HR 218 — A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the compensation and benefits packages given to game wardens, waterways conservation officers and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers.

PRINTER'S NO.   1554

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 218
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY HADDOCK, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS, GIRAL, SANCHEZ,
        PROBST, STEELE, NEILSON, BOROWSKI, O'MARA AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
        APRIL 30, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
        PROTECTION, APRIL 30, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
 2      conduct a study and issue a report on the compensation and
 3      benefits packages given to game wardens, waterways
 4      conservation officers and Department of Conservation and
 5      Natural Resources rangers.
 6      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's natural environment is a key source
 7   of recreation for the residents of this Commonwealth and
 8   attracts visitors from other states; and
 9      WHEREAS, Within State government, the Pennsylvania Game
10   Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the
11   Department of Conservation and Natural Resources each hire full-
12   time officers tasked with the conservation of this environment
13   and the species that live within it; and
14      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Game Commission hires game wardens
15   to ensure compliance with State hunting laws and regulations and
16   the protection of wildlife; and
17      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission hires
18   waterways conservation officers to ensure compliance with State
 1   fishing laws and regulations and the protection of marine life;
 2   and
 3         WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
 4   Natural Resources hires rangers to ensure compliance with State
 5   laws and regulations relating to State parks and forests and to
 6   assist and educate visitors; and
 7         WHEREAS, To serve in any of these positions, an individual
 8   must complete a structured law enforcement training program,
 9   including a physical fitness assessment, and must demonstrate
10   proficiency in relevant State laws and regulations; and
11         WHEREAS, Despite being classified as law enforcement
12   officers, conservation officers earn salaries and hourly wages
13   significantly lower than other Pennsylvania law enforcement
14   officers; and
15         WHEREAS, Under the current pay scales for a 40-hour workweek,
16   game wardens have a starting annual salary of $52,932, waterways
17   conservation officers have a starting annual salary of $48,196
18   and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers
19   have a starting annual salary of $45,859; and
20         WHEREAS, Comparatively, members of the Pennsylvania State
21   Police currently have a starting annual salary of $66,911; and
22         WHEREAS, Conservation officer positions have seen hiring
23   shortages in recent years, with the Pennsylvania Game Commission
24   and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lowering
25   qualification standards in response; and
26         WHEREAS, The lower salaries of conservation officers relative
27   to other law enforcement positions in Pennsylvania and
28   comparable positions in other states have contributed to
29   staffing shortages; and
30         WHEREAS, It is in the interests of the Commonwealth to

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 1   evaluate the compensation of conservation officers as compared
 2   to conservation officers in other states and other State law
 3   enforcement positions to determine whether pay increases and
 4   other changes should be made; and
 5      WHEREAS, The House of Representatives seeks to ensure that
 6   the agencies authorized to protect and conserve the wildlife and
 7   natural environment of this Commonwealth are properly equipped;
 8   therefore be it
 9      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
10   Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on
11   the compensation and benefits packages given to game wardens,
12   waterways conservation officers and Department of Conservation
13   and Natural Resources rangers, including a comparison with
14   similar positions in neighboring states and other Pennsylvania
15   law enforcement positions; and be it further
16      RESOLVED, That the study contain the following information:
17          (1)   The salaries of State game wardens and waterways
18      conservation officers and Department of Conservation and
19      Natural Resources rangers in comparison to similar positions
20      in neighboring states and other Pennsylvania law enforcement
21      positions.
22          (2)   The scope of duties of State game wardens and
23      waterways conservation officers and Department of
24      Conservation and Natural Resources rangers in comparison to
25      similar positions in neighboring states and other
26      Pennsylvania law enforcement positions.
27          (3)   The value and contents of the benefits packages
28      given to State game wardens and waterways conservation
29      officers and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
30      rangers in comparison to the benefits packages given to

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 1      similar positions in neighboring states and other
 2      Pennsylvania law enforcement positions.
 3          (4)   Policy recommendations for the House of
 4      Representatives relating to Pennsylvania conservation
 5      officers' compensation and benefits;
 6   and be it further
 7      RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
 8   submit a report of its findings and policy recommendations
 9   within one year of the adoption of this resolution to the
10   following:
11          (1)   The President pro tempore of the Senate.
12          (2)   The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
13          (3)   The Majority Leader of the Senate.
14          (4)   The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
15          (5)   The Minority Leader of the Senate.
16          (6)   The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
17          (7)   The chair and minority chair of the Game and
18      Fisheries Committee of the Senate.
19          (8)   The chair and minority chair of the Game and
20      Fisheries Committee of the House of Representatives.




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