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

House

EQB Independent Counsel: House Bill 1099 (Maher-R-Allegheny) creating an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board (sponsor summary) was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Permit Extension: House Bill 1071 (Warner-R-Fayette) amends provisions extending existing approved environmental permits approved by July 2, 2013 to be extended without the need to reapply (sponsor summary) was reported out of the House Finance Committee and Tabled.

Senate

Nominations: Russell Redding was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Agriculture.  The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to recommend the confirmation of Cindy Dunn as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources.  The nomination now goes to the full Senate.

Ag Security Law: House Bill 188 (Sonney-R-Erie) authorizes wind energy projects on preserved farmland (House summary and Fiscal Note) was amended and reported out of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Leachate Trucking: Senate Bill 513 (McGarrigle-R-Delaware) providing for the truck transport of landfill leachate (sponsor summary) was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

5/18/2015