Game and Fisheries

This bill amends Pennsylvania's game laws to clarify that hunting or taking wildlife without a personally signed license is unlawful. It reinforces the requirement that individuals must carry their valid license on their person while hunting or furtaking within the state. The legislation also specifies that this rule applies regardless of the method or device used to hunt. These changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

This bill designates the week of May 16 through 22, 2026, as "National Safe Boating Week" in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of safety on the state's waterways. It directly affects all boaters, including those using powerboats and personal watercraft, by encouraging them to review safety rules such as wearing life jackets and avoiding alcohol. The resolution does not change any laws or create new requirements but serves as a symbolic reminder of existing safety standards and available educational resources. By promoting these practices, the bill aims to raise public awareness about the risks of boating and the steps needed to prevent accidents.

This Pennsylvania bill expands rules against hunting and trapping by explicitly banning the use of devices that involve beating game or wildlife. It also strengthens license penalties by allowing officials to revoke hunting or trapping privileges for specific serious violations, including the new beating prohibition, hunting while intoxicated, entering safety zones, damaging property, shooting at people, and failing to assist after an incident. Additionally, the law permits license revocation for individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals in Pennsylvania or similar offenses in other states. The commission retains the authority to set the specific duration for any license revocations.

SB 469 provides $1 annual fishing and hunting licenses for eligible law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania. It directly affects officers employed by defined law enforcement agencies (including campus police, airport authorities, railroad police, and county park forces) who qualify for resident licenses. The bill creates a $1 fee for both fishing licenses (under Title 30) and hunting licenses (under Title 34), replacing standard fees for these officers. Key provisions define "law enforcement agency" broadly and specify that officers must provide employment documentation to qualify. The policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

This bill creates a new hunting license called the "Native Pennsylvanian Annual License" for people who were born in Pennsylvania or have a living parent currently living in the state. These individuals, who currently live outside of Pennsylvania, would be able to purchase this license at the same price as a standard resident license. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of their birthplace or their parent's address along with a valid photo ID. The new license would be identical to regular resident licenses but would not include lifetime options.