On June 11, the House unanimously voted to pass House Bill 374 (Everett-R- Lycoming) establishing the Keystone Tree Fund to support tree planting programs by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

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.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available.

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

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

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[Posted: June 11, 2019]

6/17/2019