Legislation expanding the tire recycling program was signed into law by Gov. Rendell this week and legislation on clean vehicles, eco-terrorism, water shutoffs, Small Business Centers and alternative fuels tax incentives saw action. Here’s a rundown.

On the Governor’s Desk

Tire Recycling: House Bill 1114 expanding the waste tire recycling program was signed by the Governor and is now Act 7.  NewsClip: Governor Signs Bill Requiring Registration of Tire Recycling Facilities

Senate

Clean Car Program: Senate Bill 1025 (Madigan-R-Bradford) that would establish a Pennsylvania Clean Car Program by providing options to automakers for compliance that includes both the California II and federal Tier II emissions standards was amended and passed by the Senate on a largely party-line vote of 27 to 20, Democrats voting against.

NewsClip: Rendell, Senate at Odds Over Vehicle Emissions

Eco-Terrorism: House Bill 213 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) establishing penalties for eco-terrorism was reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee and is awaiting action on the Senate Calendar.

Water Shutoff: House Bill 893 (Semmel-R-Berks) changing procedures for shutting off water for nonpayment of sewage bills was reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee, amended and reported back to Senate Appropriations.

Eminent Domain: House Bill 2054 (Grell-R-Cumberland) making changes to the eminent domain law in response to the Kelo Supreme Court decision was referred back to the Senate State Government Committee.

Small Business Centers: The Senate Community and Economic Development Committee was amended and reported out Senate Bill 1063 (Pileggi-R-Montgomery) providing additional funding to expand the PA Small Business Development Centers (Centers provide the EMAP environmental assistance services) and is awaiting action on the Senate Calendar.

House

Energy Tax Credits: House Bill 1964 (Ross-R-Chester) creating investment tax credits for qualified alternative energy generators was referred to and out of House Appropriations Committee and passed by the full House. It now goes to the Senate.

Vehicle Emissions Inspection: Rep. Casorio (D-Westmoreland) attempted to attach an amendment to House Bill 2374 on the floor that would impose a moratorium on the state’s vehicle emissions inspection program. The amendment failed by 79 to 118.

Bills Introduced

Public Review of DEP Documents: House Bill 2414 (Reed-R-Indiana) would amend the definition of “administrative regulation” in the Commonwealth Documents Law to include any DEP “manual, procedural manual, guideline, enforcement guideline, policy, strategy document, policy guidance manual or technical guidance manual or administrative opinion or legal opinion regarding the interpretation of a statute, court order or regulation used by the Department of Environmental Protection to implement a regulatory enforcement process” which would require this new set of documents to be reviewed by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

Eminent Domain: House Resolution 597 (Metcalfe-R-Butler) would memorialize Congress to adopt additional protections for property rights as a result of the Supreme Court’s Kelo decision.

2/17/2006