Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York/Cumberland), the Chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, announced legislation this week to increase revenues to the Pennsylvania Game Commission through an increase in hunting license fees.

“License fees were last increased in 1999, and the proposed increase would not take effect until July 1, 2007,” Rep. Smith said. “The cost of running the Game Commission has increased, as it has for businesses, government agencies and school districts.

“At the fall convention of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, delegates from around the state voted to support a hunting license increase,” he said.

Under one measure, the basic adult resident hunting license would be raised from $19 to $29 (House Bill 2600). The other measure would increase the fee to $34 (House Bill 2601). Both bills would also establish a $10 pheasant stamp and a $5 turkey stamp with the proceeds to be used solely for the maintenance and operating of programs for preserving and encouraging the hunting of these species in Pennsylvania.

A third bill (House Bill 2602) would create a $20 conservation stamp for individuals who use state game lands for any purpose. The proceeds from the stamp would be deposited into state Game Fund.

“The sportsmen’s group has not committed to the conservation stamp measure,” Smith said.

According to an audit by the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, only 666 of the 732 salaried positions were filled at the Game Commission as of December 12, 2005.

“The commission has taken several measures, many of which are felt directly by sportsmen, to reduce operating costs,” Smith said.

The steps taken to reduce operating costs include:

· Reduced number of pheasants produced from 200,000 to 100,000 birds annually. This new production level was based on the number of birds that could be produced without hiring seasonal workers;

· Discontinued toll-free numbers at each regional office;

· Reduced budget for funding the deer fencing program and for bear damage complaints;

· Reduced overtime budget;

· Discontinued publication and distribution of certain educational materials; and

· Delayed starting a new Wildlife Conservation Officer training class. The last class was held in 2001-02. Currently there are 15 WCO vacancies or 10 percent of the workforce.

Smith said that costs for the commission will continue to escalate because of increases included in the master agreement between AFSCME and the Commonwealth. The PGC estimates that the 3 percent salary increase and $5 bi-weekly increase for employee benefits that are in the agreement will cost the game fund more than $1 million in the current fiscal year.

“The commission, as all motorists can attest to, has seen dramatic increases in fuel costs,” Smith said.

The LBFC audit also took the Game Commission to task for failing to fully implement a five-year strategic plan adopted in 2003.

“I would expect the commission to make substantial progress in implementing that plan before the General Assembly would consider supporting an increase in license fees,” Smith said.

Smith said that even with the proposed increases, a hunting license remains competitive with the cost of other sports and entertainment events.

For example: Penn State football tickets are $55 per game; Philadelphia Phillies tickets are as much as $40 per game; Pittsburgh Penguins tickets are $85 per game ($30 for a seat in the balcony); floor seats for the Billy Joel concert on March 31 at the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia are listed at $75.

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3/31/2006