Hunters United for Sunday Hunting: YES WE SUPPORT HB1719 TO PROTECT PA GAME COMMISSION GAME FUND

Hunters United For Sunday Hunting

717-350-6741

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND DISTRIBUTION

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting supports the recent introduction of Pennsylvania House Bill 1719, Session 2023 which would clarify and stipulate the use of the PA Game Commission Game Fund and establish by law that it can only be used to support the mission of the PA Game Commission. HB1719 will keep the PA Game Fund intact and prevent any following attempts by the PA legislature to raid the PGC funds.

HB1719 would correct and resolve any ensuing actions such as those currently in PA HB1300 that immediately transfer $150 million from conservation and places a tax estimated at $10 million per year on the real property that the PGC holds. Both of these violate the rules of the PA Game Fund as it relates to the Pittman and Robertson Act which allocates yearly federal dollars to every state. The PGC would lose an estimated $40 million per year because of these actions. Once Pittman and Robertson's funding is lost there is no solution or option for when it could return, if at all.

The PGC is funded primarily by hunting and furtaker license sales; State Game Lands timber, mineral, and oil/gas revenues; and a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition; the PGC is almost entirely supported by hunters and trappers, or assets that have been procured with license dollars. The PGC does not receive state General Fund appropriations.

The PA Game Fund is designed to be used in support of the PGC mission to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping

for current and future generations. Citizens of the Commonwealth have the

expectation and understanding that the PGC will do as sanctioned and that these

funds are to support things such as habitat improvement, wildlife enhancement, and

all other conservation efforts for the 480 species of wildlife in the state

from the biggest bear or elk to the smallest pollinators.

HB1719 will enhance, protect, and provide a path for the successful use of the PA Game Fund “based on the needs and best interest of the sportsmen and sportswomen of this Commonwealth.”

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