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Senate
Game & Fisheries Committee Reports Reports
provided by PA Legislative Services Senate Game and Fisheries The
Senate Game and Fisheries Committee met to consider two bills. HB
2563 Staback - (PN 3806) Amends Title 34
(Game) by allowing law enforcement officers or any person who possesses a
license to carry a firearm to be in possession of a firearm during any
activity regulated under Title 34. The bill states that this does not allow
hunting with this firearm unless provided for by law. - The bill was
unanimously reported as committed. Rep. Edward Staback (D-Lackawanna) explained his bill would allow
anyone with a proper permit to carry a concealed firearm while engaged in any
activity regulated by the Game Code. SB
466 Kasunic - (PN 499) Amends Title 30
(Fish) by allowing third parties to purchase "gift vouchers" for
fish and boat licenses. The bill provides details on what would have to
appear on the voucher, for what licenses it would be used, how it would be
redeemed and how refunds would be handled. - The bill was unanimously
reported as amended. A09762, by
Fontana, removes the separate refund process for vouchers so the process
would follow existing law; renames gift vouchers to license or permit
vouchers; requires additional information at purchase; leaves expiration date
to discretion of the Commission; removes limitation to only certain licenses;
provides for the purchase of permits; and changes the effective date to
December 1, 2006. The amendment was unanimously adopted. Senator Rob
Robbins (R-Mercer) asked when the vouchers would expire. Gary Moore from the
Fish and Boat Commission explained they would expire at Kimberly
Hess, PLS Senate Game and Fisheries The SENATE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE
met to consider the following bills: ·
HB 1320 Reichley - (PN 2175) Amends Title 30
(Fish) by establishing an offense of a third degree misdemeanor for anyone
who transports, possesses, sells, offers for sale, or releases snakehead fish
in PA. (Prior Printer Number: 1568) - The bill was unanimously reported as amended by A08228 (Pippy), which allows the PA Fish and Boat Commission to
identify all nonnative species of fish in addition to the snakehead fish that
will be prohibited to be sold, imported or released. ·
HB 1528 Wilt - (PN 1877) Amends Title 34 (Game) repealing provisions
providing for the licensing of taxidermists. - The bill was unanimously reported as amended by A08105 (Pippy),
which provides that any person who wants to be a taxidermist must register with
the Department of Agriculture. The annual fee of $100 remains the same. It
was noted that an agreement was reached with the Taxidermist Association for
them to register with the Department, which has diagnostic services to test
for different diseases. ·
HB 1641 Fairchild - (PN 3240) Amends Titles 30 (Fish)
and 75 (Vehicles) providing for boat and marine forfeiture; for the powers
and duties of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission with regard to boat
sale; for boat, marine equipment and watercraft trailer forfeiture; and for
the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation with regard to
watercraft trailers. (Prior Printer Number: 2026) - The bill was unanimously reported as amended by A08102 (Pippy), which was described as clarifying certain
provisions and definitions in the bill and addresses issues that have been
raised between the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Department of
Transportation to carry out the process. (Note, this bill was reported from
committee in a second meeting today held off the floor. It was held over
during the morning meeting to wait for the amendment to be drafted). Rep.
Russ stated that this bill is necessary because boat owners often leave their
boats and trailers at marinas and the only recourse the marina has is the
courts. This bill outlines a procedure to change ownership. It was noted that
the proposed amendment would limit the scope to boats worth less than $5,000
and trailers worth less than $1,000. Senator Robert Robbins (R-Mercer) asked
about the transfer timeline in the bill. Rep. Fairchild explained the process
would likely take months, as several rounds of notification must occur.
Chairman John Pippy (R-Allegheny) noted that if the
amendment is drafted in the next few days, the Committee will meet off the
floor to consider the bill. ·
HB 2090 Staback - (PN 2880) Title 34 (Game) would
be amended to allow the director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to print
publications and forms that contain advertisements. - The bill was
unanimously reported as committed.
The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee met HB 1641 Fairchild - (PN 3240) Amends Titles 30
(Fish) and 75 (Vehicles) providing for boat and marine forfeiture; for the powers
and duties of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission with regard to boat
sale; for boat, marine equipment and watercraft trailer forfeiture; and for
the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation with regard to
watercraft trailers. (Prior Printer Number: 2026) - The bill was unanimously reported
as amended. A08102, by Senator Pippy, was
described as clarifying certain provisions and definitions in the bill and
addresses issues that have been raised between the PA Fish and Boat Commission
and the PA Department of Transportation to carry out the process. The
amendment was unanimously adopted. Eric A. Failing, PLS |