In spite of the Senate and House focus on the pay raise repeal issue this week, a number of environmental bills did move. Here’s a quick rundown.

Senate

In-Lieu of Tax Payments: Senate Bill 868 (Scarnati-R-Warren) increasing the in-lieu of tax payments for State Forest Land was passed by the full Senate.

Forestry Task Force: Senate Resolution 137 (Madigan-R-Bradford) re-establishing the Forestry Task Force supported by the Joint Legislative Air & Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee was adopted by the Senate and now moves to the House.

Eco-Terrorism: House Bill 213 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) adding the offense of eco-terrorism as a crime was reported from Senate Judiciary Committee after being amended.

Waste Tire Recycling: House Bill 1114 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) amends the Waste Tire Recycling Act was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Snowmobile Registration: Senate Bill 995 (MJ White-R-Venango) amending the ATV/Snowmobile registration requirements was reported from and referred back to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Eminent Domain: The Senate Appropriations Committee reported out Senate Bill 881 (Piccola-R-Dauphin) and Senate Bill 897 (Brightbill-R-Lebanon) making changes to the Eminent Domain Code in response to the U.S. Supreme Court Kelo decision, after being amended and are both on the Senate Calendar for action. NewsClip: Eminent Domain Bill Delayed

House

Federal Reclamation Fund: House Resolution 382, a concurrent resolution urging Congress to reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, was passed by the House and now moves to the Senate for action.

Bills Introduced

These environmental bills were introduced this week

Clean Water Penalties: House Bill 2214 (Readshaw-D-Allegheny) would increase penalties for violating permit conditions to $75,000 per violation from $50,000.

Heating Assistance: House Bill 2216 (Allen-R-Schuylkill) providing additional funding for Low-Income Heating Assistance.

Deep Mine Safety: House Bill 2229 (Bastian-R-Somerset) amending the Bituminous Coal Mine Act to put in place additional safety measures prompted by the Quecreek Mine Accident in July 2002.

Hybrid Exemption: Senate Bill 1015 (LaValle-D-Beaver) exempting hybrid electric vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 40 mpg or greater from inspection requirements.

11/18/2005