The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

NOTE: Still no movement on bipartisan pipeline safety legislation.  Read more here.

Senate

Farmland Preservation: Senate Bill 881 (Martin-R-Lancaster) would allow a portion of existing farmland preservation funding to be used by land trusts (Senate Fiscal Note & Summary) was passed by the Senate and now goes to the House for consideration.  [Sen. Hutchinson (R-Venango) was the only Senator to vote against the bill.]

Air Quality Advisory Committee Membership: Senate Bill 1173 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) eliminating appointment of DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee members by the Governor and changing it to appointments made by the House, Senate and the Governor (sponsor summary) [Read more here] was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Open Space Maintenance: House Bill 908 (Rader-R-Monroe) authorizing local governments to use a portion of open space preservation funding for maintenance (House Fiscal Note & Summary) was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

9/28/2020