Mar. 13, 2018
HARRISBURG – Legislation by Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/ Mercer) to reduce hunting license fees for non-resident disabled veterans and former prisoners of war was approved by the House on Monday.
“These brave men and women gave so much while wearing our country’s uniform.
House Bill 1409 honors all disabled veterans and prisoners of war whether they live in Pennsylvania or not,” Wentling said.
Under Wentling’s bill, the fee on hunting licenses for qualifying non-resident disabled veterans and former prisoners of war would be reduced to as little as $1.90 for the processing fee. The bill calls for the following price scale to be implemented:
• For former prisoners of the war, the cost is $1 plus issuing agent and transaction fees.
• For veterans considered 60 percent to 99 percent disabled by the Veterans Administration, the cost is $1 plus issuing agent and transaction fees.
• For veterans considered 100 percent disabled, there is no cost aside from the issuing agent and transaction fees.
“Non-profit organizations that offer hunting opportunities to wounded veterans and former prisoners of war have incurred higher costs when obtaining licenses for non-resident disabled veterans,” Wentling said. “This legislation will create an equal playing field for all veterans and will further help veterans as they work to recover from physical injuries and mental trauma they sustained in service to our country.”
A provision to exempt senior lifetime resident hunting license holders from obtaining a permit to hunt pheasants and other species once included in their general license was amended into the bill. Previously, the state Game Commission imposed a regulation requiring pheasant hunters, including those with a senior lifetime resident hunting license, to obtain a $25 permit to hunt pheasants. Under the amendment, any hunter who purchased a senior lifetime resident hunting license prior to July 1, 2017, would not have to obtain a permit.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Parke Wentling
17th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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