The following bills of interest saw action in the House and Senate this week—

Senate

Energy Office: Special Session House Bill 36 (George-D-Clearfield) establishing a State Energy Office to promote energy development and conservation, was amended and reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Calendar for action.

Elm Street/Main Street Programs: House Bill 420 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) providing for downtown reinvestment area grants under the Main Street Program and House Bill 2233 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) extending the Elm Street Program were both reported from the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee are now on the Calendar for action.

Scrap Metal Theft: House Bill 1742 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) providing penalties for the theft of scrap metals was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Calendar for action.

House

Mercury Thermostats: House Bill 44 (Rubley-R-Chester) banning the sale of thermostats containing mercury was passed by the House and has been scheduled for action by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on September 23.

"Because mercury recycling provisions are not mandated and since there are no public awareness programs, many old mercury thermometers are being improperly disposed of in incinerators and landfills, where they will likely break and leach into the soil, air and water," said Rep. Rubley. "My bill will create a public awareness program to encourage drop-off locations for consumers to return old mercury thermostats at their convenience when they go to their home improvement centers."

Elk Damage: House Bill 2575 (Hanna-R-Clinton) providing for fencing and payment for damage farmers suffer caused by elk was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Biomass Energy: House Bill 664 (George-D-Clearfield) creating a tax exemption for biomass products used for home heating was reported from the House Rules Committee, Tabled and referred to House Appropriations Committee.

Litter Education: House Bill 1319 (Siptroth-D-Monroe) providing for an acknowledgement of litter fines and penalties on learner’s permit and driver’s license applications was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Stormwater Planning: House Bill 2266 (Steil-R-Bucks) providing for watershed-based stormwater planning was reported from the House Rules Committee, Tabled and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Guaranteed Energy Savings: House Bill 2559 (Petrone-D-Allegheny) making changes to the guaranteed energy savings contract provisions was amended and reported from the House Urban Affairs Committee, Tabled and referred to House Appropriations Committee.

Infrastructure Funding: House Bill 2638 (McCall-D-Carbon) creating the Legacy Account Program to fund certain infrastructure and education facility improvements was reported from the House Rules Committee and re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Fair Share Nutrient Reduction Program: House Bill 2656 (Hanna-D-Clinton) establishing the Fair Share Nutrient Reduction Assistance Program was reported from the House Rules Committee and re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Extending Rate Caps: Special Session House Bill 54 (George-D-Clearfield) that would extend electric rate caps was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Tabled and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Siting Landfills: House Bill 1164 (Wansacz-D-Luzerne) setting sitting criteria for landfills near State Parks was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Tabled and referred to House Appropriations Committee.

Energy Assistance: House Resolution 848 (Waters-D-Philadelphia) urging the President and Congress to increase funding for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.

Subpoena Power: House Resolution 843 (George-D-Clearfield) authorizing the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to investigate all aspects of the Governor’s Energy Initiative was reported of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.

9/19/2008