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

House/Senate Bills Moving

House

Appliance Efficiency Standards:  House Bill 1615 (O’Mara-D-Delaware) setting energy and water efficiency standards for certain residential and commercial appliances was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the House 102 to 98 in a party-line vote, Democrats supporting.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Water Bottle Stations:  House Bill 1169 (Warren-D-Bucks) requiring water bottle refilling stations in state buildings was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the House 102 to 98 in a party-line vote, Democrats supporting.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Rural Population Revitalization Commission: House Bill 2225 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) establishing the Rural Population Revitalization Commission was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the House 121 to 79, Republicans opposing.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Senate 

Utility Billing/Shutoffs: Senate Bill 1017 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) reauthorizing Utility Code Chapter 14 on utility billing and shutoffs was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee [Senate Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the Senate 42 to 8 in a bipartisan vote.  The bill now goes to the House for action.

Train Derailment Tax Credit: Senate Bill 1149 (Mastriano-R-Adams) providing a tax credit for payments made to individuals as a result of the Norfolk Southern train derailment was referred to the Senate Appropriations 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 (May 20): 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 (June 3): 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 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 Introduced

-- The PA Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER) proposal was introduced by Sen. Comitta as Senate Bill 1191 (not yet online) and House Bill 2275 by Rep. Abney.  Read more here.

-- The PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) proposal was introduced by Sen. Santarsiero as Senate Bill 1190 (not yet online) and House Bill 2277 by Rep. Friel-Otten.  Read more here.

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 20, 21, 22

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

Senate

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

Special Link:

-- We’re Heard This Before: ‘We’re Providing Jobs - Stopping Pollution Threatens Jobs’ - A Brief Review Of Pennsylvania’s Conservation History  [PaEN]

[Posted: May 12, 2024]

5/13/2024