The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 10 and will be in session the next two weeks.

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: the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee meets to consider House Resolution 567 (Petri-R-Bucks) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study intermodal transit in southeastern PA; the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Special Session House Bill 42 (Kessler-D-Berks) providing for biodiesel production incentives and House Resolution XX to restore full LIHEAP funding; the Commerce Committee holds a hearing on DCED program and budget issues.

Senate: the Game and Fisheries Committee holds an information meeting on the Game Commission’s Deer Management Program and Game Commission Annual Report; the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee holds a hearing on the PUC budget; the Public Health and Welfare Committee meets to consider House Bill 1320 (Siptroth-D-Monroe) establishing a disposal program for home-generated medical sharps.

Other: Legislative Budget & Finance Committee meets to release a report on its performance audit of Fish and Boat Commission.

Bills Introduced

This environmental bill of interest was introduced this week—

Great Lakes Compact: Senate Bill 1301 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) adoption of the Great Lakes Compact regulating water withdrawals from the Lake Erie Watershed in Pennsylvania.

3/7/2008