Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Senate/House Bills Moving/Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest saw movement this week-- 

Senate 

Appalachian Trail: House Bill 263 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) providing additional protection for the Appalachian Trail through local zoning ordinances was passed by the Senate without amendments, so it now goes to the Governor for his action. 

Blight: Senate Resolution 142 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the cost of creating a statewide blighted property database was adopted by the Senate. 

Blight II: Senate Bill 900 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) relating to eliminating neighborhood blight was referred to Senate Appropriations Committee. 

House 

Prescribed Burning: House Bill 262 (Haluska-D-Cambria) setting standards for prescribed burning practices the House concurred in Senate amendments and the bill now goes to the Governor for action.

"Controlled burning is used widely as an effective land and habitat management tool in many states already," Rep. Haluska said. "It is effective because it is based on the way nature itself manages habit and land. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is way behind in this area. This new law puts the full potential of this important land-management tool at the state's disposal, while still ensuring the safety and protection of property and lives." 

Green Buildings: House Bill 444 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) requiring buildings built and funded by the Commonwealth to meet green building standards was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for its action. NewsClip: PA Works Coalition Praises House For Passing Green Building Legislation

H20 Program: House Bill 1798 (Eachus-D-Luzerne) adding not-for-profit organizations as an eligible applicant of the H2O water infrastructure program was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for action.

Brownfields:
Senate Bill 84 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) providing for a limitation on cleanup liability for economic development agencies was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Bills Introduced

These environmental bills of interest have been introduced--

Natural Gas Severance Tax:
Senate Bill 997 (Dinniman-D-Chester) imposing a severance tax on natural gas production.

Coal Refuse Disposal:
House Bill 1847 (Harhai-D-Westmoreland) adding areas adjacent to or an expansion of an existing coal refuse disposal site to preferred coal refuse disposal sites. A Senate version was introduced as Senate Bill 1034 (Stout-D-Washington).

Neighborhood Energy Assistance:
House Bill 1848 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing a Neighborhood Energy Assistance Tax Credit.

Green Economy Center:
House Bill 1854 (Payton-D-Philadelphia) establishing a Green Economy Center within the Department of Environmental Protection and a Green Jobs Fund to support work force development and House Bill 1863 (Payton) creating an Executive Director of Green Jobs Analysis in the Department of Labor and Industry.

7/20/2009

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page