Post by melody on Jun 26, 2014 21:18:02 GMT -5
Senate Game and Fisheries Committee
6/26/14, 10:30 a.m., Room 461 Main Capitol
By Kimberly Hess
The committee met to consider bills.
HB 2178 Moul, Dan - (PN 3720) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in enforcement, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies and for powers and duties of enforcement officers. The bill provides an exception to the prohibition of interception and disclosure of communications for waterways conservation officers and wildlife enforcement officers. Eligible officers may wear body cameras in the performance of their official duties. The bill does not apply to deputies. Effective in 60 days. (Prior Printer Number: 3378, 3437) - The bill was unanimously reported as amended.
Chairman Rich Alloway (R-Franklin) said the bill will help conservation officers in the field.
A08120 by Alloway, narrows the required training to just the use of body cameras. Training would be approved by the Pennsylvania State Police. The amendment was unanimously adopted.
Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer) asked what a body camera looks like and where it would be located. A representative of the Game Commission held up a camera, which he said was the same type as those already purchased by the commissioner, and indicated it would be located on the officer's chest. He further explained that recent changes to the Wiretap Law gave law enforcement officers the authority to use such cameras and conservation officers are looking for the same authority.
HB 2199 Keller, Mark - (PN 3425) Amends Title 34 (Game) further providing for unlawful activities by removing the prohibition on refusing to answer certain questions of the commission regarding animals. Effective in 60 days. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
Chairman Alloway explained the bill aligns the law with a recent court decision regarding self-incrimination.
6/26/14, 10:30 a.m., Room 461 Main Capitol
By Kimberly Hess
The committee met to consider bills.
HB 2178 Moul, Dan - (PN 3720) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in enforcement, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies and for powers and duties of enforcement officers. The bill provides an exception to the prohibition of interception and disclosure of communications for waterways conservation officers and wildlife enforcement officers. Eligible officers may wear body cameras in the performance of their official duties. The bill does not apply to deputies. Effective in 60 days. (Prior Printer Number: 3378, 3437) - The bill was unanimously reported as amended.
Chairman Rich Alloway (R-Franklin) said the bill will help conservation officers in the field.
A08120 by Alloway, narrows the required training to just the use of body cameras. Training would be approved by the Pennsylvania State Police. The amendment was unanimously adopted.
Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer) asked what a body camera looks like and where it would be located. A representative of the Game Commission held up a camera, which he said was the same type as those already purchased by the commissioner, and indicated it would be located on the officer's chest. He further explained that recent changes to the Wiretap Law gave law enforcement officers the authority to use such cameras and conservation officers are looking for the same authority.
HB 2199 Keller, Mark - (PN 3425) Amends Title 34 (Game) further providing for unlawful activities by removing the prohibition on refusing to answer certain questions of the commission regarding animals. Effective in 60 days. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
Chairman Alloway explained the bill aligns the law with a recent court decision regarding self-incrimination.