House nixes fishing license price increase
After months of speculation, it was confirmed last week that the price of a Pennsylvania fishing license will not increase for the 2018-19 season. A committee of the state House of Representatives stopped a Senate bill that would have increased funding for the Fish and Boat Commission by raising license fees.
At a contentious meeting of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, legislators criticized the eight-year tenure of John Arway, executive director of the Fish and Boat Commission, and refused to advance two funding bills, which had been approved by the Senate.
Since 2005, a resident adult fishing license has cost $22.90. One Senate bill would have increased next year’s fee to about $28.90, including processing fees, with annual increases of 3 percent in each of the following four years. The other would permit Fish and Boat to set its own license fees.
Fish and Boat operates on a $52 million budget raised mostly through fees paid by anglers with no funding from state taxes. The committee’s vote prevented anglers from funding a Fish and Boat revenue increase with their license dollars. Arway said the actions of lawmakers on the committee will result in a reduction of Fish and Boat services.
“The choices were to increase fees to support programs, or not increase fees and cut programs,” Arway said Wednesday. “By deferring action on Senate Bill 30, which would delegate the authority to set license fees to the PFBC, or any other revenue bill, the House Game and Fisheries Committee has supported cutting expenses by closing hatcheries and reducing stocking.”
Lenny Lichvar, a Fish and Boat Commissioner from Somerset County, said without legislative approval of a revenue increase service reductionswill be necessary.
“None of us wanted to do that. Simply put the agency is trying to survive on 2005 income with 2018 expenses,” Lichvar said. “The only place left to cut is fish production. Every other part of the agency has had its budget and personnel slashed to the bone. … Now, to punish us for doing what they forced us to do, some legislators want John Arway to resign and if he does not or if we do not remove him, they are attempting to do so through House Bill 935.”
The House is expected to vote April 9 on the bill, which is intended to termlimit Arway out of office. To become law it would have to be approved by Gov. Tom Wolf. Lichvar said the board is working to find an amicable solution and a revenue source that doesn’t require legislative approval.
“All this over six whole dollars,” Lichvar said, “which is what we are seeking as general license fee increase and which is supported by anglers and sportsmen organizations acrossthe state.”
Hatchery open house
A Day at the Hatchery, the Linesville State Fish Hatchery’s annual open house from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday will include access to fisheries biologists, observation of hatchery operations and a viewing tank of Pennsylvania fishes. Admission is free. The event is at 13300 Hartstown Road, Linesville, Crawford County. For details call, 814683-4451.