Pennsylvania HR 218: A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2017 as "School Library Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1554
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 218
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HADDOCK, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, SANCHEZ,
PROBST, STEELE, NEILSON, BOROWSKI, O'MARA AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
APRIL 30, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, APRIL 30, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study and issue a report on the compensation and
benefits packages given to game wardens, waterways
conservation officers and Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources rangers.
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's natural environment is a key source
of recreation for the residents of this Commonwealth and
attracts visitors from other states; and
WHEREAS, Within State government, the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources each hire full-
time officers tasked with the conservation of this environment
and the species that live within it; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Game Commission hires game wardens
to ensure compliance with State hunting laws and regulations and
the protection of wildlife; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission hires
waterways conservation officers to ensure compliance with State
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fishing laws and regulations and the protection of marine life;
and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources hires rangers to ensure compliance with State
laws and regulations relating to State parks and forests and to
assist and educate visitors; and
WHEREAS, To serve in any of these positions, an individual
must complete a structured law enforcement training program,
including a physical fitness assessment, and must demonstrate
proficiency in relevant State laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, Despite being classified as law enforcement
officers, conservation officers earn salaries and hourly wages
significantly lower than other Pennsylvania law enforcement
officers; and
WHEREAS, Under the current pay scales for a 40-hour workweek,
game wardens have a starting annual salary of $52,932, waterways
conservation officers have a starting annual salary of $48,196
and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers
have a starting annual salary of $45,859; and
WHEREAS, Comparatively, members of the Pennsylvania State
Police currently have a starting annual salary of $66,911; and
WHEREAS, Conservation officer positions have seen hiring
shortages in recent years, with the Pennsylvania Game Commission
and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lowering
qualification standards in response; and
WHEREAS, The lower salaries of conservation officers relative
to other law enforcement positions in Pennsylvania and
comparable positions in other states have contributed to
staffing shortages; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interests of the Commonwealth to
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evaluate the compensation of conservation officers as compared
to conservation officers in other states and other State law
enforcement positions to determine whether pay increases and
other changes should be made; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives seeks to ensure that
the agencies authorized to protect and conserve the wildlife and
natural environment of this Commonwealth are properly equipped;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on
the compensation and benefits packages given to game wardens,
waterways conservation officers and Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources rangers, including a comparison with
similar positions in neighboring states and other Pennsylvania
law enforcement positions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study contain the following information:
(1) The salaries of State game wardens and waterways
conservation officers and Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources rangers in comparison to similar positions
in neighboring states and other Pennsylvania law enforcement
positions.
(2) The scope of duties of State game wardens and
waterways conservation officers and Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources rangers in comparison to
similar positions in neighboring states and other
Pennsylvania law enforcement positions.
(3) The value and contents of the benefits packages
given to State game wardens and waterways conservation
officers and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
rangers in comparison to the benefits packages given to
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similar positions in neighboring states and other
Pennsylvania law enforcement positions.
(4) Policy recommendations for the House of
Representatives relating to Pennsylvania conservation
officers' compensation and bene