HARRISBURG - (06/06/07, 9:00 a.m., Room 60, East Wing)
The House Game and Fisheries Committee met to consider three bills.
HB 1116 Kortz - (PN 1345) Amends Title 34 (Game) by stating that the commission would make available gift vouchers that may be purchased on behalf of a third party. The gift voucher would be on a form designed by the commission and made available to all issuing agents. The gift voucher may only be redeemed for the class of license indicated on the gift voucher and for which the applicable fee has been paid by the gift voucher purchaser. Gift vouchers would only be redeemable for a period of one year from the date of issuance and would be issued only for certain classes of licenses. The bill also provides for obtaining a refund for a gift voucher. - The bill was unanimously reported as amended.
A00879 by Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) was described as rewriting the bill, removing refunds, and taking the name of the purchaser off of gift vouchers. The amendment was unanimously adopted.
Rep. Kortz stated the intent of this bill is similar in nature to the current practice of the PA Fish and Boat Commission. He acknowledged that while the PA Game Commission indicated that they wanted to wait until their Point of Sale (POS) system is implemented, he is concerned this would delay the ability to sell gift vouchers for too long.
Chairman Edward Staback (D-Lackawanna) asked if the Game Commission is in support of this amendment. A representative from the Game Commission stated they are.
Rep. Mark Keller (R-Franklin) asked if there are any provisions to prevent vouchers from being used by individuals who have lost their license privileges. Rep. Kortz explained that the redeemer of a voucher would still have to present positive identification and proof that they have passed a hunter safety course.
Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria) wondered if issuing agents would be required to use the new gift vouchers. He worried that the issuing agents in his district might be upset because this is just additional paperwork on top of everything else they are required to do. Rep. Kortz stated he would like to see all agents selling vouchers and stated that computer glitches, hardware issues and concerns from some larger agents are still trying to be worked through before the new computerized system can be implemented. Rep. Haluska agreed that this is a good idea when the new system is implemented but again expressed concern over the additional paperwork that agents would have to process.
HB 1109 Staback - (PN 1338) Amends Title 30 (Fish) further providing, in fishing licenses, for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing licenses, for issuing agents and for license, permit and issuing agent fees. The bill extends the period during which a One-Day Tourist Fishing License and One-Day Resident Fishing License can be issued from April 1 to March 15 to April 30 (from April 1 to April 30). The timing for issuing agents to remit funds for licenses and permits is changed from monthly to a time frame established by the Commission and agents would be required to secure proof of residency from someone applying for a license. The method of the maintenance of these records would be prescribed by the Commission. Equipment for the issuance of fishing licenses and permits would have to be available at reasonable hours for inspection by any waterways conservation officer or other officer designated by the Commission. Penalties for violations are further provided for in the bill. The cost of a replacement license is increased from $4.25 to $5.00 and the transaction costs associated with the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service (PALS) would be actual cost. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
A representative from the Fish and Boat Commission explained the POS system has eliminated the need for monthly reports from issuing agents because revenue is electronically transferred on a weekly basis. He added the new system is also allowing the Commission to gather more personalized information on their customers that can help the Commission to better meet the needs of these customers in the future. Finally, he stated that while replacing old paper licenses with all stamps would cost customers $15.65, under the new POS system it only costs $6.70.
Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford) wondered if the seventy cent fee could increase in future years. Brian Barner, Director of Administration for the Fish and Boat Commission, stated the Commission currently has a nine year contract with their POS vendor so it is unlikely there would be any increases during this time.
Rep. David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) asked if the Commission has looked at securing Growing Greener Funding to cover expenses for this system rather than paying for it through fees. Barner said they have not because they are anticipating that the costs of renovating the state hatcheries will exceed the money they receive from Growing Greener. Additionally, he stated that these costs will occur on a yearly basis. Rep. Levdansky opined that it just seems more appropriate that these expenses would be covered by the General Assembly.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) asked if a potential costs savings was ever argued to justify the Commission's POS system. Barner stated it was not and that they wanted the new system in order to collect better data on their customers so they could be more responsive to their needs and to make it more efficient for customers and the issuing agents.
Chairman Staback interjected that the POS system was discussed in the Committee for years and he has never heard any complaints about the additional costs to consumers. Barner closed saying that 35 other states have implemented a POS system and PA's is one of the lowest cost in the nation.
SB 580 Madigan - (PN 625) Amends Title 34 (Game) by stating it would be lawful to make use of a dog to pursue, chase, scatter and track wild turkeys during the fall wild turkey season. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
John Plowman was recognized by the Chairman to address the topic as someone that has been involved on these issues and with the Game Commission for years. Plowman stressed that the Committee has a chance to make history today by giving hunters the choice of whether or not to bring a dog into the field during fall turkey season. Explaining that 26 states already do so and that PA is merely trying to catch up, he reminded the Committee that dogs can already be used for hunting ducks, squirrels and rabbits in PA.
Chairman Staback closed the meeting by informing Members that on June 12 they will hold the second in a series of meetings on House Bill 251 in the Ryan Office Building beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Report prepared by Eric A. Failing, PA Legislative Services, for PFSC.