Some Bills to watch

[larrymeyer]

HB 779 – Staback (D) Amends Title 34 (Game) repealing provisions relating to Sunday hunting prohibition.



HB 779 was introduced 3/25/2009 and is the same bill that was run a few years ago. This bill does not allow Sunday hunting. It simply removes the restriction on Sunday hunting from state law. If the bill passes, the Pennsylvania Game Commission would be free to use its discretion to decide whether or not to allow expanded hunting on Sunday. Representative Staback believes that the agency should be granted the ability to use the added weekend day as a game management tool if and when it’s appropriate. He believes that the decision of whether or not to hunt on Sunday should be the sole domain of the wildlife professionals at the PGC, not one that is mandated by the legislative branch of government.





On Tabled Calendar:



HB 419 – Baker (R) Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the PA Constitution stating that the right to hunt, fish and harvest game would forever be preserved, subject to state restrictions.



HB 965 – Haluska (D)(PN 2435) Amends Title 34 (Game) further defining "bow" to include devices held in place by a brace secured around the body of the hunter. The term also includes the crossbow which, when used for hunting deer, bear or turkey, shall have a draw weight of no less than 125 pounds and shall use arrows tipped with broadheads of a cutting edge design. The legislation deletes language authorizing the issuance of a bow and arrow or cross bow permit to certain persons. (Prior Printer Number: 1102)

(PN 1102) Amends Title 34 (Game) further defining "bow" to include devices held in place by a brace secured around the body of the hunter or is triggered with the aid of a mechanical device. The term also includes the crossbow which, when used for hunting deer, bear or turkey, shall have a draw weight of no less than 125 pounds and shall use arrows tipped with broadheads of a cutting edge design. The legislation deletes language authorizing the issuance of a bow and arrow or cross bow permit to certain persons.

(Historically, we do not support the Legislature setting which instruments are used to harvest game or seasons and bag limits. This should be the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Game Commission)



HB 1489 – George (D)(PN 2241) Amends Title 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) adding the Natural Gas Severance Tax Act, which imposes a natural gas severance on every producer in the amount of 5% of the gross value of units severed at the wellhead during a reporting period, plus 4.7 cents per unit severed. The tax shall not be imposed on units severed from a stripper well. The bill provides for registration of natural gas producers with the Department of Revenue. The bill provides for duties of the Department of Revenue, for tax assessments and tax liens; imposes penalties; provides for service of process, for rulemaking, for cooperation with other governments and for bonds; and makes an appropriation. The Natural Gas Severance Tax Fund is established to receive revenue from the natural gas severance tax and penalties. The state treasurer shall make the following transfers from the fund on a quarterly basis commencing on the first business day of January 2010: (1) 60% to the General Fund; (2) 3% to the Department of Public Welfare to provide cash and crisis grants to low-income households under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); (3) 15% to the Environmental Stewardship Fund; (4) 4% to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund; (5) 5% to the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund for the reconstruction, maintenance and repair of state roadways and bridges, to be in addition to normal funds and distributed evenly among all 67 counties. Additionally, the following distributions shall be made from the fund: (1) 4.5% to municipalities where natural gas has been severed and taxed under this chapter in the previous quarter, determined on a pro rata basis and used solely for certain projects outlined in the bill; (2) 4.5% to counties where natural gas has been severed and taxed under this chapter in the previous quarter, determined on a pro rata basis; (3) 2% to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which shall be used for the commission's operational, administrative and enforcement costs; and (4) 2% to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which shall be used for the commission's operational, administrative and enforcement costs. Counties and municipalities receiving money from the fund shall annually report to the Department of Transportation, which would in turn report to the General Assembly and Governor. (Prior Printer Number: 1853)

(PN 1853) Amends Title 72 (Taxation & Fiscal Affairs) providing a privilege tax on every producer who severs natural gas; the tax shall be 5% of the gross value of units severed at the wellhead during a reporting period, plus 4.7 cents per unit severed. The bill requires every producer to file a return with the Department of Revenue reporting all severed natural gas resources per reporting period and the tax due; providing guidelines for natural resource severance tax registration; providing producer shall provide for and maintain a discrete wellhead and sales meters; providing assessments; providing for bulk and action sales.

(We are monitoring this piece of Legislation (and similar bills), and are interested in our resource agencies receiving additional funds)



Have a great weekend!

[Feddog82]

Thanks for the info, good job digging it up and getting it out there.