RULES AND REGULATIONS

GAME COMMISSION

[ 58 PA. CODE CH. 141 ]

Hunting and Trapping; Protective Material

[41 Pa.B. 2696]
[Saturday, May 28, 2011]

 To effectively manage the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth, the Game Commission (Commission) at its April 12, 2011, meeting, amended § 141.20 (relating to protective material required) to restructure the various fluorescent orange requirements into a more comprehensible set of requirements without altering their substantive standards.

 The final-form rulemaking will not have an adverse impact on the wildlife resources of this Commonwealth.

 The authority for the final-form rulemaking is 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to Game and Wildlife Code) (code).

 Notice of proposed rulemaking was published at 41 Pa.B. 1629 (March 26, 2011).

1. Purpose and Authority

 Section 141.20 has been the subject of many regulatory amendments over the years both to create more stringent protective material requirements where greater safety was deemed warranted as well as to eliminate protective material where they were deemed no longer necessary. By and large these amendments have achieved their intended results. However, the repeated piece meal amendments completed over the years have created confusing and sometimes inconsistent language in this section. The Commission amends § 141.20 to rectify these problems and achieve a more comprehensible set of requirements. Substantive changes have not been made to the requirements of any hunting seasons.

 Section 2102(a) of the code (relating to regulations) provides that ''The commission shall promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate concerning game or wildlife and hunting or furtaking in this Commonwealth, including regulations relating to the protection, preservation and management of game or wildlife and game or wildlife habitat, permitting or prohibiting hunting or furtaking, the ways, manner, methods and means of hunting or furtaking and the health and safety of persons who hunt or take wildlife or may be in the vicinity of persons who hunt or take game or wildlife in this Commonwealth.'' The amendments to § 141.20 are adopted under this authority.

2. Regulatory Requirements

 The final-form rulemaking amends § 141.20 by restructuring the various fluorescent orange requirements into a more comprehensible set of requirements without altering their substantive standards.

3. Persons Affected

 Persons wishing to hunt or trap game or wildlife within this Commonwealth will be affected by the final-form rulemaking.

4. Comment and Response Summary

 There were no official comments received concerning the final-form rulemaking.

5. Cost and Paperwork Requirements

 The final-form rulemaking should not result in additional cost or paperwork.

6. Effective Date

 The final-form rulemaking will be effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will remain in effect until changed by the Commission.

7. Contact Person

 For further information regarding the final-form rulemaking, contact Richard R. Palmer, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Protection, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 783-6526.

Findings

 The Commission finds that:

 (1) Public notice of intention to adopt the administrative amendments adopted by this order has been given under sections 201 and 202 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. §§ 1201 and 1202) and the regulations thereunder, 1 Pa. Code §§ 7.1 and 7.2.

 (2) The adoption of the amendments of the Commission in the manner provided in this order is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of the authorizing statute.

Order

 The Commission, acting under authorizing statute, orders that:

 (a) The regulations of the Commission, 58 Pa. Code Chapter 141, are amended by amending § 141.20 to read as set forth at 41 Pa.B. 1629.

 (b) The Executive Director of the Commission shall certify this order and 41 Pa.B. 1629 and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.

 (c) This order shall become effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

CARL G. ROE, 
Executive Director

 Fiscal Note: Fiscal Note 48-325 remains valid for the final adoption of the subject regulation.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 11-876. Filed for public inspection May 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m.]

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