Several environmental bills were signed into law and one vetoed this week by Gov. Rendell. His desk is now clear of bills passed before summer adjournment of the General Assembly. Here’s the rundown….

State Budget Related Tax Changes: The state budget is in House Bill 2499 (now Act 2A) and the related tax bills implementing budget agreements are in House Bill 859 (Tax Code now Act 116), Senate Bill 300 (Tax Code now Act 67), House Bill 1992 (Fiscal Code now Act 66) and House Bill 185 (Education now Act 116).

Environmental Capital Budget: House Bill 2317 (Feese-R-Lycoming) establishing the 2005-2006 Capital Budget for flood control, Keystone Recreation and Environmental Stewardship projects was signed into law as Act 83.

Storage Tanks: House Bill 1195 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) that makes changes to the program to help underground tank owners upgrade tanks was vetoed by Gov. Rendell saying the expansion of the tank programs it contains were not supported by additional revenues. NewsClip: Governor Vetoes House Bill 1195

Oil and Gas Leases: Senate Bill 594 (MJ White-R-Venango) establishing the Dormant Oil and Gas Act to create trusts for prior oil and gas well owners was signed into law as Act 115. NewsClip: Governor Signs Senate Bill 594.

Penalties for Non-Native Fish: House Bill 1320 (Reichley-R-Berks) establishing penalties for the sale, transport, possession or release of non-native injurious fish was signed into law as Act 75.

7/14/2006