Study: PGC/PFBC will run out of funds by 2034

[fcarp]

Wrong. The state legislature gave the fish commission the authority to set license fees in 2020. They used their new found, and unconstitutional authority, to raise the cost of a fishing license by a whooping $2.50.

I remember this clearly because I am staunchly opposed to giving the power to raise taxes to unelected bureaucrats. A fishing license is a tax and the power to tax is only constitutionally permitted by elected officials. This is how “we the people” are able to oppose unfair taxation, by being able to vote them in or out. We can’t vote the fish commission out so they shouldn’t have to authority to take any money from us. We just need our elected officials to do their jobs instead of building in bureaucracy's to hide behind.

Act 56 of 2020 allowed the PAFBC to set their license prices. I stand corrected!

 

[DaveKile]

Next steps:

Rep. Anita Kulik (D-45) is seeking legislative support to direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine shared administrative, operational, and law enforcement services between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC).

Her proposal comes on the heels of a study by the Wildlife Management Institute which identified potential cost savings through greater coordination between the commissions. This comes on the heels of both commissions announcing the end of their respective deputy warden programs, eliminating more than 100 positions.

Lawmaker wants to explore blending operations for some PA game, fish and boat services

A Pennsylvania lawmaker has expressed interest in probing whether some of the state's outdoor commissions could save money by blending some of their services.

local21news.com

 

[jifigz]

If you access any water at a PFBC launch a permit is required. They are not required in State Parks if ingress or egress from the water is not done at an approved launch site. If you put in with anything at PFBC owned launch you must have a permit.

This is the truth.

A float tube is NOT considered a boat, an inflatable boat, an un-powered watercraft or a vessel in PA because it's primary purpose is NOT transportation but providing a fishing platform.

I have used my float tube on DCNR lakes, PFBC Lakes, and any number of PA State Parks and was never challenged or asked for a launch permit despite have several conversations with law enforcement when checking me for other compliance requirements (fishing license, PFD, multiple air bladders).

The above information is incorrect. If you launch a float-tube at a PFBC launch, it needs a permit or sticker on it. Maybe DCNR launches don't care, but I assure you the PFBC can and will ticket you for it.