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

House/Senate Bills Moving

Senate

Carbon Sequestration Framework:  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] was passed by the Senate 30 to 20 by a slight mix of Republicans and Democrats and now goes to the House for action.

NewsClips:

-- AP: PA Senate Approves Legislation To Attract, Approve Carbon Capture Wells

-- Sen. Yaw: Senate OKs Legislation Setting Legal Framework For Carbon Capture Sequestration

Increase Penalties For Damaging Critical Infrastructure: 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 was passed by the Senate 32 to 18 by a slight mix of Republicans and Democrats and now goes to the House for action.  [House Fiscal Note & Summary]  [Note: This legislation was originally developed after the public protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline [Read more here]

NewsClip:

-- Sen. Yaw: Bill To Increase Penalties Against Attacks On Critical Infrastructure Approved By Senate

House

Mechanical Insulation:  House Bill 491 (Young-D-Young) including “mechanical insulation” in energy efficiency programs was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the House 201-0.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Electric Vehicle Fees: Senate Bill 656 (Rothman-R-Cumberland) setting electric vehicle fees was amended in the House Appropriations Committee, reported out and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Lake Erie Wind Leasing: House Bill 254 (Merski-D-Erie) leasing certain areas of Lake Erie for wind energy development (sponsor summary) was removed from the Table and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Fracking Chemical Disclosure: House Bill 1943 (McNeill-D-Lehigh) requires disclosure of all chemicals used in oil and gas wells before fracking (sponsor summary) was amended with a “gut-and-replace” amendment and reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee along mostly party-lines-- Democrats supporting-- and Tabled.

NewsClip:

-- McNeill Chemical Disclosure Bill Voted Out Of House Environmental Committee

Public Water/Sewer System Acquisition Bills: 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)--  package of bills related to acquisition of water and sewer systems-- were each amended and reported out of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and Tabled.

NewsClip:

-- House Committee Approves Bills To Protect Ratepayers In Municipal Water/Sewer System Sales

Water Bottle Refilling Stations: House Bill 1169 (Warren-D- Bucks) requiring the installation of water bottle refilling stations in state buildings (sponsor summary) was amended and reported out of the House State Government Committee and Tabled.

NewsClip:

-- Warren Bill To Help Reduce Single-Use Plastic Bottle Clears House Committee

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 15): House Bill 254 (Merski-D-Erie) leasing certain areas of Lake Erie for wind energy development (sponsor summary); 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;  Senate Bill 656 (Rothman-R-Cumberland) setting electric vehicle fees. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (April 29): Senate Bill 1058 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) abrogating the final regulation reducing carbon pollution from power plants [RGGI]; Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing an Independent Energy Office;  House Bill 1246 (Malagari-D-Montgomery) set operational temperatures for crematories. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. 

Committee Meetings

House

April 16-- House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee meets to consider House Bill 1615 (O’Mara-D-Delaware) setting energy efficiency standards for certain commercial and residential appliances.  Room G-50 Irvis Building.  10:00 a.m.   Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

April 17-- Virtual. 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.  11:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  Read more here about the issue.

<>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Introduced

PA One Call Reauthorization: House Bill 2189 (Matzie-D-Beaver) reauthorizing PA One Call System [Does not include many conventional and shale gas pipelines].

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 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 29, 30

May 1, 6, 7, 8

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

[Posted: April 14, 2024]

4/15/2024