The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

House

Local Clean Energy Funding: Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna), Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program, that authorizes local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs (Senate Fiscal Note and summary) was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and was passed by the House 163 to 28.  The bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

Native Plants: House Bill 2131 (Quigley-R-Montgomery) encouraging PennDOT to plant native vegetation along highways was amended and reported from the House Transportation Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

125th Anniversary: House Resolution 901 (Harper-R-Montgomery) recognizing the 125th anniversary of the State Park and State Forest systems was adopted by the House (sponsor summary).

Lyme Disease: House Resolution 941 (R.Brown-R-Monroe) designating May as Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania was adopted by the House (sponsor summary).

Rainforest Month: House Resolution 895 (Donatucci-D-Delaware) recognizing May as Rainforest Awareness Month was adopted by the House (sponsor summary). 

Senate

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Senate Bill 652 (Regan-R-Cumberland) increasing penalties for trespass on critical infrastructure facilities was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee, amended on the Floor and was passed by the Senate by a vote of 28 to 20.  The bill now goes to the House for action.

Farm Animal Advisory Board: Senate Bill 1171 (Brooks-R-Crawford) establishing the Farm Animal Advisory Board from the Nutrient Management Advisory Board and expanding its ability to review regulations [no mention how this Board would relate or be duplicative of the existing DEP Agricultural Advisory Board] was amended and reported from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Agritourism: Senate Bill 819 (Aument-R-Lancaster) amending the Agricultural Security Law to provide for agritourism uses on protected land was amended and reported from the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

125th Anniversary: Senate Resolution 366 (Baker-R-Luzerne) recognizing the 125th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests (sponsor summary) was adopted by the Senate.

5/28/2018