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.

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 Hearings on the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy hearing on the Governor’s budget proposals on renewable energy, job creation and fiscal policy in Valley Forge; the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 1989 (Wansacz-D-Luzerne) establishing the PA Flood Grant and Assistance Program in Scranton.

Senate: Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings on the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Bills Introduced

These bills of interest were introduced this week—

Stormwater Planning: House Bill 2266 (Steil-R-Bucks) authorizing counties to regulate stormwater within watershed-based planning areas.

Mining Permits: House Bill 2273 (Stevenson-R-Mercer) further providing for lands eligible for remining, requirements for mining operator’s license and withholding mining permits.

High Gas Prices: Senate Resolution 244 (Rhoades-R-Schuylkill) urging Congress and President to take action to control high gas and energy prices.

2/29/2008