HARRISBURG – The state House has unanimously granted final approval to House Bill 2169, legislation authored by state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) that reauthorizes the Special Elk License Auction program.
HB 2169 expands the program to provide an additional tag for auction or raffle by the Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA), the organization that manages the Elk Country Visitors’ Center in Benezette, Elk County.
Additionally, the bill requires the Pennsylvania Game Commission to move its annual elk hunting license lottery drawing from the PGC headquarters in Harrisburg to the Elk Country Visitors’ Center in Benezette. The bill has been sent to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk to be signed into law.
“I appreciate my House and Senate colleagues’ support on this measure that is so important to our local economy and our outdoor heritage,” Gabler said. “House Bill 2169 not only reauthorizes a program that has been so successful for the past five years, but it also makes substantial improvements to it that will benefit our area. “
“The Elk Country Visitors’ Center is an incredible asset to the community as a draw for local, national and international tourists,” Gabler added. “It serves as a great educational tool for visitors to learn about elk and our rural heritage in the Pennsylvania Wilds.”
“The timing of this bill passage couldn’t be more perfect,” said Rawley Cogan, president and chief executive officer of KECA said. “House Bill 2169 becoming law would allow us to attract even more people to the visitors’ center, further certify our brand on a larger stage and educate even more of the public about the elk and conservation in general.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Gabler’s DuBois office at 814-375-4688 or his St. Marys office at 814- 781-6301.
