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Environmental Bills Tracked by
PFSC
Updated 3-20-2008
Environmental, DCNR, & Energy Bills
Report provided by
Environmental Bills:
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
2870) Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources) providing for uniform
environmental covenants and stating that an environmental covenant must:
(1) state that the instrument is an environmental covenant, (2) contain a
legally sufficient description of the real property subject to the
environmental covenant, (3) contain a brief narrative description of the
contamination and the remedy, (4) describe the activity and use limitations
on the real property, (5) identify every holder, (6) be signed, with the
formalities required for a deed, and (7) identify the name and location of
any administrative record for the environmental response project reflected
in the environmental covenant. An environmental covenant would not be
required for property owned by the federal government prior to transfer of
the property to a non-federal entity or individual. The bill states DEP
would establish and maintain a registry containing all environmental covenants
and any amendment or termination of those covenants. The registry may also
contain any other information concerning environmental covenants and the
real property subject to them which it considers appropriate. The registry
is a public record for purposes of the Right-to-Know Law. (Prior Printer
Number: 68)
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Bill History:
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01-11-07
H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Environmental
Resources and Energy
04-17-07 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building, House
Environmental Resources and Energy
04-17-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Environmental Resources
and Energy
04-17-07 H Reported as committed from House Environmental Resources and
Energy
04-17-07 H First consideration
04-17-07 H Laid on the table
05-21-07 H Removed from the table
05-21-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
06-18-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Appropriations
06-18-07 H Reported as committed from House Appropriations
06-21-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-21-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-21-07 H Second consideration
06-21-07 H Over in House
06-26-07 H Set on the House Calendar
06-26-07 H Laid out for discussion
06-26-07 H Third consideration
06-26-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:200/N: 0)
06-27-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Environmental
Resources and Energy
10-16-07 S Meeting set for 11:00 a.m., Room 461 Main Capitol, Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy
10-16-07 S Voted favorably from committee on Senate Environmental Resources
and Energy
10-16-07 S Reported as committed from Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy
10-16-07 S First consideration
11-13-07 S Set on the Senate Calendar
11-13-07 S Second consideration
11-19-07 S Set on the Senate Calendar
11-19-07 S Laid out for discussion
11-19-07 S 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted
11-19-07 S Over in Senate
11-20-07 S Set on the Senate Calendar
11-20-07 S Laid out for discussion
11-20-07 S Third consideration
11-20-07 S Final Passage (Vote: Y: 50/N: 0)
12-03-07 H Received as amended in House and rereferred House Rules
12-12-07 H Voted favorably from committee on House Rules
12-12-07 H Re-reported on concurrence as committed House Rules
12-12-07 H Set on the House Calendar
12-12-07 H Laid out for discussion
12-12-07 H House concurred in Senate amendments (Vote: Y:192/N: 0)
12-12-07 H Signed in the House
12-12-07 S Signed in the Senate
12-13-07 G In the hands of the Governor
12-23-07 G Last day for Governor's action
12-18-07 G Approved by the Governor (Act: 68)
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
69) The Mercury-Free Thermostat Act prohibits the sale or distribution of
mercury thermostats in PA. The bill also states that each manufacturer of
mercury thermostats that have been sold in PA would establish and maintain
a department-approved collection and recycling program for out-of-service
mercury thermostats from contractors, service technicians and homeowners.
The department would develop a plan for educating schools, local
governments, businesses and the public on proper disposal methods for
mercury thermostats and other products containing mercury. The bill also
states that the department may levy a $2,500 administrative fine for
violations.
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Companions:
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SB 830 (Identical)
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Bill History:
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01-11-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House Environmental Resources and Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
83) The Flood Hazard Mitigation Act would provide for the acquisition of
property by the state and local government units to mitigate flood hazards.
The bill states that the Commonwealth or a local government unit may
acquire interests in real property for the mitigation of flood hazards. The
bill also provides for public hearings, property acquired in fee simple,
local taxing options, the procedure for acquisitions by local government
units, borrowing and acquisitions on an installment basis, the exercise of
eminent domain, assessments, termination or disposition of property
interests, utility rights-of-way and underground gas storage and
construction.
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Bill History:
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01-22-07 H Filed
01-30-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House State Government
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HB 100
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Stern
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Act re
Resource Enhancement & Prot. Tax Credit
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
1082) The Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program Act would
be established to encourage private investment in the implementation of
best management practices on agricultural operations, the planting of
riparian forest buffers and the remediation of legacy sediment. An eligible
applicant may be granted a maximum of $150,000 in tax credits; no more than
$150,000 in tax credits would be granted toward projects on an agricultural
operation. No more than $25 million in credits would be authorized in FY
2007-08 and FY 2008-09, and no more than $50 million in FY 2009-10 through
FY 2016-17. The bill provides for eligibility and qualifying projects. The
State Conservation Commission, in consultation with the department, would
annually report to the General Assembly on the tax credit program.
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Companions:
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SB 690 (Identical)
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Bill History:
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03-28-07 H Filed
03-29-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House Agriculture and Rural Affairs
06-12-07 H Discussed in press
conference
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
158) Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources) by adding a new chapter
providing for coal. The bill provides for surface-use agreements for coal
bed methane wells by providing for the procedures if a surface owner is not
entitled to royalties under the act entitled "An act regulating the
terms and conditions of certain leases regarding natural gas and oil,"
for the removal or recovery of methane gas or any other gas found in any
coal formation.
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Bill History:
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01-30-07 H Filed
01-31-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House Environmental Resources and Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
2589) Amends the PA Conservation Corps Act further providing for
supervisors by stating that crewleaders would be entitled to workers'
compensation coverage, health and supplemental benefits equivalent to the
benefits received by other full-time departmental employees, and membership
in SERS beginning July 1, 2008. (Prior Printer Number: 169,
2017, 2530)
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Companions:
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HB 534 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-31-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Government
03-20-07 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Hearing Room 2, North Office Buil,
House State Government
03-20-07 H Passed over in committee House State Government
06-20-07 H Meeting set for Off the Floor, Room 60, East Wing, House State
Government
06-20-07 H Voted favorably from committee as amended House State Government
06-20-07 H Reported as amended House State Government
06-20-07 H First consideration
06-20-07 H Rereferred to House Rules
08-22-07 H Discussed in PERC meeting, Public Employee Retirement Commission
09-17-07 H Reported as committed from House Rules
09-17-07 H Laid on the table
09-24-07 H Removed from the table
09-24-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
10-01-07 H Voted favorably from committee as amended House Appropriations
10-01-07 H Reported as amended House Appropriations
10-03-07 H Set on the House Calendar
10-03-07 H Laid out for discussion
10-03-07 H 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted
10-03-07 H Second consideration
10-03-07 H Over in House
11-01-07 H Set on the House Calendar
11-01-07 H Laid on the table
11-01-07 H Removed from the table
11-19-07 H Set on the House Calendar
11-19-07 H Laid out for discussion
11-19-07 H Third consideration
11-19-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:187/N: 3)
11-30-07 S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Labor and Industry
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
996) Amends Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) by adding that
service as a crew leader prior to January 1, 2008 with the Pennsylvania
Conservation Corps would be eligible for the creditable non-school service
credit. The bill adds that beginning January 1, 2008, individuals employed as crew
leaders of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps would have the option to
elect membership in the system. (Prior Printer Number: 170)
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Companions:
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HB 533 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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01-30-07
H Filed
01-31-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Government
03-20-07 H Meeting set for 9:30 a.m., Hearing Room 2, North Office Buil,
House State Government
03-20-07 H Voted favorably from committee as amended House State Government
03-20-07 H Reported as amended House State Government
03-20-07 H First consideration
03-20-07 H Laid on the table
04-19-07 H Discussed in PERC Meeting - 4/19/07, Public Employee Retirement
Commission
04-23-07 H Removed from the table
04-23-07 H Rereferred to House Appropriations
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
339) The Mineral Rights Transfer Act provides the right of first refusal to
the surface estate holder when mineral rights are to be transferred.
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Companions:
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HB 2882 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
SB 1228 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
SB 61 (Identical)
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Bill History:
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02-06-07
H Filed
02-07-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Environmental
Resources and Energy
04-17-07 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building, House
Environmental Resources and Energy
04-17-07 H Passed over in committee House Environmental Resources and
Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
360) Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources) further providing for
adjustments from the Environmental Stewardship Fund by repealing Section
6306 of Title 27. The section currently states that when the Governor's
proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year contains a revision to the
revenue estimate for the current year of at least 3% less than the official
revenue estimate for the current year, the funds deposited may be adjusted
by transferring or redirecting up to 25% of these deposits to the General
Fund.
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Bill History:
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02-07-07 H Filed
02-07-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House
Environmental Resources and Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
379) The Adopt-a-River Act establishes the Adopt-a-River Program. The bill
would appropriate $1,000,000 to the Department Conservation and Natural
Resources for fiscal year July 1, 2007 to June
30, 2008,
to oversee a program designed to remove litter from Pennsylvania's rivers by working with
volunteer groups who would be assigned to a specific river or stream
segment. Participating volunteer groups could request a specific segment of
a river or stream and would agree to clean that segment at least twice a
year for two years. The Department would provide trash bags and information
and also be responsible for facilitating the removal of large items. The
Department would also create a recognition program for participating groups
such as road signs along the water segment and be required to submit annual
reports to the General Assembly on the program.
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Companions:
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HB 1051 (Refiled
from 05R Session)
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Bill History:
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02-07-07 H Filed
02-09-07 H Introduced and referred to committee on House
Environmental Resources and Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
478) The Methane Gas Well Permit Procedure Act provides for the procedure
relating to applications for coal bed methane gas well permits by stating
that prior to submitting to the department a permit application for a coal
bed methane gas well the operator would provide the surface owner with a
statement citing deeds, leases, rights-of-way and other rights relating to
the operator's access to the coal bed methane and attempt to enter into a
surface-use agreement with the surface owner that specifies, at a minimum,
the location of the well, access roads and other surface uses reasonably
necessary to extract the coal bed methane. The bill also establishes a
right of action.
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Bill History:
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02-12-07 H Filed
02-13-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House Environmental Resources and Energy
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PLS Summary:
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(PN
504) The Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Elimination Act states that
gasoline manufacturers and distributors must phase out the use of MTBE over
a five-year period. The bill provides a criminal penalty for anyone that
manufactures or sells gasoline with MTBE.
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Bill History:
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02-13-07 H Filed
02-26-07 H Introduced and referred to
committee on House Environmental Resources and Energy
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