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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2024 01:50 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 877) 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 877 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 Veteran Fishing Licenses - Disabled Veteran 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 877 passed the House of Representatives by 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. |