The Senate and Senate return to voting session May 21 and here’s what’s on the agenda--

House

Calendar: House Bill 13 (Readshaw-D-Allegheny) limiting liability of landowners in connection with opening their lands for hunting and recreation; House Resolution 112 (Mann-D-Lehigh) directing DEP to implement policies that encourage electronic waste recycling; House Resolution 193 (Haluska-D-Cambria) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the future value of assets on Game Commission land; House Bill 772 (Hershey-R-Chester) establishing the Keystone Energy and Environmental Excellence Awards program and an energy efficiency and pollution reduction initiative; House Bill 894 (Leach-D-Montgomery) authorizing additional reimbursements for school building construction which meets the LEED standards; House Resolution 268 (Rohrer-R-Berks) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study Game Commission forestry and mineral development policies.

Committees: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 543 (Watson-R-Bucks) establishing an energy-efficient home assistance program in the PA Housing Fnance Agency, House Resolution 106 (Cohen-D-Philadelphia) urging automakers to develop plug-in hybrid, electric vehicles, House Resolution 136 (Josephs-D-Philadelphia) urging the President and Congress to ban exportation of elemental mercury; the Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1280 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) amending the Municipalities Planning Code to further define traditional neighborhood development; the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee meets to consider House Resolution 122 (George-D-Clearfield) urging the president and Congress to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; the Transportation Committee meets to consider House Bill 1178 (D.Evans-D-Philadelphia) to provide for an Independence National Historic Park license plate; the Game and Fisheries Committee public hearing on House Bill 251 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) Amending Title 34 related to game feeders.

Senate

Calendar: Senate Bill 782 (MJWhite-R-Venango) that would increase fees on nuclear power plants and for transport escorts.

Committees: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds a public hearing on coal bed methane property rights issues.

Other Meetings: the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee holds an Environmental Issues Forum to hear a presentation on the federal Abandoned Mine Land Fund.

Bills Introduced

Several more environmental bills were introduced this week…

Green Buildings: House Bill 1204 (M.Smith-D-Montgomery) requiring buildings funded with state monies to meet certain energy and environmental building standards.

Green Buildings Tax Credit: House Bill 1205 (M.Smith-D-Montgomery) providing a tax credit for construction of high-performance green buildings.

Energy Efficiency Assistance: House Bill 1317 (DePasquale-D-York) establishing an energy efficient home assistance program in the Houseing Finance Agency.

Waste Coal/Methane Incentives: House Bill 1318 (DePasquale-D-York) providing tax credits for the development of energy from coal waste and coal bed methane.

Anti-Littering Education/Penalties: House Bill 1319 (Siptroth-D-Monroe) requiring an acknowledgement of anti-littering law at the time a learner’s permit or driver’s license is issued.and providing additional penalties for littering.

Home Disposal of Sharps: House Bill 1320 (Siptroth-D-Monroe) establishing a program within the Department of Environmental Protection for the safe disposal of home-generated medical sharps.

Storage Tanks: House Bill 1331 (Carroll-D-Monroe) further providing for storage tank environmental cleanup and for pollution prevention programs.

Emission Inspection Fee Cap: Senate Bill 871 (LaValle-D-Beaver) providing for a fee cap for vehicles exempt from emission inspection due to mileage.

Emission Tax Exemption: Senate Bill 873 (LaValle-D-Beaver) providing a Sales Tax exemption for repairs needed to meet vehicle emission inspection requirements.

Emission Test Equipment Exemption: Senate Bill 874 (LaValle-D-Beaver) providing a Sales Tax exemption for vehicle emission test equipment.

Emission Fee Tax Credit: Senate Bill 875 (LaValle-D-Beaver) providing a tax credit of up to $25 for emission inspection fee.

5/18/2007