Apr. 17, 2019
HARRISBURG – A bill from Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) would allow the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to set its own fees, rather than requiring those fees be established by legislation.
House Bill 808 passed the House today and goes to the Senate for its consideration.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is an independent administrative agency that is not supported by General Fund revenues. It relies on user fees to offer its services.
House Bill 808 would allow fees to be established by regulation following a public-comment period. Fees would have to be considered by the agency’s commissioners at two separate public meetings.
“The General Assembly would retain the right to reject any fee change. However, it is important for the Fish and Boat Commission to have the flexibility to establish fees as it sees fit, while continuing to offer robust services to anglers and boaters,” Mehaffie said.
The authority granted to the commission would be for three years, at which time it would be re-evaluated by the Legislature.
“Checks and balances like this allow us to ensure the commission is upholding its financial responsibilities while serving the public,” Mehaffie said.
Representative Thomas Mehaffie
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com
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