Here’s a summary of Senate and House bills moving this week as of the close of business July 13. Some of the descriptions show just how fast legislation moves in and out of committee this time of year…

Senate

REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit: Senate Bill 97 (D.White-R-Indiana) was amended to add the Resource Enhamcement and Protection Act (REAP) that provides tax credits for installation of farm conservaton practices, passed the House and is now in the Senate for action. Senate Bill 690 (Waugh-R-York, O’Pake-D-Berks) also containing REAP, passed the Senate and went to the House for action.

Quecreek Rescue Anniversary: Senate Resolution 151 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue was adopted by the Senate.

Alternative Energy Standards: House Bill 1203 (Hornaman-D-Erie) making changes to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act consistent with the Governor’s Energy Independence Initiative was amended to include the contents of Senate Bill 715 (Musto-D-Luzerne) and reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, referred again to, amended, and reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee a second time.

Electric Distribution: House Bill 1530 (Dermody-D-Allegheny) providing for electric supplier long term contracts was amended to narrow the focus to help major companies in Western Pennsylvania, passed by the House, referred to, amended and reported from the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. NewsClip: House Approves Long-Term Power Deals

House

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 the House Apprpriations Committee, passed by the House and now go to the Senate for action.

7/13/2007