A variety of environmental bills moved in and out of Committees and the Senate--

Tank Program Funding: Senate Resolution 125 (MJ White, Musto) that encouraging the federal government to earmark more funds to state storage tank regulatory program to help avoid a state tank registration fee increase, passed the Senate unanimously.

Scenic Byway: Senate Bill 721 (Lemmond-R-Luzerne) designating a portion of Route 6 in Wyoming County and Route 92 in Susquehanna County a scenic byway was passed by the Senate.

Tank Cleanup Program: Senate Bill 722 (Musto-D-Luzerne) extending the sunset date on the small heating oil tank cleanup program was reported from Senate Appropriations after a technical amendment and is now on the Senate Calendar.

Environmental Education: Senate Bill 410 (MJ White-R-Venango) creating the PA Center for Environmental Education in law was amended and is on the Senate Calendar.

Infrastructure Security Projects: House Bill 612 (Rubley-R-Chester) authorizing funding for water and sewage system security projects was referred to Senate Appropriations.

Ag Security Areas: House Bill 619 (Hershey-R-Chester) expanding the Agricultural Area Security Law to include horse training and stabling areas and Senate Bill 723 (Wenger-R-Lancaster) further defining how nonprofit entities could be involved in agricultural land preservation were referred to Senate Appropriations.

Energy Assistance: Senate Bill 12 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) expanding the energy assistance program was referred to Senate Appropriations.

ACRE Postponed: The House Agriculture Committee rescheduled consideration of House Bill 1646 (Hershey-R-Chester) that establishes an Agricultural Review Board (the Administration’s ACRE proposal) until on June 22.

6/17/2005