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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 2, 2014 04:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jesse Topper |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Responsibilities for Removal of Road Killed Deer from Commonwealth Roadways |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation that seeks to amend Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code), and Title 75 (Vehicles) of the PA Consolidated Statutes to place in statute the responsibilities for removal of road killed deer from Commonwealth roadways. It is my understanding that currently the responsibility for removal of road killed deer remaining on the roadway lies with the entity that controls the roadway in question, although there are no specific requirements in statute. For state controlled roadways, that entity is the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT). For local or non-state roadways, the responsibility lies with the local municipality. Many municipalities will contract with a private company or individual to remove deer. Strangely enough, the PA Game Commission (PGC) currently has no responsibility in this regard. However, the PGC does lend a hand at times to remove deer if they have the personnel available. With local and state budgets getting tighter and municipalities cutting spending, this is one function of government that has been cut in some areas of the state. Most constituents do not know who to call to report road killed deer, and there is even confusion among the state agencies on the issue. I believe it is finally time to define in statute whose responsibility it actually is to remove these deer from our roadways. Under my legislation, the PGC would be responsible to remove road killed deer from all roadways except those under the jurisdiction of PennDOT within 48 hours of notification. For PennDOT controlled roadways, the responsibility would continue to lie with PennDOT, and they would be required to remove deer within 48 hours of notification. PennDOT would also be required to properly dispose of the carcasses under the guidance of the PGC. Local municipalities would then no longer have to deal with removal of road killed deer. As elected officials, many of us receive calls and complaints about road killed deer not being picked up on a regular basis. I believe this proposal would once and for all properly address the problems and responsibilities related to dealing with road killed deer. Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB2442