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

Senate Bills

Stream ‘Cleaning:’ Senate Bill 403 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to authorize the issues of continuous stream maintenance permits and  Senate Bill 404 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit programs were reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee  by a vote of 11 to 4, Republicans supporting, and were passed by the Senate and go to the House for consideration.

Solar Facility Decommissioning: Senate Bill 349 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing bonding and other decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar energy facilities unanimously reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Lake Erie Groin Fees: Senate Bill 109 (Laughlin-R-Erie) reducing the fee for Lake Erie groin structures from $750 to $250 per year unanimously reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for 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

Senate (March 31): 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; <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

House (April 7):  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.

Committee Meetings

House

April 7-- [Tentative Agenda]  House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee meets to consider House Bill 109 (Vitali-D-Delaware) establishing an environmental justice permit review program in DEP to consider cumulative impacts of pollutants on communities [Read more here.]  House Bill 969 (Pielli-D-Chester) requires outdoor night lighting practices that reduce light pollution from public facilities.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

March 31-- Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on energy affordability for consumers. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. 10:30 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

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 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 30, 2025]

3/31/2025