Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru the end of 2024, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
Advanced Search
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
10/19/2024 04:10 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=40352
Share:
Home / House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 29, 2023 02:31 PM
From: Representative Chris Pielli
To: All House members
Subject: Reciprocal Agreements Regarding Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Military Personnel and Disabled Veterans
 
In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation (House Bill 490) that would amend Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for reciprocal agreements with other states to allow certain veteran and military fishing and hunting licenses or permits to be recognized as resident licenses in any state participating in such agreements. House Bill 490 passed the House unanimously last session, but following referral, was never considered by the Senate.

Specifically, the legislation would allow the attorney general of Pennsylvania to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to recognize the following lawfully issued license or permit types as resident licenses or permits in each state, provided the attorney general has determined that the fishing and hunting laws of other states are similar to the hunting and fishing laws of the Commonwealth:
 
  • Active Duty Military Fishing Licenses
  • Active Duty Military Hunting Licenses
  • Disabled Veterans Fishing Licenses
  • Disabled Veterans Hunting Licenses

The cost savings to our valued active duty military and disabled veteran anglers and hunters would allow for more travel and increased opportunities to fish and hunt. It could also help to attract more travel to the Commonwealth from nonresident military sportsmen, resulting in a boost to our economy through the spending of additional sportsmen’s dollars here, a notion that has the full support of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.
 
Last session, House Bill 490 passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 201-0 but did not make it across the finish line in the Senate.  As the move toward “therapeutic fishing” for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) gains steam, I think now is the perfect time to revive the support this legislation received in the past.

Veterans have served all of the United States, not just one state. Their ability to enjoy the great outdoors should be enjoyed nationally with as little hindrance as possible. Please join me in support of this legislation to encourage military personnel and disabled veterans from across the country to take advantage of the numerous recreational opportunities afforded by our great state and nation.
 



Introduced as HB877


Memo Updated: March 29, 2023 02:32 PM