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] 

House/Senate Bills Moving

Senate

Creating An Authority To Permit Large-Scale Energy Projects, Waive Any Regulation: Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing an Independent Energy Office was amended to make the bill an Administrative Code bill to give an existing state authority the power to take over the review of all necessary permits from any state agency for large-scale energy projects, eliminating any public comment, waiving any regulation needed for the project and providing immunity from prosecution for waived regulations. The bill was passed by a nearly party line vote of 28 to 22-- Republicans supporting and now goes to the House for action.  Read more here.

Waive Any Regulation Of PUC, Including By Pipelines:  Senate Bill 1174 (Stefano-R- Fayette) would allow any “public utility” to petition the Public Utility Commission to waive any law, regulation or policy under the Commission’s jurisdiction, if it benefits ratepayers, including pipelines like the Mariner East Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline that are public utilities.  The bill was reported out of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee with unanimous Republican support and was then referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Read more here.

House

Asphalt Sealants:  House Bill 1166 (Steele-D-Allegheny) restricting sales of certain asphalt sealants was reported from the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and was passed by a vote of 102 to 98.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Appliance Efficiency Standards: House Bill 1615 (O’Mara-D-Delaware) setting energy efficiency standards for appliances was reported from the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Outdoor Lighting Management: House Bill 1803 (Pielli-D-Chester) management of responsible outdoor night lighting (sponsor summary) was amended and reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Tabled.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month: House Resolution 359 (Barton-R- Schuylkill) designating October Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month (sponsor summary) was reported from the House tourism, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Low-Head Dam Safety Awareness: House Resolution 363 (Mihalek-R- Allegheny) Designating April Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month (sponsor summary) was reported from the House Tourism, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Pollinator Week: House Resolution 400 (Matzie-D-Beaver) designating the week of June 17-23 Pollinator Week in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was reported from the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Bill Calendars

House (May 6): House Bill 1172 (Daley-D-Montgomery) authorizing the expanded use of alkaline hydrolysis in cremation; House Bill 1615 (O’Mara-D-Delaware) setting energy efficiency standards for appliances;  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; House Resolution 359 (Barton-R- Schuylkill) designating October Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month (sponsor summary); House Resolution 400 (Matzie-D-Beaver) designating the week of June 17-23 Pollinator Week in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary):  Senate Bill 656 (Rothman-R-Cumberland) setting electric vehicle fees. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (May 6): 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

May 6-- House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee meets to consider House Bill 1571 (Scott-D-Montgomery) require a warning label for firefighting equipment containing PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 144 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) require warning labels on firefighting foams that contain PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ but not restricting their sale.  Room 515 Irvis Building.  10:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

May 21-- House Tourism, Economic And Recreational Development Committee holds an informational meeting to introduce Nathan Reigner, Director Of The Office Of Outdoor Recreation updating the Committee on the work done over the last year.  Room 140.  10:00 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--

House

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

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

Senate

May 6, 7, 8

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

[Posted: May 5, 2024]

5/6/2024