The following Senate and House bills saw action this week--

Senate

Alternative Energy: Special Session Senate Bill 25 (Waugh-R-York) that would add a liquid paper making waste and make other changes to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee, amended and set to the House for a concurrence vote.

Blight Reclamation: Senate Bill 1291 (Rhoades-R-Schuylkill) providing for neighborhood blight reclamation and revitalization was referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.

Blight Reclamation: House Bill 2188 (Walko-D-Allegheny) providing court-appointed conservators to bring residential, commercial and industrial buildings up to municipal codes was amended on Third Consideration, passed by the Senate and returned to the House for a concurrence vote.

House

Snowmobiles: House Bill 2043 (Haluska-D-Cambria) making changes to the provisions requiring the registration of snowmobiles and ATVs was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate which has scheduled no more legislative voting days for the remainder of the year.

River Gauges: House Resolution 929 (Fairchild (R-Union) urging Congress to restore funding for the Susquehanna Flood Forecasting and Warning System was reported from the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and adopted by the House.

"This important stream gauge network provides important real-time data for flood forecasting and warning, drought monitoring, water quality monitoring, and recreational uses," Rep. Fairchild said. "Anyone who lives along a major river or has a business there knows how important it is to have accurate stream data and how critical it is to have enough time to prepare for rising waters."

"This resolution allows the Commonwealth to continue to maintain a much-needed proactive system which enables our state to address flooding and drought emergencies at a critical juncture before they occur -- and not in an ad Hoc manner as the disaster is upon us," Rep. Fairchild added.

Energy Prices: House Resolution 546 (George-D-Clearfield) urging Congress to investigate gas and energy prices to ensure they are both "necessary and ethically ascertained" was adopted by the House.

Water Resource Funding: House Resolution 719 (George-D-Clearfield) urging Congress to fund critical water resource projects in the mid-Atlantic region was adopted by the House.

Significant Developments: House Resolution 845 (Petrone-D-Allegheny) directing the Joint State Government Commission to reconstitute the task force and advisory committee which studies the Kilbuck Township landslide in Allegheny County and conduct an in-depth study of developments of regional significance and impact was adopted by the House.

Land Bank: House Bill 1774 (J.Taylor-R-Philadelphia) providing for the creation of land banks for the conversion of vacant or tax-delinquent properties into productive use was reported from the House Urban Affairs Committee, Tabled and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

"With the national sub-prime mortgage crisis, the abandonment of properties continues to be an important issue that we must deal with," Rep. Saylor (R-York) said. "Abandoned properties are a safety hazard, a crime attractor and a blemish on the faces of our communities. Perhaps worst of all, abandoned properties represent missed economic opportunities. By rebuilding and renewing vacant properties, we can rebuild our local communities and spur job creation."

10/10/2008