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

Senate

Stormwater Management: Senate Bill 351 (Erickson-R-Delaware) authorizing municipal authorities to undertake stormwater management projects was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and was passed by the Senate.  A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available.  The bill now goes to the House for action.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued this statement following passage of Senate Bill 351, a stormwater bill introduced by Senator Erickson. The Bill was passed nearly unanimously with a vote of 49 in favor and only 1 opposed.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation supports Senate Bill 351 and commends the Senate for its decisive passage of this important piece of legislation. This Bill specifically empowers local governments to establish stormwater authorities to address local stormwater needs, such as maintenance and improvement projects.  Passage of this Bill will allow cash strapped local governments to generate necessary funding targeted for local infrastructure, including projects that prevent local flooding and property damage.

“Stormwater runoff is one of the largest sources of pollution to Pennsylvania rivers and streams, including those that drain to the Chesapeake Bay. Improperly managed runoff from aging and inadequate infrastructure is also a contributing factor to the devastating effects of flooding, especially within the Susquehanna River Basin, which is known to be one of the most flood prone river systems in the United States. By improving and maintaining local stormwater infrastructure our communities will be better able to protect properties from the devastating effects of flooding while at the same time improving water quality and reducing human health and welfare risks.

“While we’ve made progress implementing Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Blueprint for the Chesapeake Bay, successfully reducing stormwater pollution remains a significant challenge. This legislation authorizes local communities to use another tool to meet local and regional clean water obligations.

“CBF encourages the House to pick up this piece of legislation and keep the process moving forward.  Senate Bill 351 is imperative to enable local governments to address the issue of stormwater in the Commonwealth’s local communities.”

Stormwater/Nonpoint Source Funding: Senate Bill 196 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing PennVEST to fund stormwater management and nonpoint source projects was passed by the Senate and now goes to the House for action.  A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available.

Lyme Disease: Senate Bill 177 (Greenleaf-R- Montgomery) establishing a task force on Lyme disease and related maladies was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available.

Capital Budget: Senate Bill 680 (Corman-R-Centre) itemized project list for FY 2012-13 Capital Budget was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available.

House

Permit Extensions: House Bill 784 (Evankovich-R-Armstrong) authorizing the extension of environmental permit and other approvals for construction projects approved between December 31, 2008 and ending July 2, 2016 was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for action.  A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.

Natural Gas Tax Credits: House Bill 301 (Saylor-R-York) providing for $25 million in natural gas vehicle fleet tax credits-- a summary and House Fiscal Note are available, House Bill 305 (Denlinger-R-Lancaster) providing for $5 million in natural gas corridor tax credits-- a summary and House Fiscal Note are available, and House Bill 309 (Grove-R-York) providing for $30 million in natural gas vehicle tax credits-- a summary and House Fiscal Note are available-- were amended on the House Floor and referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and were passed by the House.   The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.

"We don't have a problem with efforts to promote consumption of cleaner-burning natural gas fuel, but we have a problem with how the Republicans would pay for that," Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Centre) said.

"They propose to suck millions of dollars out of the state budget,"  Rep. Frank Dermody  (D-Allegheny) said. "That money will be taken from schools, health care, public safety, environmental protection and other critical programs. The natural gas industry itself ought to bear the cost of this kind of effort that will ultimately help its bottom line."

"For every new tax credit that the Republicans vote to create, the question must be asked: how is the state going to pay for that?" Rep. Hanna said. "Special treatment for wealthy special interests is a fast way to bust a budget."

NewsClips:

House OKs Tax Breaks For Natural Gas Vehicles

House Bills Would Give Millions To Promote Natural Gas Use

Natural Gas Powering PA’s Transportation Sector

COLTS Wants Natural Gas-Powered Fleet

Editorial: COLTS Great Candidate For Gas Fleet

Natural Gas Conversions: House Bill 302 (Moul-R-Adams) transferring funds from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to DEP for a competitive grant program to convert small mass transit bus fleets to natural gas, House Bill 303 (Moul-R-Adams) transferring funds from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to DEP for a competitive grant program to convert large mass transit fleets to natural gas, House Bill 306 (Pickett-R- Bradford) redirecting the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund to create the Keystone Fuel Incentive Program to fund conversions of vehicles to natural gas, House Bill 307 (Evankovich-R- Armstrong) amending the Air Pollution Control Act to eliminate duplication of certification for natural gas vehicles, House Bill 308 (Saylor-R-York) redirecting $6 million annually from the Clean Air Fund to finance vehicle conversions to natural gas were removed from the Table and are now on the House Calendar for action.

Natural Gas Conversions II: House Bill 304 (Marshall-R-Beaver) provides for the purchase of natural gas-fueled transit buses was amended and reported from the House Transportation Committee and Tabled.

Appalachian Trail License: House Bill 770 (Adolph-R- Delaware) authorizing an Appalachian Trail vehicle license plate was amended and reported from the House Transportation Committee and Tabled.

4/22/2013