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

House
 

Drilling Moratorium: House Bill 2235 (Vitali-D-Delaware) imposing a 3 year moratorium on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in State Forests and requiring certain studies was passed by the House 157 to 33 and goes to the Senate for consideration.  The Senate is not expected to take up the bill.

Lake Erie Wind Farm:  House Bill 2342 (Hornaman-D-Erie) authorization the Department of General Services to lease 25 acres of submerged lands in Erie County for wind generation was amended and reported from the House State Government Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Tax Bill:  House Bill 2435 (D.Evans-D-Philadelphia) imposing taxes on tobacco products and a severance tax on natural gas production was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and Tabled.

Senate

Geologists: House Bill 975 (Adolph-R-Delaware) further providing for continuing education for professional geologists was passed by the Senate without amendment and now goes to the Governor for his action.

5/10/2010