Pennsylvania HB961: An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

What the bill says

Amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

From the amended text, October 19, 2026:

Amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 3510(b), (c)(2), (h)(1), (2) and (3) and the definitions of "owner," "permittee" and "run-of-the-river dam" in subsection (i) of Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended, subsection (h) is amended by adding a paragraph PARAGRAPHS and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read: § 3510. Marking of dams. * * * (b) Existing dams.-- [(1) The department shall compile and maintain a current list of existing dams on the waters of this Commonwealth that the department determines to be run-of-the-river type dams. <--<-- Within three months of the effective date of this section, the department shall notify the permittees and owners of those run-of-the-river dams of the requirements of this section by certified letter. Within six months of receiving notification of the requirements of this section from the department, the permittees and owners of run-of-the-river dams shall comply with the requirements of this section to mark the areas above and below their dams and on the banks immediately adjacent to their dams during the time periods of the year required by the commission with signs and buoys of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Natalie Mihalek (R, 40) · primary sponsor
• Robert FREEMAN (D, 136)
• Gina Curry (D, 164)
• Danilo Burgos (D, 197)
• Robert James (R, 64)
• Kristin Marcell (R, 178)
• James Haddock (D, 118)
• Inglis III, John C. (D, 38)
• Anita Kulik (D, 45)
• Joseph Hogan (R, 142)
• Regina Young (D, 185)
• Jeremy Shaffer (R, 28)

Latest actions

1. October 22, 2026: Act No. 69 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026
2. October 22, 2026: Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026
3. October 22, 2026: Presented to the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026
4. October 22, 2026: Signed in Senate, Oct. 22, 2026
5. October 21, 2026: Signed in House, Oct. 21, 2026
6. October 21, 2026: (Remarks see Senate Journal Page ), Oct. 21, 2026
7. October 21, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 21, 2026 (50-0)
8. October 20, 2026: Re-reported as committed, Oct. 20, 2026
9. October 20, 2026: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 20, 2026
10. October 20, 2026: Second consideration, Oct. 20, 2026

Votes

• Senate Floor: HB961, RC 584 (October 21, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Appropriations: Re-Reported as Committed (October 20, 2026): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Game & Fisheries: Reported as Committed (October 19, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB961, RC 1521 (October 19, 2026): 203 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Floor: HB961, RC 1520 (October 19, 2026): 202 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Amended (October 19, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB961?

HB961 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

What does HB961 do?

In its own words: Amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

What is the status of HB961?

Signed into law as of October 22, 2026. Latest action: Act No. 69 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026 (October 22, 2026).

Who sponsored HB961?

Natalie Mihalek (R, 40), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB961?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb961