The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Environment & Energy NewsClips--

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA’s New Climate Rule Met With Applause, Court Threats Upon Finalization

-- House Environmental Committee To Hold April 25 Info. Meeting On Republican Package Of Bills Attempting To Address Local Flooding  [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Stream Maintenance Package Proposed By House Republicans

-- House Environmental Committee Meets April 26 To Consider Solar/Wind Energy Bonding, Windmill Interference Bills  [PaEN]

-- The Center Square: Despite Setbacks, Carbon Capture May Come To Pennsylvania

-- Williamsport Sun: State Representatives Discuss Need For Conservation Funding At Lycoming County Conservation District Dinner

-- Erie Times: We Can’t Take Freedom For Granted - Self-Interview With Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jake Corman [One Question On Environment, Climate]

-- TribLive Editorial: Earth Day Is No Time For Politics

Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics Last Week--

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN]

On The Governor’s Desk

The following bill was given final action by the Senate and House and now is on the Governor’s desk for his action--

Open Space Maintenance Funding: House Bill 221 (R-Monroe) authorizes use of a portion of open space funding for maintenance purposes [Senate Fiscal Note & Summary] was signed into law as Act 15.

Bill Calendars

NEW!  House Republican Expected House Floor Action

House (April 25): House Bill 1161 (Mizgorski-R- Allegheny) authorizing the establishment of a local solar energy subscriber program [not preferred by clean energy advocates Read more here];  House Bill 2069 (Cutler-R- Lancaster) Amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the governor’s approval or disapproval [Read more here]; House Bill 2070 (Cutler- R-Lancaster) Amend Article IV, to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly [Read more here];  House Resolution 74 (Daley-D-Montgomery) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of wildlife conservation corridors  <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (May 23): Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House   

April 25--  House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds informational meeting on a package of eight bills that attempt to address localized flooding problems by digging out stream channels and not through natural stream restoration techniques designed to prevent flooding and debris build up. Room G-50 of the Irvis Building starting at 8:30 a.m..   Click Here to watch online.  Click Here to read more on the agenda.

April 26--  House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on House Bill 2104 (Rapp-R-Forest) setting statewide bonding and decommissioning requirements for solar and wind energy facilities.  The bill also preempts local governments from adopting their own regulations; House Bill 2367 (Mako-R-Northampton) prohibiting the construction of wind energy facilities that negatively affect military installation’s airspace, flight paths or training.  Room G-50 of the Irvis Building starting at the Call of the Chair-- sometime after the House convenes.  Click Here to watch online.   Click Here to read more on the agenda. 

April 27-- House Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1462 (T.Davis-D-Bucks) requiring municipalities to notify property owners of changes in FEMA special flood hazard area maps. Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

April 27-- House State Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 811 (Cox-R-Berks)  removing future employees of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission from the state employees retirement system.  Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

 <>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate

May 23, 24, 25

June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

House

April 25, 26, 27

May 23, 24, 25

June 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21

October 24, 25, 26

November 14, 15, 16

[Posted: April 24, 2022]

4/25/2022