What Exactly is House Bill 1979?

By: Bob Eriksen, NWTF Regional Biologist

 

When a legislative committee discusses legislation for any purpose, the result is generally a draft bill. The draft bill offers proposed wording for a change or addition to state law. After a bill is drafted, the committee will sometimes seek input from the public through a series of public meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to “take the pulse” of public sentiment and perhaps obtain some ideas for changes to the proposed bill from people who might be affected by the legislation.

 

After considerable discussion within the committee, the bill may be amended (modified), dropped or introduced to the floor of the legislature for consideration. Bills can come from either the General Assembly or the Senate. Once a branch of the legislature passes a bill, the other arm of the legislature will review the legislation. If the bill passes both the Assembly and the Senate, it goes to the governor for signing. When the governor signs the bill, the bill becomes law. The process can take a few months or more than a year to complete.

 

House Bill 1979 is a draft bill written by the House Game and Fish Committee. The bill has nineteen sponsors and proposes a change in Title 34 the statutes affecting hunting in Pennsylvania. House Bill 1979 was introduced on October 2, 2003 and is in committee at this time. In its current form, the bill would require spring gobbler hunters to purchase a spring turkey hunting license in addition to their regular hunting license. The proposed license would cost $5.00 for resident hunters and $25.00 for non-residents. Junior hunters (age 16 and under) and senior hunters would receive the license at no cost.

 

House Bill 1979 will remain in committee for some time. The first of four public meetings on the bill was held recently near Johnstown in St. Michael’s, Pennsylvania. A second meeting will be held in February in northeastern Pennsylvania. Based on input from turkey hunters, the bill may be changed before it reaches the house floor. In any case, House Bill 1979 will not be heard in the General Assembly before next fall. There is plenty of time for you to review the bill, attend meetings and contact your legislators about it. The Pennsylvania State Chapter encourages you to make your opinions known to your representatives in Harrisburg.

Send mail to panwtf@go2pa.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Pennsylvania Chapter- National Wild Turkey Federation
Last modified: November 20, 2003