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Committee advances bill increasing penalties for negligent or intentional release of exotic animals after river alligator incidents
Summary
House Bill 159, sponsored by Representative Major, was reported from the House Game and Fisheries Committee; the bill raises penalties for negligent or intentional release of nonnative or injurious fish and other exotic animals and increases penalties for unlawful importation of endangered or threatened wildlife.
The House Game and Fisheries Committee reported House Bill 159 from committee after a discussion led by the bill’s sponsor, Representative Major. The measure would amend Title 30 and Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to increase criminal penalties for negligent or intentional release of exotic animals into the wild and to raise penalties for unlawful importation of endangered or threatened wildlife.
Representative Major, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee that her 60th District has experienced multiple incidents involving released exotic animals. She described multiple alligator sightings in the Kiski Manitou River — including one animal nicknamed “Chomper” that was captured after approaching kayakers and another, “Neo,” that survived a winter and was later turned over to police — and said “all known escaped alligators have been captured in the Sixtieth District and delivered to Nate’s Reptile Rescue in Allegheny County.” She also described repeated deliberate releases at a mink farm in Northumberland County that freed thousands of mink in separate incidents, leading to many animal deaths, and told the committee those incidents informed the bill.
The bill would amend Title 30, specifically section 2508 addressing restrictions on transport, sale, importation or lease of nonnative and injurious fish, to establish a first‑degree misdemeanor for individuals who negligently or intentionally violate the section. It would also amend Title 34, section 2163, unlawful importation of game or wildlife, to increase penalties involving endangered or threatened species from a misdemeanor to a second‑degree misdemeanor, the bill text as explained to the committee says.
A co‑sponsoring representative told the committee that, while generally hesitant to increase criminal penalties, he supported stiffer penalties in this case because the conduct involves people who would understand the consequences of releasing dangerous or nonnative animals. Committee chair comments stressed the bill is intended to target intentional releases and bad actors while acknowledging that some releases may result from accidents or flooding; the chair said the change is “about the intent.”
The transcript records no committee roll‑call tallies. The chair announced there were no negative votes and House Bill 159 was reported from the House Game and Fisheries Committee.
Background and next steps: The sponsor asked that the bill be advanced to the full House; committee members expressed support and noted the bill aims to increase public safety and protect wildlife and ecosystems. The transcript did not record specific enforcement details, funding for response or licensing changes.
