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

House 

Green State Buildings: House Bill 34 (Harper-R-Montgomery) setting green building standards for state-owned or state-leased buildings was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Capital Budget Reform: House Bill 493 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) Capital Budget/Project reform was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and was passed by the House.  A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.  The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Senate

Mine Drainage Reuse: Senate Bill 411 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) providing for the reuse of mine drainage as drilling fluids was amended and reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Natural Gas Use: Senate Resolution 29 (Yaw-R-Bradford) directing the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to study the potential for increased extension of natural gas distribution infrastructure by natural gas utilities to un-served and under-served areas was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. 

Stormwater Funding: Senate Bill 196 (D.White-R-Indiana) further authorizing PennVEST funding for stormwater management and non-point sources projects was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

EQB Counsel: Senate Bill 164 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) appointing independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board was Tabled.

2/18/2013