Here’s the rundown of what’s on the calendars and in committees—

Calendars

The House will start with these bills of interest on its May 1 Calendar-- House Bill 1588 providing for the fluoridation of public water; and House Bill 2067 setting limits on state spending through a constitutional amendment.

The Senate has these environmental bills on its Calendar-- Senate Bill 266 providing a Sales and Use Tax exemption on purchases of energy efficient appliances meeting the Energy Star standards.

Committees

In the House, the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds an informational meeting on the status of State Water Resources Planning; and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee meets to consider House Bill 243 to provide premium assistance for property owners eligible for federal flood insurance.

In the Senate, the Rules & Executive Nominations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 723 providing for definitions and legislative report under the Agricultural Area Security law; and the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds a second hearing on reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.

There will be a joint Senate/House Agriculture Committees informational meeting to discuss conservation issues and the 2007 Federal Farm Bill this week.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The Senate and House were both in session this week and as a result bills and resolutions were flying around. Here’s the rundown.

Senate

Downtown Relocation Law: House Bill 218 (Reed-D-Indiana) redefines “downtown” in law requiring the Commonwealth to look at locating state offices in downtown areas passed the Senate and returns to the House for a concurrence vote.

Watershed Awareness Month: Senate Resolution 291 sponsored by Sen. Rhoades (R-Schuylkill), Sen. Musto (D-Luzerne), Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) designating May as “Watershed Awareness Month” was adopted unanimously by the Senate.

Drinking Water Month: Senate Resolution 259 (sponsored by Sen. Musto-D-Luzerne, and Sen. Mary Jo White-R-Venango) designating May 7-13 as “Drinking Water Week” was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Energy Efficient Appliances: Senate Bill 266 (C.Willliams-D-Montgomery) providing a Sales and Use Tax exemption on purchases of energy efficient appliances meeting the Energy Star standards was reported from Senate Rules and Nominations Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.

House

Agricultural Security Areas: Senate Bill 723 (Wenger-R-Lancaster) providing for definitions and legislative report under the Agricultural Area Security law was passed by the House and now goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote.

Spill Response: House Bill 2169 (McGill-R-Montgomery) providing definitions for terms related to responding to accidents and spills on highways was referred to House Appropriations.

Fireworks: House Bill 2349 (Scavello-R-Monroe) adding a definition of “consumer fireworks” to the Fireworks Law was referred to House Appropriations.

Clean Streams Penalties: House Bill 2042 (Reichley-R-Berks) increasing penalties under the Clean Streams Law, was reported out of the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, after an amendment making corporate liability provisions consistent with commercial provisions, and was referred to House Appropriations.

Storage Tanks: House Bill 1195 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) that makes changes to the program to help underground tank owners upgrade tanks was reported out of the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.

In-Lieu of Tax Payments: Senate Bill 868 (Scarnati-R-Warren) increasing the forest land in-lieu of tax payment, after an amendment making the provisions effective no later than July 1 was reported out of the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.

Lyme Disease: House Resolution 661 (E.Z.Taylor-R-Chester) designating May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month was adopted by the House.

Watershed Awareness Month: House Resolution 711 (Adolph-R-Delaware, George-D-Clearfield) designating May as Watershed Awareness Month was adopted by the House.

Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Funding: House Resolution 719 (Markosek-D-Allegheny) urging Congress to reauthorize the federal abandoned mine reclamation fee was adopted by the House, the second resolution this year on this topic.

Whole Foods Market Day: House Resolution 671 (Killion-R-Chester) designating April 19 as “Whole Foods Market Day” and was adopted by the House.

4/28/2006