The House Game and Fisheries Committee reported House Bill 961 (printer's number 1038), a measure revising Title 30 (Fish) to require clearer marking of run‑of‑the‑river dams, tighter compliance timelines for owners, and annual sharing of dam lists between the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).

Paul read the bill summary. Sponsor Representative Mihalik Griffin said the bill was inspired by a May 2022 drowning in New Hope (a constituent, John Gentile) and argued that improved signage and better coordination between DEP (which assesses structural safety) and PFBC (which observes on‑the‑water hazards) could save lives. She said some dams are not on DEP lists and therefore lack signage and that PFBC officers’ field knowledge can identify hazards DEP data misses.

Chair Maloney offered amendment A02142, which reduces compliance timelines for dam owners to install and maintain safety signage, requires DEP to compile and share a list of run‑of‑the‑river dams with PFBC at least annually or on request, mandates maps and lists be posted publicly on both DEP and PFBC websites, and expands the statutory definition of run‑of‑the‑river dams to include structures that are partially across waterways or partially submerged. The amendment was agreed to by the committee.

Members asked about agency positions, enforcement costs and penalties, and whether the bill provided resources for compliance. Sponsor and staff said the Fish and Boat Commission helped draft the amendment and that fines are included for noncompliance; no representative from DEP is recorded speaking in the transcript. Representatives praised the sponsor's advocacy; several recounted personal or local experiences with dangerous low‑head dams. Representative Steele said the bill will help keep people on rivers safe and pledged a yes vote. The committee recorded no negative votes and reported the bill as amended.

Implementation details — including the precise compliance timelines, penalty amounts, and whether additional appropriations will be required — were discussed in general terms but not specified in the transcript. The committee directed the bill to be reported out with the adopted amendment for consideration on the House floor and Senate follow‑up.