The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Environment & Energy NewsClips-- 

-- House Environmental Committee Meets May 24 On Bills Attempting To Address Local Flooding, Extending Underground Tank Cleanup Programs [PaEN]

-- House Local Govt. Committee Meets May 25 On Bill To Prohibit Communities From Moving To Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change [PaEN]

-- Senate Democratic Policy Committee Holds June 2 Hearing On Health Impacts Of Shale Gas Infrastructure In Allegheny County  [PaEN]

-- House Environmental Committee To Hold May 23 Information Meeting On Bills Prohibiting Waste Landfills In Certain Areas  [PaEN]

Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics Last Week--

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN]

Bill Calendars

NEW!  House Republican The Week Ahead

House (May 23): House Bill 1161 (Mizgorski-R- Allegheny) authorizing the establishment of a local solar energy subscriber program [not preferred by clean energy advocates Read more here];  House Bill 2069 (Cutler-R- Lancaster) Amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the governor’s approval or disapproval [Read more here]; House Bill 2070 (Cutler- R-Lancaster) Amend Article IV, to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly [Read more here];  House Resolution 74 (Daley-D-Montgomery) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of wildlife conservation corridors  <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (May 23): Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House   

May 23-- House Environmental & Energy Committee informational meeting on House Bill 2338 (Bonner-R-Mercer) would prohibit landfills within three miles of the border of a municipality having a population density of at least 1,000 residents per square mile, including municipal, residual and hazardous waste facility permits now pending (sponsor summary); and  House Bill 2339 (Bonner-R-Mercer) would prohibit landfills within 2,500 feet of an occupied dwelling, including municipal, residual and hazardous waste facility permits now pending (sponsor summary).  Room 515 of the Irvis Building. 9:30 a.m. Click Here to watch live online.  Click Here for more on the agenda.

May 24-- House Environmental & Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 1780 (Armanini-R-Clearfield) which would extend the sunset date for the underground storage tank cleanup and pollution prevention programs to December 31, 2027, from  June 30, 2022;  House Bill 2404 (Owlett-R-Tioga): Would allow local government organizations to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. This permit would grant an affirmative duty to the local government entity to properly maintain the streams and would not require the local government to get pre-approval for maintenance projects. House Bill 2405 (Pickett-R-Bradford): Would create a program that allows counties to opt in to address hazards within their streams by allowing for emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. This is modeled after a pilot project that has proven successful in Bradford County; House Bill 2406 (Fritz-R- Susquehanna): Would create a permit specific to smaller maintenance projects for the mitigation of flood-related hazards of less than 250 linear feet. This permit would be reviewed and issued by the local county conservation district;  House Bill 2407 (Hamm-R-Lycoming): Would clarify that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has no authority for permitting or enforcement related to stream clearing or maintenance activities. This authority shall belong solely to DEP and the county conservation districts as appropriate; House Bill 2408 (Armanini-R-Clearfield): Would declare that no permit or authorization shall be required for maintenance activities conducted on a culvert; House Bill 2409 (O’Neal-R-Washington): Would state that no permit shall be required for the removal of flood-related hazards from streams that are deemed to be an emergency by a state or county;  House Bill 2410 (Smith-R-Jefferson): Would state that no permit shall be required for stream maintenance activities conducted 50 feet or less upstream or downstream of a bridge or culvert; House Bill 2411 (Hershey-R-Mifflin) requires DEP to issue an annual report on flooding and stream restoration. Room 515 Irvis Building. 8:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch live online.  Click Here for more on the agenda.

May 25-- House Local Government Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) which limits the ability of communities to offer new and clean energy sources and energy efficiency programs by locking in the status quo, in particular natural gas [Read more here.]  Room 515 Irvis Building.  Call of Chair. Click Here to watch live online. Click Here for more on the agenda.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. 

Senate

May 23-- Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1038 (Stefano-R- Fayette) directing mining civil penalties to reclamation O&M Trust Fund [$30,000 this year).  Off the Floor.  Click Here to watch online.

June 2-- Senate Democratic Policy Committee holds a hearing on health impacts of shale gas infrastructure. Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus Auditorium, 595 Beatty Road, Monroeville. 1:00 p.m.  Click Here to register to watch online.  Click Here for more on the agenda.

 <>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. 

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate

May 23, 24, 25

June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 

House

May 23, 24, 25

June 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21

October 24, 25, 26

November 14, 15, 16

[Posted: May 22, 2022]

5/23/2022