A Resolution designating the Monday after Thanksgiving as "Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Day" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 13 co-sponsors

Designates the Monday after Thanksgiving every year as Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Day to ceremonially recognize outdoor sports and wildlife stewardship.

Referred to Game & Fisheries

Summary of Bill: HR 523 (2025-2026 Session) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

Designates the Monday after Thanksgiving as “Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Day” in Pennsylvania.

The resolution is a ceremonial designation intended to recognize and honor sportsmen and hunting/fishing traditions within the state.

Key provisions and changes

Official designation: The bill designates a specific day each year—the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving—as Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Day.

Scope: The designation is ceremonial and symbolic; it does not appear to create new duties, funding, or regulatory requirements.

Legislative mechanism: The designation is enacted through a House Resolution (H.R. 523), which, if adopted, serves as a formal expression of the General Assembly's recognition.

Who or what would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Pennsylvania sportsmen, hunting and fishing communities, wildlife conservation organizations, and related outdoor recreation interests.

Administrative impact: Likely minimal or purely symbolic; no new state programs, agencies, or budgets are outlined in the bill text.

Public observance: May influence public awareness, commemorative events, or educational activities related to outdoor sports and wildlife stewardship.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Sponsor and supporters:

Prime Sponsor: Representative David Maloney (R-130).
Co-sponsors include Representatives Marc Anderson, Jacob Banta, Bud Cook, Keith Greiner, Rob Kauffman, Tina Pickett, Brenda Pugh, Brian Smith, Craig Staats, Jill Cooper, and Mark Gillen, representing various districts.

Current status: Referred to the House Committee on Game & Fisheries on May 13, 2026.

Next steps: If reported out of committee favorably, the bill would proceed through the House for a vote. If passed by the House and the Senate (and signed by the governor, if required for a resolution), the designation would take effect as a matter of legislative record and ceremonial observance.

Time sensitivity: No explicit date-specific trigger beyond the annual occurrence of the designated Monday; the recognition would recur every year on the same day as long as the resolution remains in effect.

Additional notes

The bill is a nondiscretionary, ceremonial measure and does not implement regulatory changes, funding, or enforcement mechanisms.

As a resolution, it expresses a policy position or tribute rather than creating substantive law or fiscal obligations.