WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1313

An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in hunting and furtaking licenses, providing for Native Pennsylvanian Annual License; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Rothman and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a Native Pennsylvanian Annual License for certain nonresidents tied to PA birth or guardians, priced like resident licenses and same scope as regular licenses.

Laid on the table
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1313

Summary of Bill SB 1313 (Session 2025-2026) — Pennsylvania

Overview

SB 1313 proposes creating a new designation for hunting licenses in Pennsylvania called the Native Pennsylvanian Annual License. The license would be available to certain nonresidents with specific connections to Pennsylvania and would be priced and issued similarly to resident licenses. The measure is targeted at expanding eligibility and codifying a distinct licensing category while maintaining the existing framework for resident licenses.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a special annual hunting license for individuals who have a qualifying connection to Pennsylvania but are not current residents.
  • Align the Native Pennsylvanian Annual License in cost and structure with standard resident licenses, while preserving existing resident licensing categories and nonresident options.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Creation of a Native Pennsylvanian Annual License (a.1):

    • The Pennsylvania Game Commission would issue an annual hunting license named the Native Pennsylvanian Annual License.
    • Availability:
      • Aimed at nonresidents who were born in Pennsylvania and do not currently reside in the state.
      • Nonresidents who have a living parent or former guardian residing in Pennsylvania.

  2. Pricing:

    • The Native Pennsylvanian Annual License would cost the same as a standard resident annual hunting license.

  3. Application Criteria:

    • For an applicant born in Pennsylvania:
      • Provide a certified copy of the original birth certificate showing birth in Pennsylvania or proof that the applicant’s parent’s address was in Pennsylvania at the time of birth.
      • Provide a valid current photo ID.
    • For an applicant with a living parent or guardian in Pennsylvania:
      • Provide proof of the living parent/guardian’s Pennsylvania address.
      • Provide a valid current photo ID.
    • Status for service members:
      • The applicant may hold Native Pennsylvanian status if they are a service member, or a family member in the same household domiciled in Pennsylvania, while the service member is stationed outside Pennsylvania on active duty. (This preserves eligibility for service members or household members serving abroad.)

  4. First-Time Applicants:

    • First-time applicants for the Native Pennsylvanian Annual License must submit an application to the commission.

  5. License Designation:

    • The Native Pennsylvanian license would be identical in form and designation to a standard annual resident license (labeled “Native Pennsylvanian”).

  6. License Scope:

    • All regular annual licenses currently offered to residents would also be available to those who qualify as Native Pennsylvanians.
    • Lifetime licenses would not be included in the Native Pennsylvanian program.

  7. Relation to Other Licenses:

    • The bill does not limit eligibility for a resident hunter’s license in the circumstances described under the nonresident/guardian/parent provisions (i.e., other pathways to resident licenses remain unaffected).

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Nonresident Applicants with Qualifying Ties:

    • Individuals born in Pennsylvania but currently living elsewhere.
    • Nonresidents with a living parent or former guardian residing in Pennsylvania.
    • Service members and certain family members stationed outside the Commonwealth may qualify under special provisions.

  • Pennsylvania Game Commission:

    • Responsible for administering, approving, and issuing the Native Pennsylvanian Annual Licenses.
    • Must ensure licensing forms, designation, and eligibility criteria align with the statute.

  • Existing License Categories:

    • Resident annual licenses: Availability maintained and mirrored for Native Pennsylvanians.
    • Lifetime licenses: Not included in this new program.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date: The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
  • Implementation: Applicants would submit first-time Native Pennsylvanian Annual License applications to the Commission as part of establishing eligibility.

Notable Details

  • No change to the price of existing resident licenses beyond the stated parity with the Native Pennsylvanian Annual License.
  • The bill explicitly preserves the option for eligible individuals to obtain resident licenses through existing pathways if they qualify.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current licensing categories or draft a quick FAQ for potential applicants.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.