The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of February 4.

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

On the Senate/House Agenda

The Senate and House published committee schedules and floor Calendars for the week of February 4—

Calendars

House (February 4): House Bill 1742 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act; House Resolution 546 (George-D-Clearfield) urging Congress to investigate gas and energy prices; House Resolution 518 (Petrone-D-Allegheny) commemorating the life and contributions of Lady Bird Johnson for her leadership role in preserving its natural beauty.

Senate (February 4): Senate Bill 949 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) making the first comprehensive revisions to the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act in 45 years, in-part based on recommendations made after the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue.

Committees

House: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 674 (Reed-R-Indiana) that would broaden the review of guidelines and policies by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and House Bill 1735 (Yewcic-D-Cambria) sorting out the property rights associated with coal bed methane recovery; the Consumer Affairs Committee meets to consider House Bill 2200 (George-D-Clearfield) requiring utilities to adopt energy efficiency and demand-side management programs and House Bill 2201 (McCall-D-Carbon) amend Title 66 providing for a transition to market-based electric rates, requiring assistance to low-income customers and providing for advance payments of electric bills; the Finance Committee meets to consider Special Session House Bill 1 (DePasquale-D-York) establishing a grant program and authorizing indebtedness for Energy Development Authority; and the State Government Committee briefing by the Department of General Services on riparian rights.

Senate: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Resolution 224 (Vance-R-Cumberland) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the cost for wastewater treatment plants to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and House Bill 1281 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) requiring municipalities to take steps to protect the Appalachian Trail; the Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1329 (Kessler-D-Berks) further providing for appeals and challenges to zoning ordinances, House Bill 1330 (Kessler) further providing for appeals from official maps and local development ordinances.

Other: Governor’s Budget Address is available online starting at 11:30.

Bills Introduced

The following bill of interest were introduced this week—

Chesapeake Bay Cleanup: Senate Resolution 224 (Vance-R-Cumberland) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the cost for wastewater treatment plants to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to consider the resolution February 5.

Plastic Bags: House Bill 2198 (Bennington-D-Allegheny) limiting the use of plastic checkout bags.

2/1/2008