Tracking List: Fish & Boat


HB91 - An Act amending the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law, in procedure, further providing for exceptions for public records.
Sponsor: Rep. Clint Owlett (R)
Summary: (PN 74) Amends the Right-to-Know Law, in procedure, further providing for exceptions for public records. Removes the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) from agencies exempted from access by a requester under the Right-to-Know law relating to a noncriminal investigation. Effective immediately.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/10/2025 
H - Introduced
01/14/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB103 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for at-risk, derelict and abandoned boats; and imposing penalties.
Sponsor: Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik (D)
Summary: (PN 1113) Amends Title 30 (Fish), adding a chapter to provide for at-risk, derelict and abandoned boats; and imposing penalties. Provides definitions. Establishes that a boat is presumed to be abandoned if the owner of the boat cannot be contacted and the boat is physically inoperable and is left unattended on waters of this commonwealth or other public property, is left unattended on or along waters of this commonwealth or other public property and does not bear a valid registration or has remained on the private property of a salvor for 30 calendar days. Stipulates that the presumption is rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence. Authorizes investigations. Requires notices within seven calendar days of the discovery of the at-risk boat, derelict boat or abandoned boat to the commission and the owner, as well as public notice. Makes editorial changes. Provides for actions by the owner within 14 calendar days of receipt of the notice. Specifies recovery costs. Adds that a person involved in the notification, investigation, recovery or storage of a boat under this chapter shall not be liable for any claim of property damage related to the boat. Provides for the development, posting and submittal of forms. Provides for nuisances. Provides rules and regulations. Effective in 180 days. (Prior PN: 82)   (PN 82) Amends Title 30 (Fish) adding a chapter to provide for at-risk, derelict and abandoned boats; and imposing penalties. Provides definitions. Outlines the qualifications for a boat to be presumed abandoned. Authorizes investigations. Requires notices to the commission and the owner, as well as public notice. Provides for actions by the owner within 10 days of receipt of the notice. Specifies recovery costs. Provides for the development, posting and submittal of forms. Provides for nuisances. Provides rules and regulations. Effective in 180 days.
Position: Support
Bill History:
01/10/2025 
H - Introduced
01/14/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
03/18/2025 
H - Meeting Scheduled - 03/24/2025, 10:00 AM - Voting Meeting (House Game and Fisheries), Room 523, Irvis Office Building
03/19/2025 
H - Discussed during informational meeting - House Game and Fisheries
03/24/2025 
H - Voted Favorably From Committee as Amended   - House Game and Fisheries
03/24/2025 
H - Reported as amended - House Game and Fisheries
03/24/2025 
H - First consideration
03/24/2025 
H - Laid on the table
HB187 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to boats and boating, further providing for registrations, licenses, permits, plates and statistics.
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R)
Summary: (PN 134) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in preliminary provisions relating to boats and boating, further providing for registrations, licenses, permits, plates and statistics. Restricts the commission from promulgating regulations or requiring a permit or other related registrations of a boat not equipped with a motor in any park, forest or waters of the commonwealth. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/14/2025 
H - Introduced
01/16/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB592 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for waterways patrolmen and employees.
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Neilson (D)
Summary: (PN 600) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), further providing for waterways patrolmen and employees. Requires each full-time waterways conservation officer, whose duty it is to enforce this title, to be classified in the same manner as members of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for purposes of compensation. Effective in 60 days.
Position: Support
Bill History:
02/12/2025 
H - Introduced
02/12/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB746 - An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for organization of commission; and, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission.
Sponsor: Rep. David M. Maloney (R)
Summary: (PN 772) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), further providing for organization of commission; and, in Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), further providing for organization of commission. Revises the composition of PFBC and PGC to establish qualifications. Requires departmental notification to sportsmen groups relating to PFBC and PGC. Provides several definitions. Applies amendments of the act to members of PFBC and PGC who, beginning on the effective date of this section, are starting a new term or are filling a vacancy due to the death, resignation or removal from office of a member. Stipulates that the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation established by Executive Order No. 2015-13, 4 Pa. Code Ch. 6 Subch. AAA has no authority to select and appoint commissioners of the PGC or PFBC. The addition of 30 Pa.C.S. § 301(a)(3)(v) and 34 Pa.C.S. § 301(a)(3)(v) are effective immediately. Sections 3 and 4 of this act are effective immediately. Section 5 is effective immediately. The remainder of this act is effective in one year.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
02/26/2025 
H - Introduced
03/03/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB763 - An Act amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for permit issuance and conditions and for enforcement orders.
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Hamm (R)
Summary: (PN 787) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for permit issuance and conditions and for enforcement orders. Prohibits the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission from having authority or jurisdiction related to stream maintenance or clearing activities. Provides that no approval or authorization from the commission is required for any stream maintenance or clearing activities. Prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection from delegating its authority related to stream maintenance or clearing activities to the commission. Provides that the commission may enforce stream maintenance or clearing activities only when there is a potential violation under 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to fish) due to a person not having a valid permit or conducting an activity that was not authorized by the permit. Prohibits the commission from finding that a stream maintenance or clearing activity violates 30 Pa.C.S. if the stream maintenance or clearing activity is general maintenance of a bridge or culvert. Prohibits the commission from enforcing a penalty for a violation under 30 Pa.C.S. until the commission contacts the department and the relevant county conservation district. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
02/27/2025 
H - Introduced
03/03/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB968 - An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, providing for active duty military fishing reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual fishing license reciprocity; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for active duty military hunting reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual hunting license reciprocity.
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pielli (D)
Summary: (PN 1049) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in fishing licenses, providing for active duty military fishing reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual fishing license reciprocity; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for active duty military hunting reciprocity and for disabled veteran annual hunting license reciprocity. Permits active duty military with a valid and lawfully issued active duty military fishing license or permit which has been issued under the laws of another state, regardless of whether a reciprocity agreement exists between the commonwealth and the state under subsection (b) to fish in any of the waters of the commonwealth or in any boundary waters. Lists conditions. Provides reciprocity.  Permits disabled veterans with a valid and lawfully issued disabled veteran annual fishing license or permit which has been issued under the laws of another state, regardless of whether a reciprocity agreement exists between the commonwealth and the state under subsection (b) to fish in any of the waters of the commonwealth or in any boundary waters. Lists conditions. Provides reciprocity. Permits active duty military with a valid and lawfully issued active military hunting license or permit which has been issued under the laws of another state, regardless of whether a reciprocity agreement exists between the commonwealth and the state under subsection (b) to hunt within the commonwealth. Lists conditions. Provides reciprocity. Permits disabled veterans with a valid and lawfully issued disabled veteran annual hunting license or permit which has been issued under the laws of another state, regardless of whether a reciprocity agreement exists between the commonwealth and the state under subsection (b) to hunt within the commonwealth. Lists conditions. Provides reciprocity. Effective in 60 days. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/19/2025 
H - Introduced
03/19/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
HB992 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for Boating Advisory Board.
Sponsor: Rep. David M. Delloso (D)
Summary: (PN 1083) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, further providing for Boating Advisory Board. Asserts the Boating Advisory Board will consist of the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources, or a designee of the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the two at-large members of the commission as described in section 301(b). Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/20/2025 
H - Introduced
03/24/2025 
H - Referred to - House Game and Fisheries
03/31/2025 
H - Meeting Scheduled - 04/08/2025, 9:00 AM - Voting Meeting (House Game and Fisheries), Room 515, Irvis Office Building
HCO37 - Pay Scale for Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Officers
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Neilson (D)
Summary: Requires that full-time Waterways Conservation Officers are compensated on the same pay scale as that of Pennsylvania State Police Officers.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/02/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
02/12/2025 
H - Introduced HB592
HCO61 - Addressing the Issue of Abandoned and Derelict Boats
Sponsor: Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik (D)
Summary: Aims to increase the penalty for abandoning a boat from a summary offense to a third-degree misdemeanor. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/02/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
01/10/2025 
H - Introduced HB103
HCO87 - Provide for Selection and Appointment of PFBC and PGC Commissioners
Sponsor: Rep. David M. Maloney (R)
Summary: Aims to amend Titles 30 (Fish and Boat Code) and 34 (Game and Wildlife Code) of the PA Consolidated Statutes to allow local sportsmen and sportswomen to be more involved in the selection of those who represent them on aquatic and wildlife resource commission boards.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/02/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
HCO361 - Non-Motor-Powered Boat Registration, Launch Permit and License Exemption (Former HB 2511)
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R)
Summary: Aims to exempt non-motor-powered boats from licensing, registration, or permitting requirements. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/06/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
01/14/2025 
H - Introduced HB187
HCO547 - Fish & Boat Commission: Right to Know
Sponsor: Rep. Clint Owlett (R)
Summary: Aims to amend the Right to Know Law, allowing the request of records created by the Fish & Boat Commission noncriminal investigations.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/12/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
01/10/2025 
H - Introduced HB91
HCO562 - Reciprocal Agreements Regarding Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Military Personnel and Disabled Veterans
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pielli (D)
Summary: Aims to amend Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for reciprocal agreements with other states to allow certain veteran and military fishing and hunting licenses or permits to be recognized as resident licenses in any state participating in such agreements. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/12/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
03/19/2025 
H - Introduced HB968
HCO717 - Reduced Hunting and Fishing License Fee for Law Enforcement
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Rigby (R)
Summary: Offers a reduced fee for hunting and fishing licenses for law enforcement, including Local Police Officers, State Troopers, and Correction Officers. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/19/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
HCO762 - Free Fishing for Persons with a Severe Physical Disability
Sponsor: Rep. Danilo Burgos (D)
Summary: Exempts persons who are paraplegic or similarly disabled in the lower extremities from obtaining a fishing license to lawfully fish in our state.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
12/19/2024 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
HCO975 - Clarifying PA Fish & Boat Commission's Authority (former HB 423)
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Hamm (R)
Summary: Specifies that the PA Fish and Boat Commission has no authority for permitting or enforcement related to stream clearing or maintenance activities, giving authority to the Department of Environmental Protection and the County Conservation Districts as appropriate.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/10/2025 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
02/27/2025 
H - Introduced HB763
HCO1371 - Designating May as Water Safety Month
Sponsor: Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R)
Summary: Resolution to designate May as "Water Safety Month."
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/29/2025 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
04/03/2025 
H - Introduced HR178
HCO1909 - Studying the Salary and Benefits of Conservation Officers
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Haddock (D)
Summary: Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the salaries and benefits of conservation officers in Pennsylvania compared to conservation officers in neighboring states.  
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/24/2025 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
HCO1935 - Sportsmen Voter Registration Act
Sponsor: Rep. David H. Rowe (R)
Summary: Aims to ensure the availability of voter registration applications any time that a hunting or fishing license is applied for.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/25/2025 
H - Cosponsor memo filed
HR178 - A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2025 as "National Water Safety Month" in Pennsylvania.
Sponsor: Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R)
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
04/03/2025 
H - Introduced
SB232 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, further providing for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war and for deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members and repealing provisions relating to reserve component of armed forces members.
Sponsor: Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R)
Summary: (PN 185) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in fishing licenses, further providing for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war and for deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members and repealing provisions relating to reserve component of armed forces members. Repeals general rules provisions for disabled veterans. Provides the disability is service-connected. Requires documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Revises eligibility requirements for a lifetime license. Includes licenses for reserve component of armed forces members. Repeals section 2707.2 of Title 30. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
02/04/2025 
S - Introduced
02/04/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate Game and Fisheries
03/28/2025 
S - Meeting Scheduled - 04/01/2025, 12:00 PM - Voting Meeting (Senate Game and Fisheries), Room 461, Main Capitol
04/01/2025 
S - Voted Favorably From Committee - Senate Game and Fisheries
04/01/2025 
S - Reported as committed  - Senate Game and Fisheries
04/01/2025 
S - First consideration
04/02/2025 
S - Second consideration
04/02/2025 
S - Re-referred to - Senate Appropriations
SB382 - An Act authorizing an easement and release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County.
Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Baker (R)
Summary: (PN 329) An Act authorizing an easement and release of Project 70 restrictions on certain land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in Overfield Township, Wyoming County. Provides description and slope assessment of the property. Effective immediately.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/06/2025 
S - Introduced
03/06/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate State Government
SB423 - An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, providing for volunteer firefighters, volunteer special fire police officers and volunteer emergency medical service technicians; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees.
Sponsor: Sen. Michele Brooks (R)
Summary: (PN 360) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in fishing licenses, providing for volunteer firefighters, volunteer special fire police officers and volunteer emergency medical service technicians; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees. Provides for an annual resident fishing license at a cost of $1 issued by the commission or a county treasurer to any person eligible for the license who provides documentation that for at least the previous 12 months the person has been a volunteer firefighter, volunteer special fire police officer or volunteer emergency medical service technician in good standing in the state. Allows the commission to promulgate regulations to implement this section. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/10/2025 
S - Introduced
03/10/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate Game and Fisheries
SB469 - An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fishing licenses, providing for law enforcement; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees.
Sponsor: Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R)
Summary: (PN 423) Amends Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game), in fishing licenses, providing for law enforcement; and, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees. Establishes a $1 fishing license fee issued to any person eligible for the license under section 2701 (relating to resident fishing licenses) who provides that the person is employed as an officer in the state. Allows the commission to promulgate regulations to implement this section. Adds definitions. Provides that law enforcement hunting licenses are issued to any person otherwise eligible for a resident hunting license in the state who provides documentation that the person is employed as an officer in the state. Adds further definitions. Provides for a $1 law enforcement hunting license fee. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/18/2025 
S - Introduced
03/18/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate Game and Fisheries
SB476 - An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to boats and boating, further providing for boating education.
Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Marie Williams (D)
Summary: (PN 431) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in preliminary provisions relating to boats and boating, further providing for boating education. Removes engine requirements and time and location options from the boating education exemptions. Strikes language regarding boating safety education materials to a person taking the boating safety course under commission duties. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/19/2025 
S - Introduced
03/19/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate Game and Fisheries
03/26/2025 
S - Discussed during public hearing - Senate Game and Fisheries
SB520 - An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 30 (Fish), 34 (Game) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and repealing provisions relating to public access; in enforcement relating to fish, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies; in enforcement relating to game, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions and for audio recording or video recording policies.
Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Baker (R)
Summary: (PN 489) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 30 (Fish), 34 (Game) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and repealing provisions relating to public access; in enforcement relating to fish, further providing for powers and duties of waterways conservation officers and deputies; in enforcement relating to game, further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers; in recordings by law enforcement officers, further providing for definitions and for audio recording or video recording policies. Redefines “oral communication” and the meaning of “law enforcement officer” in section 5702 of Title 18 and “law enforcement officer” in section 67A01 of Title 42. Authorizes deputy law enforcement officers with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC), deputy law enforcement officers with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) rangers and State Park Officers to wear body cameras. Effective in 60 days.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
03/26/2025 
S - Introduced
03/26/2025 
S - Referred to - Senate Judiciary
03/31/2025 
S - Meeting Scheduled - 04/01/2025 - Voting Meeting (Senate Judiciary), Rules Committee Conference Room
04/01/2025 
S - Voted Favorably From Committee  - Senate Judiciary
04/01/2025 
S - Reported as committed - Senate Judiciary
04/01/2025 
S - First consideration
04/02/2025 
S - Second consideration
04/02/2025 
S - Re-referred to - Senate Appropriations
SCO528 - Reducing Hunting and Fishing License Fees for Law Enforcement
Sponsor: Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R)
Summary: Offers reduced fees for hunting and fishing licenses to law enforcement officers, including local police, state troopers, and corrections officers. 
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/08/2025 
S - Cosponsor memo filed
03/18/2025 
S - Introduced SB469
SCO566 - Reduced Hunting and Fishing License Fees for Volunteer Firefighters, EMS Technicians and Special Fire Police
Sponsor: Sen. Michele Brooks (R)
Summary: Offers a reduced fee for hunting and fishing licenses for volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical service technicians, and volunteer special fire police officers.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/09/2025 
S - Cosponsor memo filed
03/10/2025 
S - Introduced SB423
SCO693 - Updating Personal Watercraft Safety Requirements in Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Marie Williams (D)
Summary:  Amends the State’s boating safety requirements to better align with federal regulations by modernizing its requirements around registration, safety education certificates, life jackets, and more.
Position: No position selected.
Bill History:
01/27/2025 
S - Cosponsor memo filed
03/19/2025 
S - Introduced SB476
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