The Senate and House will return to session April 16, except for committee meetings…

Senate

Committees: the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee holds several of its Listening Sessions in Pittsburgh, Waymart and Lebanon;

Other Meetings: the Independent Regulatory Review Commission meets to consider EQB Final New Source Review Air Quality Regulation.

Senate/House Bills Moving

These environmental bills moved in the Senate last week. The House was not in voting session, but the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee did move legislation…

PA Environmental Ed Center: Senate Bill 356 (MJ.White-R-Venango) establishing the PA Center for Environmental Education in statute was passed by the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

PEMA Director: Senate Bill 637 (Baker-R-Luzerne) requiring Senate confirmation of the director of the PA Emergency Management Agency was passed by the Senate and sent to the House for consideration.

Air Quality Plans: Senate Bill 355 (MJ.White-R-Venango) requiring additional public review of Air Quality State Implementation Plans and their publication on the Internet was amended and reported from Senate Appropriations and passed by the Senate. It will now be sent to the House for its action.

Historic Preservation Grants: House Bill 221 (Tangretti-D-Westmoreland) establishing a Historic Preservation Incentive Grant Program was amended with a technical change and reported from the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.

Overnight Accomodations: House Resolutin 164 (Haluska-D-Cambria) directing the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee to make recommendations on overnight facilities at State Parks was reported from the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.

Bills Introduced

Several more environmental bills were introduced this week, here’s the rundown…

Landowner Liability: Senate Bill 497 (Robbins-R-Mercer) encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available for public recreational purposes.

Building Energy Standards: Senate Bill 672 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) requiring certain buildings that receive state funding to Energy Star and high performance building standards.

Geographic Center: Senate Bill 695 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) requiring the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to find the geographic center of the Commonwealth.

Farm Conservation: House Bill 100 (Stern-R, Daley-D) establishing a tax credit program to farmers for installation of best management practices.

Historic Preservation Grants: House Bill 943 (Frankel-D-Allegheny) establishing a Historic Preservation Grant Program.

3/30/2007