The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

House

Removing SRBC Employees From State Pension System: House Bill 60 (Cox-R-Berks) removing new Susquehanna River Basin Commission employees from state employees pension system (House Fiscal Note and summary) was amended on the House Floor, reported into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed the House 108 to 81 by a party-line vote, Republicans supporting.  [Note: This bill is being moved by conservative House Republicans in retribution for what they see as SRBC overstepping its authority-- SRBC didn’t.  Click Here for more.]

Keystone Tree Fund: House Bill 374 (Everett-R- Lycoming) establishing the Keystone Tree Fund to support tree planting programs by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (sponsor summary) was reported from the House Transportation Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Agriculture Security Law:  House Bill 370 (Klunk-R-York) amending the Agricultural Area Security Law to provide for the voluntary relinquishment of the right to construct a residence on a preserved farm (sponsor summary) and House Bill 441 (Sonney-R-Erie) amending the Agricultural Area Security Law to allow wind energy projects on preserved farmland (sponsor summary) were reported from the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Tabled.

Tree Of Heaven: House Bill 404 (Lawrence-R-Chester) designating the Tree of Heaven, a favorite of the Spotted Lanternfly, as a noxious weed (sponsor summary) was reported from the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Tabled.

Maple Syrup Week: House Resolution 84 (Causer-R-Cameron) designating March 11-17 Maple Producers Week in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was adopted by the House.

2/25/2019