In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would authorize the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to establish and maintain classifications of hunting and trapping licenses and the fees for each license classification. Currently, license classifications and fees are established by statute under Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
 
Under my proposed legislation, changes to license classifications and fees would be established by regulation and approved by the PGC’s Board of Commissioners following a rigorous and transparent process, in which the PGC would be required to provide notice of the proposed change in accordance with the Commonwealth Documents Law, hold at least one public hearing, and review and consider public comment prior to voting on final adoption. Both the Senate and House Game and Fisheries Committees would then review the proposed changes and either committee may report a concurrent resolution recommending disapproval to the General Assembly before the changes could take effect. In addition, while this legislation would provide the commission with the authority to establish license and permit fees, it would also set the cost of the junior resident hunting license at $2, and the junior resident combination hunting and furtaker license at $5.
 
It is important to note that Title 34 directs the PGC to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Game and Fisheries and Appropriations Committees, and the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit of the PGC every three years. Further, members of the PGC Board of Commissioners are subject to Senate confirmation. I believe that these checks and balances, coupled with a lengthy regulatory process that is subject to legislative review, provides the General Assembly with the opportunity to ensure the responsible implementation of this authority.
 
Similar legislation, Act No. 129 of 2024, was enacted and provided the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission with the authority to establish license and permit fees.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to give the PGC the flexibility it needs to adequately serve Pennsylvania’s hunter, trappers, and wildlife enthusiasts through its independently funded conservation work.