Here’s a summary of Senate and House bills moving this week as of the close of business July 6. Some of the descriptions show just how fast legislation moves in and out of committee this time of year…

Senate

Keystone Fund: House Bill 1295 (Hanna-D-Clinton) restoring the State System of Higher Education allocation from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund for fiscal year 2006-07 was amended on Third Consideration with language designed to implement the fiscal year 2007-08 budget and is on the Senate Calendar for action.

Transportation Funding: House Bill 1590 (Markosek-D-Allegheny) providing for highway and transit funding was amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action. (See links to Senate Transportation Funding Plan)

House

Deer Management: House Bill 881 (Haluska-D-Cambria) expands the authority of the Game Commission to issue permits to individuals to protect agricultural crops and making other changes to the Game Code was concurred in by the House and sent to the Governor for his action.

Historic Preservation Grants: House Bill 221 (Tangretti-D-Westmoreland) establishing an Historic Preservation Incentive Grant Program was passed by the House and sent to the Senate for action (See separate story.)

Elk Fencing: House Bill 1078 (Hanna-D-Centre) providing for an Elk Damage Fund and for an elk fencing program was passed by the House and is now in the Senate for consideration.

Capital Budget: House Bill 1589 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) providing for a Capital Budget for environmental, recreation, transportation, economic development and other projects was amended and passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for action.

Keystone Fund: Senate Bill 728 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) restoring the State System of Higher Education allocation from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund for fiscal year 2006-07 was recommitted to House Appropriations Committee.

Electric Distribution: House Bill 1530 (Dermody-D-Allegheny) providing for electric supplier long term contracts was reported from House Appropriations Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.

Appeal of Land Use Plans: House Bill 1329 (Kessler-D-Berks) further providing for the jurisdiction of common pleas court in reviewing challenges to land development ordinances and House Bill 1330 (Kessler-D-Berks) also providing for appeals from land use resolutions and maps were reported out of House Rules Committee. House Bill 1329 is on the House Calendar for action.

Fluoridation: House Bill 1649 (Barrar-R-Chester) requiring the fluoridation of public water supplies was reported from the House Rules Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.

Export of Mercury: House Resolution 136 (Josephs-D-Philadelphia) that would ban the export of elemental mercury was adopted by the House.

7/6/2007