The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 10. The Senate and House will hold hearings on Gov. Rendell’s proposed budget in the interim.

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

On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced

The Senate and House published committee schedules and floor Calendars for the week of March 10—

Calendars

House (March 10): 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.

The Special Energy Session Calendar includes: Special Session House Bill 1 (DePasquale-D-York) establishing a grant program and authorizing indebtedness for Energy Development Authority; Special Session House Bill 13 (Bennington-R-Mifflin) amends the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to provide for increased use of energy efficiency, extends the compliance period from 15 to 21 years and providing additional milestones for the use of alternative energy.

Senate (March 10): House Bill 1281 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) requiring municipalities to take steps to protect the Appalachian Trail; 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; Senate Bill 1264 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) providing for geologists in training; Senate Bill 1248 (Rhoades-R-Schuylkill) providing for a home heating oil rebate program; House Bill 1214 (Surra-D-Elk) changing the terms of Game Commissioners from eight to four years

Committees

House: Appropriations Committee budget hearing – Department of Agriculture.

Senate: Senate Republican Policy Committee hearing on the Costs of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.

Bills Introduced

The following bill of interest were introduced this week—

Mine Reclamation/Switchgrass: Special Session House Bill 55 (Brooks-R-Crawford) promoting the planting of swtichgrass and other biofuels on mine reclamation lands. (See separate story.)

Energy Star Tax Credits: House Bill 2245 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) tax credit for Energy Star rated product manufacturing and House Bill 2247 (M.Smith) tax credits for Energy Star rated glass or window technologies.

2/15/2008