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

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]

Bill Calendars

House (April 8): House Bill 491 (Young-D-Philadelphia) providing for energy efficiency plans that include mechanical insulation;  House Resolution 196 (Matzie-D-Beaver) designating the week of September 18-24, 2023 Rail Safety Week; House Resolution 228 (Otten-D-Chester) designating the week of October 1 through 7, 2023, as "Climate Week" in Pennsylvania. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (April 8): Senate Bill 1058 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) abrogating the final regulation reducing carbon pollution from power plants [RGGI];  Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) would direct the state to apply for primary authority to regulate Class VI carbon dioxide underground injection wells from the US Environmental Protection Agency and establish a legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization and sequestration in Pennsylvania; Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing an Independent Energy Office; Senate Bill 819 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) increasing penalties for individuals that damage “critical infrastructure” being constructed or built, including electric utility, natural gas pipelines and compressor stations, gas processing plants, natural gas storage facilities;  House Bill 1246 (Malagari-D-Montgomery) set operational temperatures for crematories. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting

House

-- April 8-- House Transportation Committee meets to consider House Bill 2184 (Neilson-D-Philadelphia) setting annual fees on electric vehicles (sponsor summary). Room 523  Irvis Building. 10:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch live.

-- April 8-- House Republican Policy Committee hearing on “Fueling Pennsylvania’s Future - Liquid Natural Gas” Exports.  Room 418 Main Capitol. 10:30 a.m.  Click Here to check online availability.  [Read more here about how PA’s largest gas producer thinks it’s our “duty” to send LNG Gas to support our major competitor China.]

-- April 9-- House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 1943 (McNeill-D-Lehigh) requires disclosure of all chemicals used in oil and gas well fracking (sponsor summary).  Room 205 Ryan Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

-- April 9-- House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee meets to consider a package of bills related to acquisition of water and sewer systems - House Bill 1862 (Matzie-D-Beaver), House Bill 1863 (Matzie-D-Beaver) and House Bill 1864 (Matzie-D- Beaver), House Bill 1865 (Matzie-D-Beaver)  (sponsor summary).  Room G-50 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

-- April 9-- House State Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1169 (Warren-D- Bucks) requiring the installation of water bottle refilling stations in state buildings (sponsor summary). Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

April 8-- Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) would direct the state to apply for primary authority to regulate Class VI carbon dioxide underground injection wells from the US Environmental Protection Agency and establish a legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization and sequestration in Pennsylvania [Read more here about the bill];  Senate Bill 819 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) increasing penalties for individuals that damage “critical infrastructure” being constructed or built, including electric utility, natural gas pipelines and compressor stations, gas processing plants, natural gas storage facilities  [Note: This legislation was originally developed after the public protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline [Read more here].  Rules Committee Room.  Off the Flood - Sometime After Session Begins.  [No Video Coverage]

April 17-- Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the environmental and public health impacts associated with the practice of spreading oil and gas drilling waste, known as brine, on Pennsylvania's roads for dust control and ice management.  Valley Township Building, 1145 W. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, Chester County.  11:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  Read more here about the issue.

<>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Introduced

Clean Energy Investments Act:  Senate Bill 15 (Comitta-D-Chester) establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program limiting pollution from power plants, establishing Environmental Justice Communities and Energy Communities trust funds, creating an energy efficiency incentive program (sponsor summary).

International Dark Skies Week: Senate Resolution 253 (Comitta-D-Chester) recognizing International Dark Skies Week In PA-- April 2-8--  and Pennsylvania’s dark sky viewing areas (sponsor summary).

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--

House

April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30

May 1, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22

June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Senate

April 8, 9, 10, 29, 30

May 1, 6, 7, 8

June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

[Posted: April 7, 2024]

4/8/2024