HB 851 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for organization of commission, providing for prohibition and further providing for accountability; in hunting and furtaking, repealing provisions relating to hunting on Sunday prohibited, providing for temporary Sunday hunting authorized and for hunting and training on Sunday, repealing provisions relating to trespass on private property while hunting and to hunting on Sunday without written permission, providing for the offense of trespass on private land while hunting or furtaking and for the offense of hunting, trapping or taking game or wildlife without written permission and further providing for training dogs on small game; in special licenses and permits, further providing for field dog trials; imposing penalties; and making an editorial change.

HB 851 amends Pennsylvania's Game Code to allow temporary Sunday hunting and dog training for small game, repealing the previous ban on Sunday hunting. It creates new offenses for trespassing on private land while hunting or trapping without written permission and replaces prior rules about Sunday hunting without permission. The bill also requires the Pennsylvania Game Commission to include at least one member actively engaged in agriculture with wildlife management expertise, prohibits the commission from hiring lobbyists to influence state decisions, and mandates an ethics policy emphasizing respect for sportsmen. Additionally, it adds annual reporting requirements for the commission to legislative committees on budget and accountability measures.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Game & Fisheries
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors