PA.Regulation
Pennsylvania Act 115 ties Game Commission entry onto private land to the state constitution's search-and-seizure clause
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1431 was approved on October 22, 2026, as Act No. 115 of 2026, amending sections 303 and 901 of Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. From December 21, 2026, Game Commission officers, employees and representatives may enter property outside buildings only in accordance with Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the search-and-seizure clause; the former unconditional right to enter posted or unposted land is repealed.
Enrolled text (Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)) → · Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
Key points
- Palegis records 'Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026' and 'Act No. 115 of 2026' as the final actions.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Section 303(c) is rewritten and section 901(a)(2) conformed; House amendments replaced the Senate's express warrant language with the constitutional reference.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Officers retain authority to investigate suspected violations and to obtain warrants when necessary, per the sponsor.Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
- The act follows a unanimous Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision reaffirming property owners' constitutional protections, per the sponsor.Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
- Final passage was 50-0 in the Senate and 203-0 in the House; the Senate concurred in House amendments 50-0.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
- Section 3 provides that the act takes effect in 60 days, on December 21, 2026.Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)
Pennsylvania Senate Republicans