Mentored trapping bill advanced; committee lowers fur-dealer permit fee in amendment and reports bill

House Bill 2365 would amend Title 34 (Game) to establish a mentored trapping program. Paul read the bill summary and an amendment (A02853) that would reduce the permit fee for resident and nonresident fur dealers to $50 per season.

Representative Mursky said the fee change is supported by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and sportsmen’s organizations and argued that falling fur prices have hurt dealers and that the estimated revenue loss to the Game Commission would be modest (he cited a $3,700 estimate based on recent permit counts). Supporters urged the committee to adopt the fee reduction to help sustain trapping activity and dealers.

Chair Maloney and other members raised questions about whether a separate mentored trapping pathway was necessary given existing youth mentoring provisions attached to combination licenses and asked for clarity about how an apprentice would transition to a license and whether hunter safety requirements would still apply. Paul answered that the bill would mirror the mentored-hunting framework and still require hunter and trapper education at the end of the mentored period.

The committee voted by voice to adopt amendment A02853; the amendment was agreed to. The committee then took a roll-call vote on the bill as amended; several members recorded no votes during roll call (including Chair Maloney and a number of members listed by the clerk), but the bill passed the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

The bill as amended provides for a mentored trapping pathway and lowers the seasonal dealer permit fee to $50; further implementation would involve the Game Commission and any required rulemaking if the bill becomes law.