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 8 Calendar-- House Bill 1588 providing for the fluoridation of public water; and House Bill 2067 setting limits on state spending through a constitutional amendment. Senate Bill 868 increasing the forest land in-lieu of tax payment,

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.

On the Governor’s Desk

Farmland Preservation: the Senate and House took final action on Senate Bill 723 (Wenger-R-Lancaster) providing for definitions and legislative report under the Agricultural Area Security law and it now goes to the Governor for his action, after it is signed in both Chambers.

Community Facility Grants/Film Credits: House Bill 983 (T.Stevenson-R-Allegheny) revising procedures for Community Facilities Grants and making changes to the film production tax credit was approved by the Senate and sent to the Governor for his action.

Downtown Relocation Law: The House concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 218 (Reed-D-Indiana) which requires the Commonwealth to look at locating state offices in downtown areas and the bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

Senate

New Budget Rule: Senate Resolution 159 (Brightbill-R-Lebanon) requiring any budget amendment increasing spending to have an off-setting reduction in spending for the 2006-07 budget was adopted by the Senate.

Drinking Water Week: 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 adopted by the Senate.

NewsClip: Gov. Rendell Declares Safe Drinking Water Week

House

Tax Incentives for Land Conservation: House Bill 1895 (Fairchild-R-Union) proposing a constitutional amendment to provide tax incentives for land conservation was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for action.

Spill Response: House Bill 2169 (McGill-R-Montgomery) providing definitions for terms related to responding to accidents and spills on highways was passed by the House and goes to the Senate.

Clean Streams Penalties: House Bill 2042 (Reichley-R-Berks) increasing penalties under the Clean Streams Law, was passed by the House and goes to the Senate for action.

Rubberized Asphalt: House Resolution 456 (R.Miller-R-York) directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the use of rubberized asphalt in other states and how it could contribute to solving the used tire problem in Pennsylvania was adopted by the House.

Hiking Week: House Resolution 680 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) designating the week of May 27 through June 4 as “Pennsylvania Hiking Week” was adopted by the House.

Arbor Day: House Resolution 706 (Marsico-R-Dauphin) designating April 28 as “Arbor Day” was adopted by the House.

Bike to Work: House Resolution 747 (Baldwin-R-Lancaster) designating May as “National Bike Month” and May 15 through 19 as “Bike to Work Week” and May 19 as “Bike to Work Day” was adopted by the House.

Rachel Carson Day: The House adopted House Resolution 702 (Josephs-D-Philadelphia) designing May 27 as Rachel Carson Day in recognition of the birthday of the author and environmentalist from Springdale, Allegheny County. She would have been 99 this year.

Flood Insurance: the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee reported out House Bill 243 (Semmel-R-Berks) to provide premium assistance for property owners eligible for federal flood insurance.

In-Lieu of Tax Payments: Senate Bill 868 (Scarnati-R-Warren) increasing the forest land in-lieu of tax payments was referred to and reported from House Appropriations.

Land Trust Reimbursements: Senate Bill 940 (Waugh-R-York) which would set aside up to $200,000 per year from the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund to reimburse Land Trusts for expenses incurred in acquiring agricultural conservation easements 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 was referred to House Appropriations.

Bills Introduced

Mercury Thermostats: House Bill 2658 (Rubley-R-Chester) prohibiting the same and restricting the disposal of thermostats containing mercury.

Hunting/Fishing Day: House Resolution 746 (E.Z.Taylor-R-Chester) designating September 23 as “National Hunting and Fishing Day.”

5/5/2006