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

House Bills Moving

Unfreezing Solar For All Funding: House Bill 362 (Fiedler-D- Philadelphia) making changes to the powers and duties of the PA Energy Development Authority to allow for disbursement of federal Solar for All Program funding was reported out of the House Energy Committee by a vote of 15 to 11, with Republicans opposed, except for Rep. Craig Williams (R-Chester) who voted yes.  The bill was then amended on the House Floor and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

The amendment included provisions prohibiting the use of solar panels produced with forced labor and directed the Public Utility Commission to adopt regulations protecting ratepayers who are not participating in the Solar for All Program from cross-subsidization and net meeting.

Expanding C-PACE To Add EV Charging: House Bill 789 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery) expands C-PACE property-based energy financing program to add electric vehicle charging infrastructure was reported out of the House Environment and Natural Resource Protection Committee by a vote of 14 to 12, Republicans opposing and was Tabled.

Study Renewable Energy On Lake Erie: House Resolution 53 (Merski-D-Erie) directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility and potential benefits of offshore hydropower, solar and wind renewable energy on Lake Erie was reported out of the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee by a voted of 19 to 7, some Republicans opposing and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Minimum Energy, Water Use Standards: House Bill 660 (O’Mara-D-Delaware) setting minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain appliances was amended and also reported out of the House Energy Committee by a vote of 14 to 12, Republicans were opposed and then Tabled.

Radon Test Results: House Bill 448 (Diamond-R-Lebanon) authorizes DEP to release radon test results to previous property owners in certain circumstances was reported out of the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee unanimously and Tabled.

Recycling Fee Increase: House Bill 620 (Isaacson-D-Philadelphia) would increase the state recycling fee from $2 to $5 per ton to support local recycling and waste disposal planning programs was reported out of the House Local Government Committee by a vote of 14 to 12, Republicans opposing and Tabled.  Read more here.

Prohibiting Greenwashing: House Bill 783 (Rabb-D-Philadelphia) prohibiting the practice of greenwashing was unanimously reported out of the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee with a recommendation it be referred to the House Judiciary Committee and it was referred.

Invertebrate Biodiversity: House Bill 441 (Pielli-D-Chester) amends the Wild Resource Conservation Act of 1982 to address a gap in biodiversity conservation in Pennsylvania by assigning native terrestrial invertebrates to DCNR was reported out of the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee by a vote of 14 to 12, Republicans opposing and Tabled.  [Read more here]

Natural Gas Utility Workers Appreciation: House Resolution 85 (Matzie-D-Beaver) designating March 18, 2025 as Natural Gas Utility Worker Appreciation Day was reported from the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee and adopted by the House by a vote of 199-3.

Flood Awareness Week: House Resolution 122 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) recognizing the week of March 17-21, 2025 as Flood Awareness Week was reported from the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and is now on the House Calendar.

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 (March 24 ):  House Resolution 53 (Merski-D-Erie) directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility and potential benefits of offshore hydropower, solar and wind renewable energy on Lake Erie;  House Resolution 122 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) recognizing the week of March 17-21, 2025 as Flood Awareness Week. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (March 24): <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House

March 24-- House Consumer Protection, Technologies & Utilities Committee informational meeting on Public Utility Commission.  Room 205 Ryan Building.  11:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

April 7-- [Tentative Agenda]  House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee meets to consider House Bill 969 (Pielli-D-Chester) requiring outdoor night lighting practices that reduce light pollution from public facilities.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. 

Senate

March 24-- Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meets to consider -- Senate Bill 403 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to authorize the issues of continuous stream maintenance permits; Senate Bill 404 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit programs; Senate Bill 109 (Laughlin-R-Erie) reducing the fee for Lake Erie groin structures from $750 to $250 per year;  Senate Bill 349 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing bonding and other decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar energy facilities.  Senate Rules Committee Room.  Off the Floor.  No video coverage.  [Note: Senate Bills 403 & 404 are also on the Senate Appropriations Committee agenda for March 24.]

March 24-- Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 403 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to authorize the issues of continuous stream maintenance permits; Senate Bill 404 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit programs.  Senate Rules Committee Room.  Off the Floor.  No video coverage.

March 26-- Senate Game & Fisheries Committee hearing on annual reports of Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission.  Room 8E-B East Wing. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

<>  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

March 24, 25, 26

April 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 24

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30

September 22(NV*), 23(NV), 24(NV), 29, 30

October 1, 6, 7, 8, 27, 28, 29

November 17, 18, 19

December 8(NV), 9(NV), 10(NV, 15, 16, 17

*non-voting

Senate

March 24, 25, 26, 31

April 1, 2

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

[Posted: March 23, 2025]

3/24/2025