On February 19, the House Transportation Committee approved and reported out House Bill 374 (Everett-R- Lycoming) establishing the Keystone Tree Fund to support tree planting programs by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on February 19.

The bill authorizes a voluntary $3 checkoff on drivers and vehicle license applications to support a new Keystone Tree Fund to provide funding to DCNR’s TreeVitalize Program (40 percent) and for Riparian Forest Buffer Grants (60 percent).

The new Fund is intended to supplement the existing capacity of these programs (sponsor summary).

A companion bill is pending in the Senate-- Senate Bill 108 (Yaw-R-Lycoming).

The bill now goes to the full House for action.

Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3431 or by sending email to: henness@pahousegop.com. Rep. Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3589 or by sending email to: mcarroll@pahouse.net.

(Photo: Rep. Garth Everett, prime sponsor.)

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[Posted: Feb. 19, 2019]

2/25/2019