The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

Weakening Conventional Drilling Protections: Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) that would significantly reduce requirements for protecting the environment from conventional oil and gas drilling. Governor’s Veto #17.  Read more here.

‘Look But Don’t Touch’ Pipeline Planning: House Bill 2293 (Quinn-R-Delaware) that requires pipeline companies to make emergency response plans available to the Public Utility Commission, the PA Emergency Management Agency and county emergency management director where the pipeline is located, but does not allow them to change or point out deficiencies in the plan. This bill is similar to Senate Bill 258 (Dinniman-D-Chester), a bipartisan initiative on the same issue. Governor signed bill into law as Act 130.  Read more here.

Plastics To Fuel: House Bill 1808 (Mackenzie-R-Lehigh) further provides for the recycling of plastics by making it into fuel. Governor signed bill into law as Act 127.  Read more here.

General Fund Budget: Senate Bill 1350 (Browne-R-Lehigh) completes the FY 2020-21 General Fund budget (House Fiscal Note and Summary).  Read more here.  Governor signed bill into law as Act 17A.

Fiscal Code: House Bill 2536 (James-R-Venango) amendments to Fiscal Code to accompany the FY 2020-21 budget (Senate Fiscal Note & Summary).  Read more here.  Governor signed bill into law as Act 114.

Land Bank Environmental Liability: House Bill 1737 (Gleim-R-Cumberland) originally provided protection from environmental liability for land banks as they redevelop properties, however, it was amended in the Senate to add provisions protecting businesses, schools, health care providers and others who follow state and federal COVID health directives from lawsuits for actions they take during the pandemic.  Read more here.  [Note: Gov. Wolf is likely to veto this bill.  Read more here.]

11/30/2020