House Game and Fisheries Committee met 4/24/07 to consider three bills.
 
HB 881 Haluska - (PN 1035) Amends Title 34 (Game) further providing for exceptions to unlawful use of lights while hunting by adding that person may not use a flashlight or spotlight held in their hand or worn on their head to create the sole source of power for taking furbearers. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
 
HB 13 Readshaw - (PN 38) Amends "An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith and repealing certain acts" further providing for liability of landowners. The bill seeks to limit liability for land and water areas available to the public for a "recreational user" defined as any person who enters or uses land for a recreational purpose. - The bill was unanimously reported as amended.
 
A00445, by Readshaw, guts the bill and inserts language that will give landowners immunity from liability for injuries caused by hunters, whether or not the injury occurs on or off the landowner's property. The amendment was unanimously adopted.
 
Amendment will add the following to the current RULWA:
(4) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to persons or property, wherever such persons or property are located, caused while huntinq pursuant to 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game).
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) noted time is of the essence, as this bill needs to be passed before the fall hunting season. He noted the rest of the provisions in the bill were removed because they would have taken too long.
 
Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny) asked about liability of the landowner if the hunter is injured on the property, for example by an unsafe structure. Chairman Ed Staback (D-Lackawanna) stated the bill only applies to hunters.
 
Minority Chairman Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) noted he has been contacted by various groups requesting that a range of issues on this topic be addressed. He stated they should be pursued in a different venue.
 
HB 747 Gergely - (PN 874) Amends Title 34 (Game) creating a special license and license auction to hunt one elk. - The bill was unanimously reported as committed.
 
Joe Neville, Legislative Liaison for the PA Game Commission, noted the commission supports the bill and feels it is a good idea.
 
Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry) asked how the auction will take place. Rep. Marc Gergely (D-Allegheny) explained it will occur at the national banquet, where there are thousands of attendees.
 
Rep. Dan Surra (D-Elk) added that various organizations have such auctions and millions have been given to the Game Commission by groups for improved habitat. He stated this is a good opportunity.
 
Rep. Brad Roae (R-Franklin) asked how much the license is expected to go for, to which Rep. Gergely stated $50,000.
 
Minority Chairman Rohrer asked for assurance that the auction will be open to the public. Rep. Gergely stated it will, and noted the auction will revolve through the organizations.
 
Kimberly Hess, PLS
 
 
Senate Game and Fisheries Committee met 4-24-07 to consider one bill.
 
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.
 
Eric A. Failing, PLS
 
 
Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-24-07 to consider certain executive nominations.
 
The Committee unanimously reported certain executive nominations out of committee: 
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Robert A. Bachman, Denver
Replaced: Howard E. Pflugfelder- New Cumberland, Term expired
 
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Steven M. Ketterer, Harrisburg
Replaced: Paul J. Mahon - Clarks Summit, Term expired