Post by pfsc on Apr 16, 2015 9:44:38 GMT -5
House Game and Fisheries Committee
4/15/15, 9:30 a.m., Room 205 Ryan Office Building
By Eric A. Failing, PLS
The committee met to consider two bills.
HB 263 Gabler, Matt - (PN 267) Amends Title 34 (Game) to allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to regulate the use of gas or air powered weapons for hunting purposes. Effective in 60 days. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
Staff indicated that this is identical to House Bill 1136 of last session, which was unanimously reported out of committee.
Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield) explained the idea behind the bill came from one of his constituents. He told the committee that in the past, the technology behind air and gas powered guns was lacking and therefore not suitable for hunting. Rep. Gabler said today’s technology has improved to the point that it now makes sense to allow the PA Game Commission to determine which models of gas and air powered guns are suitable for hunting. According to Rep. Gabler, eight states currently allow such guns to be used for hunting deer and 23 states allow them to be used for squirrel hunting. He closed stating the PA Federation of Sportsmen Clubs and the United Bowhunters of PA both support this bill.
HB 455 Keller, Mark - (PN 503) 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.
Staff explained the impetus behind this bill was a situation where a constituent was charged under this rule and fought successfully to have the arrest overturned. Staff stated that both the Court and the Game Commission agreed the provision is out of date and the Game Commission pledged never to enforce it again.
It was further explained by staff that last session Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry) introduced the same measure as HB 2199 which made it all the way to second consideration in the Senate before the session expired. Rep. Keller confirmed this was the case and added that the Game Commission agrees with this bill.
4/15/15, 9:30 a.m., Room 205 Ryan Office Building
By Eric A. Failing, PLS
The committee met to consider two bills.
HB 263 Gabler, Matt - (PN 267) Amends Title 34 (Game) to allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to regulate the use of gas or air powered weapons for hunting purposes. Effective in 60 days. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
Staff indicated that this is identical to House Bill 1136 of last session, which was unanimously reported out of committee.
Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield) explained the idea behind the bill came from one of his constituents. He told the committee that in the past, the technology behind air and gas powered guns was lacking and therefore not suitable for hunting. Rep. Gabler said today’s technology has improved to the point that it now makes sense to allow the PA Game Commission to determine which models of gas and air powered guns are suitable for hunting. According to Rep. Gabler, eight states currently allow such guns to be used for hunting deer and 23 states allow them to be used for squirrel hunting. He closed stating the PA Federation of Sportsmen Clubs and the United Bowhunters of PA both support this bill.
HB 455 Keller, Mark - (PN 503) 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.
Staff explained the impetus behind this bill was a situation where a constituent was charged under this rule and fought successfully to have the arrest overturned. Staff stated that both the Court and the Game Commission agreed the provision is out of date and the Game Commission pledged never to enforce it again.
It was further explained by staff that last session Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry) introduced the same measure as HB 2199 which made it all the way to second consideration in the Senate before the session expired. Rep. Keller confirmed this was the case and added that the Game Commission agrees with this bill.