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House approves bill to allow Sunday hunting after debate over landowner rights and safety
Summary
House Bill 14‑31, which would lift a long‑standing Sunday hunting ban, passed the House after debate about private property, hunting seasons and trail user safety; vote was 131–72.
The Pennsylvania House voted on June 11 to pass House Bill 14‑31, which would remove the statewide prohibition on Sunday hunting and allow hunting under rules set by the Game Commission and statute.
Sponsor Representative Steele, who described becoming a hunter as an adult and said hunting supports conservation and family traditions, urged colleagues to lift what she called an “archaic blue law.” “This bill is a stated top legislative priority for both the game commission and the Farm Bureau,” Steele told the chamber.
Opponents raised concerns about private property rights, unintended consequences and recreation conflicts. Representative Baloney said the bill goes beyond a simple repeal by adding provisions that he described as creating inconsistencies and expanding opportunities that could include night or otherwise expanded hunting. Multiple outside groups weighed in: the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, the Keystone Trails Association and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation all submitted written concerns about the bill’s potential effects on hikers, birders and recreation users.
The House agreed to final passage with a roll call of yeas 131, nays 72. Supporters said the change will expand opportunities for hunters and help address crop‑damage and wildlife management. Opponents said the bill contains multiple substantive provisions that qualify as a single‑subject concern and that some elements could have unintended impacts on waterfowl and other seasons.
The bill will be sent to the Senate for further action.
