Game and Fisheries Committee Adopts Measures to Change Terms of Game, Fish-Boat Commissioners

HARRISBURG – The House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), approved four bills today, including two that impact the terms of service for board members of the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission.

House Bill 828, sponsored by Causer, and House Bill 798, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), would reduce the length of the terms of service for board members of the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission from eight years to four years. It also would allow them to serve multiple terms with appointment by the governor and approval of the Senate.

“These proposals are about bringing more accountability to the work of the commissioners for the benefit of sportsmen, anglers and boaters,” Causer said. “It also provides more flexibility for the governor and lawmakers by providing the option to appoint a commissioner to multiple, consecutive terms of office.”

Under current law, the term of office for commissioners of both agencies is eight years. A commissioner may serve up to an additional six months when a replacement has not been appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. A member who fills a vacancy of less than four years is eligible for reappointment to a full term. A member who serves a full eight-year term, or fills a vacancy for more than four years, is not eligible for reappointment for a period of eight years. House Bills 798 and 828 remove these specific limitations on service, allowing for multiple four-year terms of continuous service. Vacancies may still be filled for partial terms.

The committee also approved the following bills:

·         House Bill 891, sponsored by Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne), will allow properly permitted Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators to check traps remotely by electronic means.

·         Senate Bill 623, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre/Juniata/Mifflin/Perry/Union), aims to encourage more participation in hunting by allowing the Game Commission to offer mentored hunting programs to people of various ages, rather than only youths under age 12. The bill was amended in committee to specify that a mentored hunter may only participate in the program for up to three licensing seasons. If the person wishes to continue hunting after that time, he or she would have to obtain a hunting license.

The bills now go to the full House for consideration.