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 

Lithium Battery Recycling: House Bill 2241 (Siegel-D-Lehigh) providing for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries was reported out of the House Rules Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee. 

Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday: House Resolution 470 (Haddock-D-Luzerne) designating August 9, 2024 as Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was adopted 199 to 3-- Rep. Wendy Fink (R-York), Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler) and Rep. Ryan Varner (R-Fayette) voted against the resolution.

Parks & Recreation Month: House Resolution 411 (Fleming-D-Dauphin) designating July as Parks and Recreation Month was Tabled.

Senate

Anti-SLAPP Lawsuit: House Bill 1466 (Bizzarro-D-Erie) that would help prevent powerful interests from filing SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits to silence citizen critics and chill free speech was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously, referred into and out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was amended on the Senate Floor by voice vote and remains on the Senate Calendar in position for final action.

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 8): 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.  <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (July 8): 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; House Bill 1466 (Bizzarro-D-Erie) that would help prevent powerful interests from filing SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits to silence citizen critics and chill free speech.  <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House

July 9-- House Republican Policy Committee hearing on Big Elk Creek State Park.  Avon Grove High School, 10 Waltman Way, West Grove, Chester County. 9:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  Read announcement here.

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 Introduced

Protecting Insects/Enhancing Habitats: House Bill 2470 (Pielli-D-Chester) and House Bill 2471 (Pielli-D-Chester) amending the Wild Resource Conservation Act to protect insects and conserving monarch butterfly and other insect habitats.  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

July 9

Senate

July 9, 10, 11

September 16, 17, 18, 30

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

November 13, 14

[Posted: July 7, 2024]

7/8/2024