Latest news with #BlueLaws
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sunday hunting proposal passes Pa. House. What's next?
A hunter walks across a field. (Getty Images) For the second year in a row, a proposal to repeal Pennsylvania's Sunday hunting prohibition passed the state House in bipartisan fashion this week. After Wednesday's vote, a bevy of organizations have weighed in with some arguing it's past time to end the ban, while others say it would be a step backwards for the outdoor experience in Pennsylvania. As the debate moves to the Senate, a key committee chair told the Capital-Star he's still evaluating House Bill 1431, but the legislation advancing seems like good news. Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chairperson Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) said he expects to have a debate and vote on it in the near future. 'I think it's an idea that's time has come,' Rothman told the Capital-Star on Thursday. 'Other states allow it. What we want to be doing as a state government is to promote hunting and make it as accessible as possible, especially to working families and to younger people.' 'And I think Sunday (hunting) gives them more opportunities,' he added. 'So the more opportunities to hunt gets more hunters, and helps us keep this great tradition alive in Pennsylvania.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The sale of hunting licenses generated more than $59 million in revenue for the Game Commission last year. Rothman said he supports Sen. Dan Laughlin's (R-Erie) proposal to end the ban and believes that proposal would have the support in the chamber. Rothman said state Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny) assured him the language in her proposal is the same in Laughlin's. While the bill proposed by Laughlin also has the support of Sen. James Malone (D-Lancaster), the minority chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, Rothman wants to go over the details of Steele's proposal to see if it can also pass the chamber. Steele described the state's ban as 'archaic' and 'not based in the reality of today.' Pennsylvania expanded Sunday hunting in 2019 when Gov. Tom Wolf signed a law to allow hunting on three Sundays each year: One during archery season, one during rifle season, and one Sunday selected by the Game Commission. Laughlin also led that effort. Prior to the 2019 expansion, hunting had been mostly illegal on Sundays for over 200 years under the state's Blue Laws, which stem from the Quaker foundations of the commonwealth and barred certain activities on the sabbath. 'It's a law that most states have eliminated long ago,' Steele said during debate on the House floor, noting that with a Monday to Friday workweek, most people only have Saturday to hunt. 'Not being able to hunt on Sundays creates major hurdles for busy families. It's a significant barrier for working people.' Steele described herself as 'not a typical hunter' and someone who did not grow up learning to hunt. But she spent a lot of time outdoors and later picked it up as an adult and mother of four children. She said she's been welcomed into the hunting community wholeheartedly. 'It has been a gratifying experience,' Steele said. Her proposal is backed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists, Hunter Nation, Hunters United for Sunday Hunting, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. The Game Commission celebrated the bill advancing Wednesday, issuing a statement referencing a number of reasons that it backs the measure. 'Though hunters play an active role in helping to manage wildlife populations through the purchase of their licenses and other revenue they generate, they also fund wildlife conservation at a larger scale, for all species,' Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said. 'For those reasons and others, it's important to keep hunters engaged and providing the valuable service they do. These bills would help accomplish that.' 'One of the biggest reasons hunters stop hunting is a lack of time,' he added. 'While no one can add hours to the day or days to the week, removing the prohibition on Sunday hunting holds the potential to add significantly more time to the hunting calendar and keep hunters hunting.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said expanding hunting could help reduce crop damage across the state by better managing deer populations. The bill would require at least one member of the Game Commission's Board of Commissioners to have an agriculture background. The bill passed by a 131-72 vote on Wednesday, with support from most Democrats. Republicans were more divided on the matter. The House unanimously approved an amendment to H.B. 1431, to restore the hunting rights of people charged with trespassing immediately upon their acquittal or dismissal of the charges. Other amendments were rejected, including one defeated along party lines that would move the first day of deer hunting season to the Monday after Thanksgiving. The debate around Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania is far from new. Last session, the House passed Steele's bill to repeal the Sunday hunting ban by a 129-73 vote. That bill did not advance in the Senate. Rep. David Maloney, minority chairperson of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, opposed H.B. 1431 and argued that it is 'not a simple Sunday hunting piece of legislation.' Touting his experience with hunting from a young age, Maloney said the bill would have 'unintended consequences.' The problems Maloney had with the proposal included the language regarding trespassing penalties, the requirement for a member of the agriculture community to be on the Game Commission Board, the power given to farmers to hunt deer, and negative impacts on waterfowl hunters. He also said he doesn't buy the supporters' argument about free time. Maloney said since he began hunting at age 12, the opportunities to hunt throughout the year have more than doubled. Maloney also said he believes the bill is unconstitutional because it violates the requirement that legislation must be limited to a single subject. For that reason, Maloney said he doesn't believe the Senate would consider it or Gov. Josh Shapiro would sign it. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), one of the three Democrats who did not vote in support of H.B. 1431, said the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, the Keystone Trails Association, and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation oppose the bill. Jen Quinn, legislative and political director for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, told the Capital-Star the organization supports hunting and effective management of the deer population, but cited a number of concerns she has with the proposal. 'Our concern is that when people know there are hunters in the woods, are they going to stay out?' Quinn said. She noted that it is relatively safe to be in the woods with hunters, but there are people who may decide to stay home instead of enjoying the outdoors when hunters are out. Quinn also said she doesn't think the legislation would address the problem of deer overpopulation and the decline in hunting licenses. 'I doubt adding one more day will fix this, because the state did add three Sundays a few years ago, and it didn't reverse that trend,' Quinn said. She also said that the organization supports phasing out lead ammunition, arguing that it is harmful to wildlife. Brook Lenker, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association, said the organization was disappointed that H.B. 1431 passed the House, even though it anticipated it might move on to the Senate. He's holding out hope that the Senate won't pass the bill. 'We just feel that additional Sundays open to hunting has the potential to erode quality hiking opportunities on Pennsylvania's trails … a lot of hiking occurs on weekends,' Lenker told the Capital-Star. Steele or Laughlin's proposal would have to receive a vote in the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee before it could advance to a full vote in the chamber. The Senate is slated to return to session on Monday, June 23. Earlier this year, both Steele and Laughlin, who are leading the efforts in their respective chambers again this session, told the Capital-Star that they were optimistic the bill could get across the finish line.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
What are Pennsylvania's ‘Blue Laws?'
(WHTM) — Pennsylvanians looking to purchase a car on a Sunday will be sorely out of luck. The Commonwealth remains one of the few states to still have so-called Blue Laws — statutes banning certain activities on Sunday — on its books. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now It all dates back to a 1794 law prohibiting any 'worldly employment or business.' In plain language, no Sunday trading. The term 'Blue Law' comes from the 18th-century phrase 'true blue,' meaning overly moralistic, according to Britannica. Other prohibited activities included trading in motor vehicles and trailers, selling fresh meats, produce, and groceries, and selling personal property. Title-18-Chapter-73-Section-61-The-Official-Website-of-the-Pennsylvania-General-AssemblyDownload Many of these laws no longer remain active. In 1978, Costco successfully sued to overturn the prohibition of groceries after O'Hara Township cited the chain for violating the law. However, lawmakers have recently pushed through efforts to overturn Sunday hunting bans in the state. Currently, according to the Game Commission's website, it's unlawful to hunt on the day except for foxes, crows and coyotes. A bill repealing that ban passed the State House this week by a vote of 131-72, and now moves to the State Senate for consideration. Weird laws, proposals only found in Pennsylvania It wouldn't be the first time Blue Laws have been repealed. Previous exemptions have been made for the sale of newspapers, ferrymen carrying passengers, milkmen making deliveries, the production of some dramas and the staging of basketball, ice shows and ice hockey. 'Wholesome recreation,' such as picnicking and bowling, has also been allowed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are liquor stores open Memorial Day in MA? State law says they must have these altered hours
When it comes to blue laws, Massachusetts has had its share on the books - particularly when it comes to alcohol. For example, up until 2004, shoppers were banned from selling alcohols on Sunday. And to this day, there are still restrictions for both package stores, bars and restaurants. There are currently rules on when they can sell, with retailers limited to between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. (11:30 p.m. on a day before a legal holiday). Similarly, there are restrictions on when people can buy alcohol on Memorial Day. Under state law, liquor stores can't open before noon on Memorial Day. So if you're hoping to have an alcoholic beverage as part of your day, you'll need to go to the store either the day before or in the afternoon. Memorial Day isn't the only day holiday with restrictions on alcohol sales. Liquor stores must be closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day in Massachusetts, under state law. Massachusetts' "Blue Laws" were meant to enforce the Puritan ideas of a "moral" society. To sure people went to church, laws were passed to prohibit work and business on Sunday, or the "Sabbath." They also covered holidays and the sale of alcohol. There are still some Blue Laws on the books. The most well-known is that Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that still prohibits most stores from opening on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Veer Mudambi contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Are liquor stores open Memorial Day in MA? What to know


CBS News
20-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
On Easter Sunday, here's which stores are open and what's closed in Massachusetts
Need to do some last-minute shopping on Easter Sunday? In Massachusetts, some supermarkets and retail stores will be closed today in observance of the holiday. Framingham-based corporation TJX will again close its TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and Homesense stores on Sunday. "We consider ourselves an Associate-friendly company and we are pleased to give Associates the time to enjoy Easter with family and friends," TJX told WBZ-TV last year. Market Basket , headquartered in Tewksbury, says all of its stores will be closed on Easter. Springfield-based Big Y is also closing all stores on Sunday. "We will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20th, so that our employees may spend time with loved ones," the supermarket says on its website. Roche Bros., with more than a dozen stores in Massachusetts, told WBZ-TV its stores will be closed all day to let associates spend time with their families. Unlike the Thanksgiving holiday, "Blue Laws" in Massachusetts do not force stores to close on Easter Sunday. Stop & Shop stores will be open, but with special hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and store pharmacies will be closed. All Shaw's and Star Market stores will be open regular business hours, but pharmacy departments will be closed. BJ's Wholesale Club will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Some club hours may vary slightly; members can check with their local store.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Laughlin re-introduces bill to end PA's ban on Sunday hunting
(WJET/WFXP)– Pennsylvania State Senator Dan Laughlin is making another push to end the Commonwealth's prohibition on Sunday hunting, this time with the backing of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Senator Laughlin announced this week he has reintroduced legislation to repeal the hunting ban along with transferring authority on wildlife management over to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Expanded Sunday hunting days added: PA Game Commission Currently, Pennsylvanians are only allowed to hunt on three Sundays per year when not hunting animals like foxes, crows and coyotes with the original ban dating back to at least 1873 with Pennsylvania's Blue Laws. Laughlin said the bill would address agricultural concerns like mitigating crop damage caused by wildlife and called PA Farm Bureau's (PFB) support a significant milestone to modernize the Commonwealth's hunting laws. 'For eight years, I have fought to remove this outdated prohibition and expand opportunities for hunters,' Laughlin said. 'Through open dialogue and collaboration, we've built a consensus. I am pleased that the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau now fully supports this effort and is calling for its passage.' Erie County Sheriff's Office making huge tech upgrades in dispatch system 'Pennsylvania Farm Bureau proudly supports Laughlin's bill, a key piece of legislation developed in collaboration between wildlife groups and the agricultural community to improve wildlife management and address deer overpopulation,' said Chris Hoffman, President of the PFB. 'These measures will help farmers better control deer populations, protect their crops, and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture in our state.' Additionally, he said the end to the ban would also expand access for people with disabilities who require help to go hunting or trapping that's usually only available on Sundays. 'I want to give the needed latitude to the Game Commission to increase hunting and trapping opportunities and rebuild interest in hunting, which will benefit all Pennsylvanians,' Laughlin said. 'This is about modernizing our laws, supporting conservation, and ensuring hunting remains a strong tradition for future generations.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Should the bill pass and be signed into law, Pennsylvania would join 39 other states that have no restrictions on Sunday hunting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.