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]

Senate/House Bills Moving

House

Lyme Disease Education: Senate Bill 232 (Brooks-R-Mercer) further providing for Lyme disease education was removed from the Table, referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House without changes.  The bill was signed in the Senate and now must be signed in the House before going to the Governor for action.

Blocking EV Charging Stations: House Bill 1043 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery) prohibiting blocking or improper use of electric vehicle charging stations was amended and reported out of the House Transportation Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action..

Ban PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Firefighting Equipment: House Bill 1541 (Harkins-D- Erie) banning PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in firefighting equipment and  House Bill 1571 (Scott-D-Montgomery) require labeling of firefighting equipment containing PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ were  removed from the Table and referred to the House Appropriations Committee. 

Food Processing Waste Land Disposal: House Bill 2393 (Friel-D-Chester) setting standards for the storage or land application of food processing residual waste on farms was removed from the Table and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Sunday Hunting: Senate Bill 67 (Laughlin-R-Erie) repealing prohibition of Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania was removed from the Table and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Solar Decommissioning:  Senate Bill 211 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) setting decommissioning requirements for solar energy facilities [Senate Fiscal Note & Summary] was removed from the Table and referred to the House Appropriations Committee..   Read more here. 

Reauthorizing PA One Call: Senate Bill 1237 (Baker-R-Luzerne) reauthorizing the PA One Call underground utility safety program [that excludes almost all conventional oil and gas pipelines] was reported out of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, amended and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Senate

Reauthorize PA One Call: House Bill 2189 (Matzie-D-Beaver) reauthorizing the PA One Call underground utility safety program [that excludes almost all conventional oil and gas pipelines] was amended and reported out of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Bill Calendars

Senate (October 21):  House Bill 1409 (Kulik-D-Allegheny) reauthorizing authority for Fish and Boat Commission to set its own fees was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee [Senate Fiscal Note & Summary].  <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. 

House (October 21): House Bill 1043 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery) prohibiting blocking or improper use of electric vehicle charging stations; Senate Bill 144 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) prohibiting the purchase of firefighting foams containing PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ after 2026 and providing for labeling; House Resolution 491 (Cooper-R- Westmoreland) designating August 17, 2024 as International Geocaching Day.  <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House

October 23-- House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Resolution 565 (Pielli-D-Chester) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to do a study on wil native terrestrial invertebrate management (sponsor summary). Room G-50 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. 

Senate

October 23-- Agenda Posted.  Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee holds a hearing on waste to fuels. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol Building. 9:30 a.m.   Click Here for available online video.

<>  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--

Senate

October 21, 22, 23

November 13, 14

House

October 21, 22, 23

November 12, 13

[Posted: October 20, 2024]

10/21/2024