Pennsylvania HB 851: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission, providing for prohibition and further providing for accountability; in hunting and furtaking, repealing provisions relating to hunting on Sunday prohibited, providing for temporary Sunday hunting authorized and for hunting and training on Sunday, repealing provisions relating to trespass on private property while hunting and to hunting on Sunday without written permission, providing for the offense of trespass on private land while hunting or furtaking and for the offense of hunting, trapping or taking game or wildlife without written permission and further providing for training dogs on small game; in special licenses and permits, further providing for field dog trials; imposing penalties; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 881
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 851
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STEELE, PROBST, GIRAL, HADDOCK, PIELLI, KHAN,
HILL-EVANS, WEBSTER AND GREEN, MARCH 10, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, MARCH 10, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for
definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further
providing for organization of commission, providing for
prohibition and further providing for accountability; in
hunting and furtaking, repealing provisions relating to
hunting on Sunday prohibited, providing for temporary Sunday
hunting authorized and for hunting and training on Sunday,
repealing provisions relating to trespass on private property
while hunting and to hunting on Sunday without written
permission, providing for the offense of trespass on private
land while hunting or furtaking and for the offense of
hunting, trapping or taking game or wildlife without written
permission and further providing for training dogs on small
game; in special licenses and permits, further providing for
field dog trials; imposing penalties; and making an editorial
change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 102 of Title 34 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
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used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Lobbying." As defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03 (relating to
definitions).
"Lobbying firm." As defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03.
"Lobbyist." As defined in 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A03.
* * *
Section 2. Section 301(a) of Title 34 is amended and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 301. Organization of commission.
(a) Composition.--[The] Subject to subsection (b.1), the
independent administrative commission known as the Pennsylvania
Game Commission shall consist of nine competent citizens of this
Commonwealth who shall be well informed on the subject of
wildlife conservation and restoration and who shall be appointed
by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of a
majority of the elected members of the Senate.
* * *
(b.1) Additional consideration.--The Governor shall ensure
that at least one member of the commission is:
(1) knowledgeable in the area of wildlife management;
and
(2) actively engaged in a normal agricultural operation,
as defined in section 2 of the act of June 10, 1982 (P.L.454,
No.133), referred to as the Right-to-Farm Law.
* * *
Section 3. Title 34 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 305. Prohibition.
The commission may not hire or be represented by a lobbyist,
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lobbying firm or political consultant to engage in lobbying or
otherwise influence the decision-making process of another
Commonwealth entity or agency, including the General Assembly or
a member of the General Assembly. A violation of this subsection
shall be deemed to be a violation of 65 Pa.C.S. § 13A07
(relating to prohibited activities).
Section 4. Section 328 heading and (a) of Title 34 is
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
§ 328. Accountability and ethics.
(a) Relationship with public.--The commission shall
implement policies and programs to improve its relationship with
the general public and with its licensees in accordance with its
strategic plan. The policies and programs under this subsection
shall incorporate the ethics policy under subsection (g).
* * *
(g) Ethics policy.--The commission shall adopt and
periodically review an ethics policy applicable to members of
the commission, the director and employees of the commission,
which shall include material about the ethical obligations under
State law and to emphasize the importance for members of the
commission, the director and employees of the commission, to
maintain respect for sportsmen in this Commonwealth.
Section 5. Section 522(b)(2) of Title 34 is amended to read:
§ 522. Appropriation and audit of moneys.
* * *
(b) Audit and report.--
* * *
(2) No later than January 31 of each year the commission
through its executive director shall submit an annual written
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report to the Game and Fisheries Committee and the
Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the Game and
Fisheries Committee and the Appropriations Committee of the
House of Representatives which shall include the complete
budget for the current fiscal year and for the next fiscal
year