Here's a quick update on issues in the General Assembly.

Manure Hauler Certification: House Bill 1809 (Egolf-R-Perry) creating a commercial manure hauler and broker certification program in the Department of Agriculture was approved by the Senate this week after being amended. The legislation is designed to help make sure manure is applied to land in Pennsylvania in compliance with nutrient management program requirements, especially manure coming in from other states. The bill must now be approved by the House before it goes to the Governor.

Transit Funding: Sen. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) and Rep. John Taylor (R-Montgomery) introduced legislation this week -- Senate Bill 1162 – to help provide dedicated, predictable funding for mass transit. The bills would lift a $75 million cap and dedicate an additional 3.2184% of the existing sales tax to transit, generating approximately $282 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1,2004. The legislation is endorsed by the saveTransit Coalition.

Fish License Increase: The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs this week announced its support for House Bill 2155 (B.Smith-R-York) which proposes increases in fees for fishing licenses, trout/salmon stamps, and boat registrations, and encouraged the legislature to pass the bill.

6/18/2004