Rep. Bruce Smith (R-York), chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, said this week many groups that testified before his Committee on June 8 supported in the increase in 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.”

“The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, as well as many other sportsmen’s organizations, support a fee increase for the PSG to maintain their many existing programs as well as implementing new ones,” said PSFC president Ted Onufrak.

Robert Erikson, representing members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation said his group supports House Bill 2601 as a means of generating much needed income for the Game Commission.

Noting that the last hunting license increase passed in 1999, Wes Waldron, president of the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania said his organization supports House Bill 2601. “Within five years (of the increase) inflation had the agency beginning to consider the need for cutbacks,” he said.

Rep. Smith added that there appears to be little support for enacting legislation creating a $20 conservation stamp from the committee and that he will drop that measure from the committee’s agenda.

NewsClip: Dispute Over License Hike Continues

6/16/2006