The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of February 11. The Senate will be in session February 11, 12, the House February 11, 12, 13 and added 14.

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

The Senate and House published committee schedules and floor Calendars for the week of February 11—

Calendars

House (February 11): House Bill 1742 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act; House Resolution 546 (George-D-Clearfield) urging Congress to investigate gas and energy prices; House Resolution 518 (Petrone-D-Allegheny) commemorating the life and contributions of Lady Bird Johnson for her leadership role in preserving its natural beauty.

Senate (February 11): Senate Bill 949 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) making the first comprehensive revisions to the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act in 45 years; House Bill 1281 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) requiring municipalities to take steps to protect the Appalachian Trail; House Bill 1329 (Kessler-D-Berks) further providing for appeals and challenges to zoning ordinances; House Bill 1330 (Kessler) further providing for appeals from official maps and local development ordinances; Senate Bill 1096 (Gordner-R-Columbia) providing for the disposition of fines for trespass in an account reserved for snowmobiles and ATVs; Senate Resolution 224 (Vance-R-Cumberland) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the cost for wastewater treatment plants to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.

Committees

House: the Appropriations holds an informational meeting with the Secretary of the Budget on House Bill 2230 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) establishing the Protecting PA’s Progress Program and House Bill 2231 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) increasing the debt ceiling for redevelopment assistance capital projects; the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee holds a hearing on Special Session House Bill 54 (George-D-Clearfield) extending the cap on electric rates beyond 2010; the Game and Fisheries Committee meets for a presentation on the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commissions annual reports.

Senate: the Game and Fisheries Committee meets to consider House Bill 1214 (Surra-D-Elk) changing the terms of Game Commissioners from eight to four years; the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1264 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) providing for geologists in training; the Finance Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1248 (Rhoades-R-Schuylkill) providing for a home heating oil rebate program..

Other: the Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee meets to release a performance audit of the Fish and Boat Commission.

Bills Introduced

The following bill of interest were introduced this week—

Geologists: Senate Bill 1264 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) amending the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law further providing for geologists-in-training.

Rate Cap Extension: Special Session House Bill 54 (George-D-Clearfield) extending 2010 electric price rate caps.

Oil and Gas Well Damage: House Bill 2227 (Hanna-D-Centre) amending the Oil and Gas Act to further provide compensation for damage caused by oil and gas wells.

Protecting PA’s Progress: House Bill 2230 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) establishing the Protecting PA’s Progress Program.

RCAP Increase: House Bill 2231 (Evans-D-Philadelphia) increasing the debt ceiling for redevelopment assistance capital projects.

2/8/2008