The following environmental and energy legislation was signed into law in 2019--

Eastern Hellbender: Senate Bill 9 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) designating the Eastern Hellbender as the state amphibian and clean water ambassador (House Fiscal Note and summary) signed into law as Act 3.  But we’re not done.

State Budget Bill Package: This is the package of budget-related bills signed by the Governor June 28.  Click Here for a summary of environmental funding provisions--

-- General Fund: House Bill 790 .  Click Here for available budget documents.

-- Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 712.  Click Here for a summary.

--Tax Code: House Bill 262. Click Here for a summary.

-- Administrative Code: House Bill 1461, but has no environmental provisions.

Valuing Water/Wastewater Systems: House Bill 751 (Roae-R-Crawford) further providing for the valuation of wastewater and water systems for ratemaking purposes, revising the definition of service line (Senate Fiscal Note and summary).  Signed into law as Act 53.

Ag Security Areas: 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). Signed into law as Act 33.

Farm Conservation Excellence Grants: Senate Bill 634 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which would establish the Farm Conservation Excellence Grant Program was amended and reported out of the House Appropriations Committee (Senate Fiscal Note and summary).  Signed into law as Act 39.

Beginning Farmer Tax Credit: Senate Bill 478 (Vogel-R-Butler) establishing the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit and making $5 million available for the program in FY 2019-20 (House Fiscal Note and summary). Signed into law as Act 65.

Farm Disaster Assistance: House Bill 1516 (Causer-R-Cameron) establishing an Agriculture Rapid Response Disaster Readiness Account (House Fiscal Note and summary).  Signed into law as Act 35.

Agri-Link Loan Program:  House Bill 1526 (Irvin-R-Huntingdon) establishes the Agriculture-Linked Investment Program for implementing best management practices (House Fiscal Note and summary). Signed into law as Act 37.

Temporarily Suspending Coal Refuse Operations: House Bill 1557 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) authorizing the temporary cessation of coal refuse disposal operations (Senate Fiscal Note & Summary) was signed into law as Act 74.

Keystone Tree Fund: House Bill 374 (Everett-R-Lycoming) creating the Keystone Tree Fund to support DCNR’s tree planting programs (Senate Fiscal Note & Summary) was signed into law as Act 78.

Allowing For Longer Shale Gas Laterals: Senate Bill 694 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) allowing for the accounting of natural gas production across longer Shale gas laterals (House Fiscal Note & Summary) was signed into law as Act 85.

Local PFAS Cleanup Funding: House Bill 1410 (Stephens-R-Montgomery) would use local funds which would otherwise pay state taxes for cleaning up PFAS contamination, rather than relying on responsible parties to pay for cleanups (Senate Fiscal Note & Summary).  Signed into law as Act 101.

Sunday Deer Hunting: Senate Bill 147 (Laughlin-R-Erie) allowing deer hunting on 3 Sundays a year. Signed into law as Act 107.

NewsClips:

300+ PA Environment & Energy NewClips Are Waiting To Be Read

Related Article:

Opportunity For Leadership: Senate, House Could Start 2020 With A Bang By Passing These Bipartisan Environmental, Energy Bills

[Posted: December 20, 2019]

12/23/2019