The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Friday reported out bills providing for the safe destruction of unwanted or unused prescription drugs, creating a private dam financial assurance program and a resolution calling for a review of the state’s program to regulate the beneficial use of sewage sludge.

The bills include:

-- House Bill 1737 (Maher-R-Allegheny) amending the state law regulating household hazardous waste collection events to provide for the safe destruction of unwanted, expired or unwanted prescription drugs collected from households (sponsor summary);

-- House Bill 1712 (R.Brown-R-Monroe) establishing a Private Dam Financial Assurance Program (sponsor summary);

-- House Bill 1103 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) amending the Stormwater Management Act to exempt temporary seasonal greenhouse structures known as “high tunnels” on farms from the requirements of the Act (sponsor summary) on a largely party-line vote; and

-- House Resolution 60 (Emrick-R-Northampton) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s program to regulate the beneficial use of sewage sludge by land application (sponsor summary) with an amendment adding all beneficial uses of sewage sludge.

The bills now go to the full House for consideration.

Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: jmaher@pahousegop.com.   Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contact by sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.

12/21/2015