The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 17.

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 March 17—

Calendars

House (March 17): House Resolution 546 (George-D-Clearfield) urging Congress to investigate gas and energy prices; House Bill 2233 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) extending grants under the Elm Street Program beyond the original five year term; House Bill 1078 (Hanna-D-Clinton) establishing the Elk Damage Fund providing for deterrent fences for deer, bear and elk and payment of claims for elk damage.

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 provides additional milestones for the use of alternative energy.

Senate (March 17) House Bill 1214 (Surra-D-Elk) changing the terms of Game Commissioners from eight to four years; House Bill 1281 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) requiring municipalities to take steps to protect the Appalachian Trail; House Bill 1320 (Siptroth-D-Monroe) establishing a disposal program for home-generated medical sharps.

Committees

House: the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Information Technology meets to consider House Bill 1304 (Fairchild-R-Mifflin) creating a PA Geospatial Coordinating Council ; the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 2073 (O’Brien-D-Philadelphia) requiring retailers of pharmaceutical drugs to have in place a system for acceptance and disposal, House Resolution 627 (George-D-Clearfield) urging federal government to provide more heating assistance funding and House Bill 2266 (Steil-R-Bucks) expanding stormwater planning requirements with a request the bill be referred to the House Local Government Committee; the Game and Fisheries Committee meets to consider House Resolution 642 (Levdansky-D-Allegheny) directing directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an audit of the Game Commission’s deer management program; and the House Republican Policy Committee hearing on electric rate cap mitigation.

Other: Environmental Issues Form featuring a presentation on the Northampton Generating Company co-generation plant sponsored by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

Bills Introduced

These environmental bills of interest were introduced this week—

Organic Farming: House Bill 2347 (Kessler-D-Berks) establishing an organic farming transition program.

LIHEAP Funding: House Resolution 627 (George-D-Clearfield) memorializing the federal government to provide additional funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Molly Maguires: House Resolution 629 (Goodman-D-Schuylkill) urging the Governor to recognize the lack of due process in the 1876-1878 trials of alleged members of the Molly Maquires.

Business Energy Savings: Special Session House Bill 58 (Boback-R-Luzerne) providing for a small business energy savings tax credit.

Net Loss Carry Forward: Special Session Senate Bill 43 (Regola-R-Westmoreland) would increase the deductibility of a net operating loss (NOL) from 12.5 percent to 50 percent of taxable income, up from a maximum of $3 million to $12 million. Sen. Regola introduced the legislation noting the development of alternative energy sources and related technology is hampered by current laws limiting the ability to timely deduct from corporate tax liability for net losses, particularly for new or small businesses.

P2, Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: Special Session Senate Bill 44 (Regola-R-Westmoreland) providing for an energy efficiency and pollution prevention tax credit.

3/14/2008