HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not testify before a house hearing, but it was very much in the crosshairs of lawmakers frustrated on a number of fronts.

Some seeking reform seem to have itchy trigger fingers.

If State Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny) has her way, on the seventh day, they hunt.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

“People are busier today than they ever have been. Rising costs have forced many people into six day work weeks,” Steele said. “Sundays are the only free day for many hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

Her bill expanding Sunday hunting passed committee and was sent to the full House. But this hearing also sent a Bipartisan message to the Game Commission.

The Democratic Chair:

“There are many issues going on right now with the commission that we would like to address,” Rep. Anita Kulik (D) said.

And the Republican Chair:

“I have been frustrated over the years with the lack of answers,” said Rep. Dave Maloney (R).

And many say a lack of clarity about the funding it gets from hunting licenses and oil and gas leases on game lands.

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It’s sitting on nearly $500 million. House Bill 2314 would require detailed accounting to the legislature every year.

It passed unanimously.

“We’re just looking for more transparency from the Game Commission and we want to make sure that what is being done for the sportsmen and women of Pennsylvania is what’s right for the sportsmen and women,” Kulik said.

“The message was loud and clear that members of the committee would like more transparency with how we are spending our money and we welcome that,” Stephen Smith, executive director of the Game Commission, said.

He is the new executive director of the Game Commission, hastily appointed after Bryan Burhans abruptly departed last month.

Lawmakers were kept out of the loop. Intentionally.

“We think an agency would want to be very transparent, very thorough in how they choose somebody,” Maloney said.

“I was not happy with the way it was handled,” Kulik said.

“It’s clear that there are some who feel that way so we’re going to work to overcome that,” Smith said.

And lawmakers made clear, there is work to do.

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