bureau with power to administer fishing, boating, and hunting laws and regulations. Both Commissions are facing serious fiscal challenges, with proposed cuts in services in the near future. The bill provides substantial pension and payroll savings, including the elimination of an Executive Director position. According to a study done by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee in 2014, the overall cost savings would be $5 Million Dollars. My bill also would require an audit every two years by the Auditor General of expenditures and revenues to provide transparency for all hunters, anglers, and boaters. |
Introduced as HB1895