Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Veterans License Reciprocity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to recognize out‑of‑state military and disabled‑veteran hunting and fishing licenses
Summary
House Bill 968, which would amend Title 30 and Title 34 to allow recognition of out‑of‑state active‑duty military and disabled‑veteran hunting and fishing licenses when a reciprocal agreement exists, was reported from the House Game and Fisheries Committee.
House Bill 968, which would amend Title 30 and Title 34 to allow persons holding a valid active‑duty military or disabled‑veteran fishing or hunting license issued by another state to hunt or fish in the Commonwealth when that state has a reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania, was reported from the House Game and Fisheries Committee without negative votes.
Paul, a committee staff member, read the bill summary to the committee, saying the measure would "amend title 30 and title 34 to provide that any person who possesses a valid active duty military fishing or hunting license or disabled veteran license in another state may fish or hunt in the Commonwealth if that state is entered into reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania." He also said the bill would task the attorney general with negotiating and entering reciprocal agreements where appropriate.
Chair Maloney voiced support for outreach to veterans but raised fiscal and administrative concerns: some committee members, he said, have reported that reciprocity programs can reduce license revenue and shift enforcement or administrative costs to particular agencies. He also noted reports that the Attorney General’s office has not publicly embraced responsibility for negotiating reciprocal agreements and that the office’s willingness to participate could affect implementation.
Representative Haddock asked how many states offer comparable free or discounted licenses for veterans and active‑duty service members. Paul replied that Pennsylvania currently does not have reciprocity agreements, and gave examples of states with similar programs, naming Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. Griffin added committee research showing about 30 states offer free licenses or exemptions for veterans and 19 states provide discounted licenses, and said he could supply a state‑by‑state breakdown.
On the question to report the bill, the chair said there were no negative votes and the committee reported HB968 from committee. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or any amendments at this meeting.
