Posted: | May 8, 2018 01:23 PM |
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From: | Senator Daniel Laughlin |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Removing Sunday Hunting Prohibition/Game Commission Trespass Enforcement |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would authorize the Game Commission to allow for hunting on Sundays. Currently, this prohibition is the only game management decision that the legislature has put into statute. This language would change that by leaving all hunting management decisions to the Game Commission. In addition, my legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Game Code to address the offense of trespass while hunting. It would make the violation a primary offense as well as increase the penalties. By amending the Game Code, it makes the language similar to that of Agricultural Trespass in the Crimes Code, but with more suitable summary and misdemeanor penalties. Also, by making trespassing while hunting a primary offense, it will be enforceable by Wildlife Conservation Officers, as well as other law enforcement. I believe this is a good compromise between the Sunday hunting advocates and the Farm Bureau. There will be some added costs to the Game Commission for increased enforcement responsibilities and by removing the Sunday hunting prohibition language the Commission can recoup those losses. Please join me in supporting this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB1202