HB 2137 — An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, further providing for license requirements; and, in special licenses and permits, further providing for regulated hunting grounds permits.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. PN2762 View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill introduces provisions for exemptions from hunting license fees for veterans and members of the armed services, as well as modifies regulations around regulated hunting ground permits.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2701

  (d) Exemption for members of the armed services and disabled veterans.--(1) The commission shall issue a Military Event License Exemption exempting eligible individuals under paragraph (2) from the license and permit fee requirements under section 2709 (relating to license costs and fees) while participating in an eligible activity for which the commission has issued a Military Event License Exemption Permit under paragraph (3).(2) The following individuals are eligible for a Military Event License Exemption under paragraph (1): (i) A veteran of the armed forces of the United States who has been certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor or by any branch of the United States Armed Forces to have served during war time and has a service-connected disability of 30% or more. (ii) An active duty member, reserve duty member or veteran of any branch of the United States Armed Forces who has received the Purple Heart. (iii) One additional individual per eligible individual under subparagraph (i) or (ii), who shall provide assistance to the eligible individual as necessary during the specified permitted event.

  This establishes an exemption for certain military individuals from license and permit fees when participating in approved activities.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2701

  (3) The commission may issue a Military Event License Exemption Permit for an event, subject to paragraph (5), whose primary purpose is the rehabilitation or enjoyment of eligible individuals. Each eligible individual must receive a Military Event License Exemption to participate in the event. The event may have a duration of no more than seven consecutive days.

  This allows for events that promote rehabilitation or enjoyment for eligible individuals, setting summer durations.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2701

  (5) An individual or entity that wishes to host an event for which the commission may issue a Military Event License Exemption Permit under paragraph (3) shall apply for the Military Event License Exemption Permit in a manner provided by the commission no less than 14 days prior to the event.

  This requires event hosts to apply at least 14 days in advance for the exemption permit.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2701

  (6) Military Event License Exemption Permits may only be used for an event hosted on private land within this Commonwealth with the express approval of the landowner.

  This restricts the use of exemption permits to events held on private land with landowner approval.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2701

  (12) The following words and phrases when used in this subsection shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph unless context clearly indicates otherwise: "Eligible individual." An individual eligible for a Military Event License Exemption under paragraph (2). "Military Event License Exemption." The Military Event License Exemption issued under paragraph (1). "Military Event License Exemption Permit." The Military Event License Exemption Permit issued under paragraph (3).

  This provides definitions for terms related to the Military Event License Exemption.

• 34 Pa.C.S. § 2928

  (f.1) Exception.--Notwithstanding subsection (f), a permittee may remove or have removed from its premises any bird that is permitted to be killed under the authority of this permit without adhering to the tagging requirement of subsection (f) as long as the permittee attaches to the package or container that contains the killed birds a label that states the permittee's name, address, permit number, number and types of killed birds and the date the birds were killed.

  This creates an exception allowing for the removal of killed birds without tagging under certain conditions.

Action History

1. January 14, 2026

   Referred to Game & Fisheries

Sponsors

• Tina Pickett · Primary
• R. Lee James · Cosponsor
• Bud Cook · Cosponsor
• Jacob D. Banta · Cosponsor
• David M. Delloso · Cosponsor
• David H. Rowe · Cosponsor
• Justin C. Fleming · Cosponsor
• Joe Ciresi · Cosponsor
• Mark M. Gillen · Cosponsor
• David H. Zimmerman · Cosponsor

Subjects