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

NOTE: This is budget season, committee meetings can be held and bills can move without warning.

House/Senate Bills Moving

House

Native Vegetation Along State Highways: House Bill 797 (B.Miller-R-Lancaster) requires PennDOT to plant native vegetation along state highways [House Summary & Fiscal Note] was concurred in by the House and sent to the Governor for his action.  Read more here.

Reauthorizing Geospatial Board: Senate Bill 1138 (Culver-R-Columbia) reauthorizing the State Geospatial Coordinating Board was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Summary & Fiscal Note] and passed by the House 202-0 without amendment.  The bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

PA Energy Development Authority: House Bill 2338 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) provides the PA Energy Development Authority with addition powers to better utilize available federal funding to support clean energy projects in Pennsylvania was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Summary & Fiscal Note] and passed by the House 107 to 95.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Sunday Hunting: House Bill 2108 (Steele-D-Allegheny) repealing the prohibition on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Summary & Fiscal Note] and passed by the House 132 to 70.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Geologic Carbon Sequestration: Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing a framework for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide was unanimously amended and reported out of the  House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, was amended again and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.  Read more here.

Landslide Insurance: House Bill 589 (Kinkead-D-Allegheny) establishing a state landslide insurance program was amended and reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee as all bills are this time of year.

Sale Of Municipal Water Systems: House Bill 1862, House Bill 1863 and House Bill 1864 sponsored by Matzie (D-Beaver) further providing for the acquisition of municipal water and wastewater systems were removed from the Table and are now on the House Calendar for action.

Smokey Bear Birthday: House Resolution 470 (Haddock-D-Luzerne) designating August 9, 2024 as Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was reported out of the House Tourism, Economic and Recreation Development Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Low-Head Dam Safety: House Resolution 363 (Mihalek-R-Allegheny) designating April as Low-Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month was Tabled.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: House Resolution 359 (Barton-R- Schuylkill) designating October Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month (sponsor summary) was Tabled.

Senate

Solar For Schools: House Bill 1032 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) establishing a grant program to support solar energy facility projects at schools was amended and reported out of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Bottled Water Regulation: Senate Bill 1203 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) transferring the regulation of the bottled water industry from DEP to the Department of Agriculture (sponsor summary) 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 (July 1): House Bill 1862, House Bill 1863 and House Bill 1864 sponsored by Matzie (D-Beaver) further providing for the acquisition of municipal water and wastewater systems 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 411 (Fleming-D- Dauphin) designating July as Park and Recreation Month; House Resolution 470 (Haddock-D-Luzerne) designating August 9, 2024 as Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary).  <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (July 1): Senate Bill 1058 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) abrogating the final regulation reducing carbon pollution from power plants [RGGI]; House Bill 1032 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) establishing a grant program to support solar energy facility projects at schools. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House

July 16-- House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee information meeting on proposed Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones - House Bill 920 (Rabb-D-Philadelphia).  Manchester Bidwell Corp, 1815 Metropolitan St., Pittsburgh.  1:30 p.m.  Click Here to watch live.

<>  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

July 1, 2, 3

Senate

July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

September 16, 17, 18, 30

October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23

November 13, 14

[Posted: June 30, 2024]

7/1/2024