Pennsylvania Bill Would Give Out-of-State Veterans Hunting and Fishing Privileges

If approved, House Bill 968 would allow out-of-state military members and disabled veterans to use their home-state hunting and fishing licenses or permits in Pennsylvania. (Photo by gpointstudio)

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a proposal that would extend hunting and fishing privileges to out-of-state active-duty military personnel and disabled veterans.

According to lehighvalleyhigh.com, Under House Bill 968, an individual’s state-issued hunting and fishing licenses or permit would be recognized as valid in their home state or in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office would need to enter into these reciprocal agreements with other states that have hunting and fishing laws similar to Pennsylvania’s.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers a reduced-cost resident military license for active and full-time duty service members in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard, as well as free disabled veteran lifetime license renewals. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission exempts certain active-duty military personnel from its fishing license requirements and offers no-cost or reduced-cost resident licenses to disabled veterans.

The state House Game & Fisheries Committee recently voted to send the bill to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

This same proposal passed the House by a vote of 201-0 during the 2023-24 legislative session but fell short of becoming law.

Bill sponsor state Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester said the cost savings to troops and veterans “would allow for more travel and increased opportunities to fish and hunt (and) could also help to attract more travel to the Commonwealth from nonresident military sportsmen, resulting in a boost to our economy.

“Veterans have served all of the United States, not just one state,” he said. “Their ability to enjoy the great outdoors should be enjoyed nationally with as little hindrance as possible.”

Game & Fisheries Republican Chairman State Rep. David Maloney Sr., of Berks County, says arguments against the bill include a loss of hunting and fishing license revenue that support the Fish and Boat and Game commissions and the additional duties of the Attorney General’s Office.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement, “This legislation is a great way of giving thanks to our veterans for their service.

“Fishing is not only a pastime enjoyed by many, but a therapeutic release for thousands of veterans. As a veteran, I would look forward to working to negotiating these reciprocity agreements, should the legislation be enacted.”

In response to the opposition, committee member State Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne, said, “You know, we always say to a veteran, ‘Thank you for your service,’” he said. “And you know, I just have a problem with the comments that people are worried about a little bit of income when you have people that are 100% disabled and currently serving our military. So sometimes we have to put a dollar figure on that ‘Thank you for your service,’ and actions speak louder than words.”