Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban soon could become a thing of the past.

House Bill 1431, which would fully repeal the ban, passed the state Senate Thursday by a 34-16 vote. Introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, the bill passed the state House of Representatives on June 11.

The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for a final vote on concurrence. If approved again, it would go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

On behalf of Pennsylvania’s hunters, Game Commission executive director Steve Smith expressed his gratitude to the Senate, with particular thanks to Senate Game and Fisheries committee chair Sen. Greg Rothman, and Sen. Dan Laughlin, who has led the charge on this issue for years.

“Thanks to their leadership and commitment, Pennsylvania hunters are now on the brink of gaining the opportunity to hunt on additional Sundays,” Smith said.

While Pennsylvania long has had Sunday hunting opportunities for foxes, coyotes and crows, and Act 107 of 2019 cleared the way for additional hunting on three designated Sundays, Sunday hunting otherwise is prohibited, one of the last remnants of the state’s “blue laws.”

If House Bill 1431 becomes law, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, through its appointed Board of Commissioners, will be authorized to implement additional Sunday hunting opportunities.

Most local senators voted in favor of the bill, except for Lisa Boscola, who voted against the measure.