An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection of property and waters, further providing for restrictions on transport, sale, importation or release of nonnative injurious fish; and, in game or wildlife protection, further providing for unlawful importation of game or wildlife.
HB 159 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen penalties for illegally transporting, selling, importing, or releasing nonnative fish and wildlife. It directly affects individuals, businesses, or organizations handling nonnative species, including pet trade sellers, anglers, and conservation groups. The bill increases misdemeanor penalties: violations involving non-native fish become third-degree misdemeanors for negligence or first-degree for intentional acts, while violations with endangered/threatened species escalate to second-degree (negligent/intentional) misdemeanors. It clarifies that each animal, egg, or fish involved in a violation counts as a separate offense, intensifying consequences for repeated or large-scale violations. The changes aim to better protect Pennsylvania's ecosystems and native species from invasive threats.
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Last action Mar 24, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 24, 2025
How they voted
25–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 26
Mar 24, 2025
D
Democratic14
100% Yea
R
Republican12
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 24, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (25-0-1)
house
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Game & Fisheries
lower
1 primary · 14 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Abby Major
RRepublican
Co
Brian Smith
RRepublican
Co
Joe Hogan
RRepublican
Co
Joe Hohenstein
DDemocratic
Co
Kristine Howard
DDemocratic
Co
Lee James
RRepublican
Co
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
Co
Mark Gillen
RRepublican
Co
Mary Jo Daley
DDemocratic
Co
Melissa Shusterman
DDemocratic
Co
Michael Stender
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 159
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 159. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline