In hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions.
Summary
HB866 amends Pennsylvania’s Game Code provisions on resident license and fee exemptions for disabled veterans. Under current law, qualifying resident disabled veterans may receive a free regular hunting or furtaking license. This bill expands that benefit so eligible disabled veterans could obtain, without cost or fee, a broader set of hunting and related permits and licenses, including antlerless deer, bear, archery, muzzleloader, migratory game bird, elk, special wild turkey, and pheasant permits, in addition to regular hunting and furtaking licenses.
The bill applies to resident disabled veterans who meet existing eligibility criteria, including having a service-connected disability involving the loss or use of one or more limbs or being certified as 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and who are otherwise mentally and physically fit and meet all other Title 34 qualifications. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment. In practical terms, it would reduce or eliminate licensing costs for a broader range of hunting activities for qualifying veterans and require the Pennsylvania Game Commission and county treasurers to issue the expanded set of free licenses and permits.
Impact
HB866 would amend Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by broadening the scope of resident license and fee exemptions for disabled veterans. It would change the law from providing only a free regular hunting or furtaking license to allowing a qualifying disabled veteran to receive multiple specific hunting licenses and permits at no cost, including several species- and method-specific permits. The measure would directly affect the Pennsylvania Game Commission, county treasurers, and qualifying resident disabled veterans who hunt or trap in the Commonwealth.
Sentiment
The bill’s apparent sentiment is strongly supportive of disabled veterans and their access to hunting opportunities. Its sponsor list suggests broad bipartisan or cross-member interest in expanding benefits for veterans, and the text reflects a straightforward benefit expansion rather than a controversial policy shift. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no recorded opposition or debate to indicate broader legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s pro-veteran purpose.
Contention
The main policy question raised by the bill is the scope of the exemption: it expands free access from a single regular license to a wide range of permits, which could raise concerns about lost fee revenue or whether the benefit should extend to all specialized hunting permits. Another possible point of discussion is eligibility administration, since the exemption remains limited to disabled veterans meeting specific federal disability standards and state fitness/qualification requirements. No recorded committee debate or votes are available, so any contention is inferred from the policy change itself rather than from documented opposition.
In fishing licenses, providing for law enforcement; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees.
In fishing licenses, providing for indigenous Americans fishing licenses; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions.