Pennsylvania SB 303: An Act making appropriations from the State Employees' Retirement Fund and from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 237
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 303
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY COLEMAN, FEBRUARY 25, 2025
REFERRED TO GAME AND FISHERIES, FEBRUARY 25, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for
definitions; in hunting and furtaking, further providing for
unlawful devices and methods and for restrictions on
recreational spotlighting; in special licenses and permits,
providing for game or wildlife recovery permits; and imposing
penalties.
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
used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Small unmanned aircraft." An unmanned aircraft weighing
less than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached
to or carried by the aircraft.
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"Small unmanned aircraft system." A small unmanned aircraft
and the equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation
of the aircraft.
* * *
"Unmanned aircraft." An aircraft or aerial vehicle that is
operated without the possibility of direct human intervention
from within or on the aircraft or vehicle.
* * *
Section 2. Section 2308(a)(7) of Title 34 is amended by
adding a subparagraph to read:
§ 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this
title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet,
assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use
of:
* * *
(7) A vehicle or conveyance of any kind or its
attachment propelled by other than manpower. Nothing in this
subsection shall pertain to any of the following:
* * *
(iii) A small unmanned aircraft system if the
operator has been issued a wildlife recovery permit
granted by the commission and the small unmanned aircraft
system is used solely by the permittee for the recovery
of harvested wildlife when no firearm or implement of
taking is possessed by any participant involved in the
recovery. This subparagraph shall not be construed to
authorize the hunting of any live game or wildlife
observed or located through the use of an unmanned
aircraft system if a period of less than 24 hours has
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elapsed since the most recent observation or location
event through the use of a small unmanned aircraft.
* * *
Section 3. Section 2311(a) of Title 34 is amended and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 2311. Restrictions on recreational spotlighting.
(a) Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful for any person to cast or
to assist any other person in casting the rays of a spotlight,
vehicle headlight or any other artificial light of any kind from
any vehicle, watercraft, airborne craft or any attachment to
such vehicles or crafts:
(1) Upon any building at any time.
(2) In any manner which frightens, excites or harasses
any livestock, poultry or other farm animal.
(3) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or
wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth, other than
specified in paragraph (4), daily between the hours of 11
p.m. and sunrise on the following day.
(4) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or
wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth at any time during
the antlered deer rifle season and during the antlerless deer
rifle season.
(5) Upon photoelectric cell lights.
[The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if it is
proven that the headlights of a vehicle or conveyance were being
used while traveling on a roadway in the usual way.]
(a.1) Exceptions.--The provisions of this section shall not
apply to the use of:
(1) The headlights of a vehicle or conveyance traveling
on a roadway in the normal manner associated with traveling
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at night or during inclement weather.
(2) A spotlight mounted to a small unmanned aircraft
system if the operator has been granted a wildlife recovery
permit issued by the commission and the vehicle is used
solely for the recovery of harvested wildlife when no firearm
or implement of taking is possessed by any participant
involved in the recovery. This paragraph shall not be
construed to authorize the hunting of any live game or
wildlife observed or located through the use of an unmanned
aircraft if a period of less than 24 hours has elapsed since
the most recent observation or location event through the use
of a small unmanned aircraft.
* * *
Section 4. Chapter 29 of Ti