During a recent meeting of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, several significant pieces of legislation were discussed, focusing on environmental safety, wildlife management, and the welfare of game commission officers.

The committee unanimously passed House Bill 2531, sponsored by Representative Kulick, which aims to address the growing issue of abandoned boats in Pennsylvania's rivers and streams. This legislation will amend the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to create a new chapter specifically targeting boats that pose environmental hazards or public safety concerns. Kulick emphasized the burden these abandoned vessels place on municipalities and thanked the Fish and Boat Commission for their collaboration on the bill.

Another bill, House Bill 1858, sponsored by Representative Deloso, was also approved. This legislation modifies the composition of the Boating Advisory Board to include the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and two at-large members from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The bill aims to better reflect the interests of the voting public by removing certain existing requirements for board membership.

House Bill 1894, introduced by Representative Major, seeks to increase penalties for the negligent or intentional release of non-native or exotic wildlife. The bill raises the offense from a third-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor, responding to incidents in which pet alligators were released into local rivers, creating safety concerns for residents and wildlife alike. Major highlighted the potential dangers posed by such releases, citing specific incidents that occurred last summer, including alligators surprising kayakers and causing disruptions in local ecosystems.

Finally, House Bill 2583, also sponsored by Deloso, aims to align the compensation of Pennsylvania Game Commission officers with that of state police officers. Deloso noted the challenges in retaining qualified personnel due to compensation disparities, emphasizing the dangerous nature of the job and the need for fair pay to attract and keep skilled officers. The bill is intended to address these issues without interfering with the collective bargaining process.

All bills discussed received unanimous support from the committee, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing public safety, environmental protection, and the welfare of wildlife officers in Pennsylvania.