On June 4, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approved and reported out legislation on farm conservation other agriculture bills, including-- 

-- Farm Conservation Excellence Grants: Senate Bill 634 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing the Conservation Excellence Farm Conservation Grant Program, a bipartisan proposal included in Gov. Wolf’s PA Farm Bill proposal (sponsor summary) - amended;

-- Relinquish Residence Provision: House Bill 370 (Klunk-R-York) would amend the Agricultural Area Security Law to authorize farmland conservation owners to relinquish the right to establish a residence (House Fiscal Note and summary); and

-- Tree Of Heaven Noxious Weed: House Bill 404 (Lawrence-R-Chester) would add the tree of heaven preferred by the spotted lanternfly as a Class B noxious weed (House Fiscal Note and summary).  [Note: The Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee added tree of heaven to the Class B list on April 25.]

The bills now go to the full Senate for action.

Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3076 or sending email to: evogel@pasen.gov.  Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-8925 or sending email to: SenatorSchwank@pasenate.com.

Related Story:

House Agriculture Committee Reports Out Farm Conservation Bills

[Posted: June 4, 2019]

6/10/2019