1Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
2investigate the financial feasibility, impact, costs and
3savings potential of eliminating duplicated duties and
4services by combining the Pennsylvania Game Commission and
5the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to create a new
6independent agency responsible for managing the fish and
7wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

8WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation to have
9separate, independently funded game and fish commissions; and

10WHEREAS, Both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the
11Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission expect to experience a
12shortage of operating and reserve funds in the near future; and

13WHEREAS, The public demands on the fish and wildlife
14resources of this Commonwealth are increasing; and

15WHEREAS, Both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the
16Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission anticipate the need to
17increase revenues in the future or severely curtail programs;
18and

19WHEREAS, The sportsmen and sportswomen of this Commonwealth
20deserve to receive the greatest benefit in programs for every

1dollar expended; therefore be it

2RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
3investigate the financial feasibility, impact, costs and savings
4potential of eliminating duplicated duties and services by
5combining the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania
6Fish and Boat Commission to create a new independent agency
7responsible for managing the fish and wildlife resources of this
8Commonwealth; and be it further

9RESOLVED, That the committee explore a broad range of options
10with regard to how to structure our fish and wildlife agencies
11to best manage the fish and wildlife resources of this
12Commonwealth; and be it further

13RESOLVED, That the committee study current and future funding
14trends and investigate various options of funding, including
15public funding, to determine which would provide the fish and
16wildlife agencies of this Commonwealth with adequate funding;
17and be it further

18RESOLVED, That the committee have the power to hold public
19hearings as it shall deem necessary; and be it further

20RESOLVED, That the committee report to the Game and Fisheries
21Committee of the House of Representatives on its findings and
22recommendations within 180 days of the adoption of this
23resolution.