An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, providing for active duty military fishing reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual fi . . .shing license reciprocity; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for active duty military hunting reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual hunting license reciprocity.
Summary
HB 968 would create new reciprocity provisions in Pennsylvania law for certain out-of-state military and veteran hunting and fishing licenses. In Title 30 (Fish), it allows a person with a valid active duty military fishing license or a disabled veteran annual fishing license issued by another state to fish in Pennsylvania waters, including boundary waters, if the other state offers a comparable reciprocal privilege and the Pennsylvania Attorney General determines the other state’s fishing laws are similar to Pennsylvania’s. In Title 34 (Game), it creates parallel rules for hunting, allowing holders of out-of-state active duty military hunting licenses and disabled veteran annual hunting licenses to hunt in Pennsylvania under the same general conditions.
The bill also gives the Attorney General authority and responsibility to negotiate reciprocity agreements with other states, recognize qualifying out-of-state licenses, and report to the General Assembly within 180 days after the effective date and annually thereafter on agreements reached. The measure does not broadly eliminate licensing requirements; rather, it creates targeted exceptions for qualifying military and disabled veteran license holders from states that extend similar privileges to Pennsylvania residents.
The bill’s impact on state law is to amend Titles 30 and 34 by adding new sections that expand who may legally fish and hunt in Pennsylvania without obtaining a Pennsylvania license, subject to reciprocity and similarity determinations. It affects the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission licensing framework indirectly by creating new categories of recognized out-of-state credentials and by placing implementation and reciprocity oversight with the Attorney General.
The general sentiment reflected in the voting history is strongly favorable and noncontroversial. The bill advanced unanimously in the House Game and Fisheries Committee, was re-reported unanimously by House Appropriations, and passed the House by a 203-0 vote. No committee transcript or recorded opposition is provided, suggesting broad bipartisan support for the measure.
No major points of contention are evident in the available record. Any potential issues would likely center on the Attorney General’s role in determining whether other states’ laws are sufficiently similar and whether reciprocity agreements are practical to negotiate, but no lawmakers or stakeholders are shown raising objections in the materials provided.
Impact
HB 968 amends Pennsylvania’s fish and game statutes to authorize reciprocal recognition of out-of-state active duty military and disabled veteran annual fishing and hunting licenses, conditioned on comparable privileges being offered by the other state and a similarity determination by the Attorney General. It creates new statutory exceptions to existing resident and license-exemption rules, expands lawful access to hunting and fishing for qualifying nonresidents, and requires periodic reporting to the General Assembly on reciprocity agreements.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received overwhelmingly positive and bipartisan support. It was reported unanimously from the House Game and Fisheries Committee, re-reported unanimously by House Appropriations, and passed the House without any dissenting votes. The available record shows no organized opposition or negative discussion.
Contention
No notable contention is reflected in the provided materials. The only likely policy questions involve the scope of the Attorney General’s discretion to determine whether another state’s laws are similar enough for reciprocity and how quickly agreements can be negotiated, but the voting record suggests these issues did not generate opposition. The bill’s focus on active duty military personnel and disabled veterans likely contributed to its broad support.
In fishing licenses, providing for indigenous Americans fishing licenses; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions.
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.
Authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for disabled veterans and individuals with certain types of military service.