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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 27, 2019 01:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Barry J. Jozwiak |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Set Fees for the PA Game Commission |
| In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation to help the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) continue to deliver the services expected by the Commonwealth’s hunters and trappers by increasing fees for certain licenses for the first time since 1999. The proposed increases would be phased in incrementally over a three-year period to lessen the fiscal impact on our sportsmen. Specifically, my legislation would increase the cost of a resident general hunting license from $19 to $28 over that three-year period, increasing to $24 in the first year, $26 in the second year, $28 in the third year and thereafter. Other licenses would be increased in similar fashion, but there would be NO INCREASE in the Junior, Senior or Military-related general licenses. The legislation will also provide for the creation of an Ultimate Outdoorsman Combination License that would include bear, archery, muzzleloader, furtaker, migratory game bird, and special wild turkey at a cost of $100 for the first year, $110 for the second year, and $120 for the third year and thereafter for residents. The cost for non-residents would be $340 for the first year, $350 for the second year, and $360 for the third year and thereafter. Consistent with the long-established user pays/user benefits model of funding wildlife conservation, fees from hunting and furtaking licenses, and related federal reimbursements, comprise the largest portion of revenue for the PGC. While the Commission is actively trying to diversify its funding base, the core revenue stream of license sales is fundamental to the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission. A modest fee increase would help alleviate the Commission’s fiscal challenges and allow the agency to continue providing hunters and trappers with exceptional programs and services for the foreseeable future. It is no secret that hunting is crucial to our state’s fiscal well-being, and recent reports show that it has a nearly $3 billion impact on our state’s economy. Please consider joining me in cosponsoring this important legislation to help protect the future of hunting and trapping in Pennsylvania, and the considerable economic impact it has on our Commonwealth. |