Penalty for killing bald eagles in Pa. increases to $2K

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The penalty for killing a bald eagle in Pennsylvania just became 10 times more expensive.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed into law Senate Bill 709, which increases fines from $200 to $2,000 for killing a bald eagle in the commonwealth.

State Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, sponsored the bill. LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to her for comment.

The state House of Representatives passed the bill with overwhelming support, 171-30, in mid-April. First introduced by Boscola in 2015, the measure was approved by the Senate last July before an almost unanimous vote, with only two opposing, by the House Game & Fisheries Committee.

In addition to increasing the fine, the law also directs any money collected toward bald and golden eagle conservation efforts across the commonwealth.

“The bald eagle holds immense representation on seals, buildings, monuments and state flags, including ours," Boscola said previously. “It is our commonwealth’s duty to ensure their continued presence in our skies.”

While conservation efforts have worked to help rebound threatened and endangered eagles in recent years — bald eagles were removed from the nation's list of threatened and endangered species in 2007 — the raptors still face threats from lead poisoning and poaching.

There are federal protections in place that would apply to poachers on top of any state penalties — The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Enacted in 1940, the act prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from "taking" bald or golden eagles, including their parts (as well as feathers), nests or eggs. A violation of the act can result in a fine of $100,000 ($200,000 for organizations), imprisonment for one year, or both, for a first offense.

The law goes into effect in 60 days from the date of enactment.