Legislative Action

As the Pennsylvania General Assembly heads into Spring, legislative activity is picking up steam. Following two special elections, both the House and Senate have a full compliment. The House special election, held on March 25th, played out as expected, giving Democrats a one-vote majority in that chamber. The Senate special election had a surprising upset though. A traditionally Republican seat flipped from Republican to Democrat. The Republicans still maintain the majority by a count of 27 to 23.

In a stunning outcome, Democrat James Andrew Malone narrowly defeated Republican Josh Parsons to win the March 25 special election in the 36th Senatorial District, a district that's had a Republican in office since 1983. Malone will take office in early April.

Democrat Dan Goughnour won a sepcial election in the Mon Valley to fill the Pennsylvania House seat of the late Rep. Matt Gergely and keep the House in Democratic control. Goughnour will likely be sworn in shortly after the House returns to session on April 7.

The state Senate approved two bills sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), addressing stream maintenance and giving counties and municipalities greater flexibility in handling obstructions and flood-related hazards in local waterways, on March 26, 2025.

Senate Bill 403 would allow for 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. Senate Bill 404 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.

“Proper stream maintenance protects people, land and infrastructure from flood damage,” Yaw said. “The need is immediate, and our local officials are in the best position to manage and maintain our streams. Eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and red tape can help prevent more widespread damage and destruction.”

Last year, nearly every county in Yaw’s district was impacted by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. The overwhelming message, he said, was the need to be able to get in the streams to clean them. Currently, doing so requires a permit from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient, according to Yaw.

The bills now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.

A bill to create a new state authority to finance infrastructure projects across the nation through bond sales was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee. The Finance Committee voted 10-1 in favor of Senate Bill 323 sponsored by Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, creating the Keystone National Finance Authority to finance infrastructure projects in the industrial, energy, housing, healthcare, transit, and other economic sectors. Under SB323, local authorities in Pennsylvania would hold a public hearing before approving any projects financed by the finance authority. The authority would be governed bya board of legislative and executive branch members and undergo annual audits. Argall told the panel the Keystone authority would be modeled on a fifteen year old authority in Wisconsin which generates fee revenue from bond sales to investors for state coffers.

Agenda https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/engineers/agenda.pdf  

The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists met on March 27, via hybrid meeting format. Following are the highlights.

∙ Board President Joe McNally, PG, presided, and welcomed the members. He had no further report.  

∙ Board member reports: Lisa Peterson reported on an engineering licensure presentation she was involved with at Villanova. Robert Kudlawiec reported on the same he did at PSU main campus to their NSBE chapter.  No other reports.

∙ Board Prosecution Liaison Ray Michalowski, Esq. presented one Consent Agreement and one Adjudication and Order for approval. Approved.

∙ Board Counsel Ashley Goshert, Esq., reported she is still searching for the Board’s statutory authority to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the UK.

∙ Acting Commissioner Arion Claggett had no report.

∙ The Board reviewed and approved a number of Examination applications and licensure ratifications. 5 Act 41/Endorsement Ratifications were approved. 1 request for PDH exemption was denied.

∙ No correspondence, no hearings, no appointments, no public comments.

The next meeting is May 15, with both in-person and virtual options for attendees, at the new location, 2525 N. 7^th Street, Harrisburg. Public Session begins at 11 AM

HB1059 RE: Agricultural Preservation Funds Use (Former HB1777)

Amends the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for purchase of agricultural conservation easements, for Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund and for Land Trust Reimbursement Program. Permits eligible nonprofit to purchase agricultural conservation easement if the eligible nonprofit entity does not seek reimbursement for the purchase of the agricultural conservation easement under section 14.6(b). Requires the state board to make annual allocations from the fund by March 1 of each year. Lists amounts to be allocated. Stipulates money allocated under this subsection which has not been expended by December 31 of the year in which the money was allocated shall lapse back to the fund. Lists eligible transaction expenses. Includes payments by a land trust to acquire an agricultural conservation easement as an eligible purchase expense. Provides limitations. Requires transfer to the county if a land trust ceases to exist, an agricultural conservation easement purchased by the land trust which was reimbursed for purchase costs under this section.

Referred to House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, 3/26/2025 

SB160 RE: 2025-26 Budget Bill (by Sen. Scott Martin)

file:///D:/March%202025%20Legislative%20Reports/2025-0-SB0160P0529.PDF

An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 4/3/2025

SB323 RE: The Keystone National Finance Authority (by Sen. David G. Argall, et al)

Amends Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations), in economic development financing, adding a chapter to provide for Keystone National Finance Authority. Establishes the Keystone National Finance Authority as an independent authority that is an instrumentality of the commonwealth and a body corporate and politic, with corporate succession. Provides that the authority shall be governed by the board and the powers of the authority shall be exercised by the board. The expenses of the authority shall be paid from assets or income of the authority, specifying that the commonwealth shall not be responsible for funding the expenses of the authority. Provides that the fiscal year of the authority shall end on June 30. Provides for an annual audit, and requires the authority to annually transmit audited financial statements to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Requires executive agencies to cooperate with and provide assistance to the authority without financial reimbursement. Allows the authority to be dissolved by law if all outstanding liabilities have been fully paid, retired, satisfied or discharged. Provides for procurement.. Requires an administrator to operate the authority. Outlines what acts apply to the authority and the board relating to notice and open meetings. Details who the board shall be comprised of. Directs the governor to select a member of the board to serve as chairperson and members to select other officers among members of the board. Provides for board meetings and proxy, quorum, compensation, fiduciary relationship, standard of care, liability and initial appointment and vacancy. Grants powers to the authority. Requires the authority to finance projects in one or more states or territories of the U.S. by issuing conduit revenue bonds. Provides for the issuance of bonds. Outlines commonwealth taxation and federal taxation. Establishes the validity of bonds and limitations on actions. Provides provisions of bonds and trust agreements. Establishes the validity of pledge and commonwealth pledges. Provides for bonds to be legal investments. Outlines rights and remedies of obligees. Provides benefits to the commonwealth.

Referred to Senate Finance Committee, 2/26/2025

Reported as committed from Senate Finance Committee, and read first time, in Senate, 4/1/2025

HB362 RE: Authorizing a Pennsylvania Solar for All Program (by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, et al)

Amends the Administrative Code, in Energy Development Authority and emergency powers, providing for federal money for Solar for All Program. Requires the authority to administer and distribute money appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for the Solar for All Program. Mandates the appropriated money to be in accordance with and satisfy the authorization requirements of section 1724-H of the Fiscal Code. Provides what the distribution is subject to. Effective immediately.

Reported as committed House Energy Committee, read first time, and laid on the table, 3/17/2025

Removed from table, 3/18/2025 

Amended on second consideration, read second time, and re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 3/19/2025

HB1080 RE: Solar Installation Decommission Requirements (by Rep. Mandy Steele, et al)

House companion to Senator Gene Yaw’s SB349. Establishes decommissioning requirements for solar installations, and it will also provide financial assurance for property owners during the decommissioning of solar installations on their property.

Introduced, 3/28/2025

SB349 RE: Bonding of Solar Installations (by Sen. Gene Yaw, et al)

Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources), in environmental protection, adding a chapter to provide for decommissioning of solar energy facilities. Provides definitions. Mandates a solar energy facility agreement executed after the effective date to provide that the grantee is responsible for decommissioning the grantee’s solar energy facility on the surface property owner's property per this chapter no later than 18 months after the facility has ceased producing electricity, except for an instance when the grantee is actively working to recommence production of electricity, including an instance after the occurrence of a force majeure or similar event. Requires proof of financial assurance. Stipulates that the amount of financial assurance shall be equal to the estimated cost to decommission the solar energy facility. Requires a grantee to deliver a decommissioning plan and proof of financial assurance to the county recorder of deeds, providing guidelines. Specifies what shall be an acceptable form of financial assurance. Prohibits a decommissioning plan, the associated financial assurance and the salvage value of a solar energy facility to reduce the financial assurance from being separated from the solar energy facility through a change in grantee ownership. Provides guidelines for the new grantee and the prior grantee. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection, by regulations and in consultation with the solar energy industry, to develop a provisional standard form for a decommissioning plan and financial assurance to be filed with the county recorder of deeds. Specifies what temporary regulations shall not be subject to. Outlines the contents that the provisional standard form and final standard form shall include. Provides for the prevention of forced labor. Provides for the preemption of local ordinances and regulations, asserting that the regulation of the decommissioning of solar energy facilities is a matter of general statewide interest that requires uniform statewide regulation. Establishes what the requirements under this chapter shall not apply to.

Reported as committed from Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and read first time, 3/24/2025

Read second time, 3/31/2025

Cosponsor memos filed

HCO1799 - Lightning Plan: Get Stuff Built with the RESET Board (by Rep. Mandy Steele)

Establishes the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

HCO1803 - Lightning Plan: PACER (by Rep. Aerion Abney)

Establishes community energy, a framework for communities to reap the benefits of clean, renewable energy more easily.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO850  - Lightning Plan: Improve the EDGE Tax Credit (Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D)

Refines the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credit (“EDGE 2.0”) to include a new reliable energy investment tax credit, a revised dairy production tax credit, a revised regional clean hydrogen tax credit, updated to the semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical manufacturing and research tax credit and a new sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO851  - Lightning Plan: Modernize Energy Efficiency in the Commonwealth (by Sen. Lisa M. Boscola)

Updates Act 129 of 2008, providing more money for consumers when they shop for new appliances, increasing the flexibility of our utilities to encourage larger efficiency investments by industrial customers, and catalyzing the investments increasing energy efficiency.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO852  - Lightning Plan: Community Energy (by Sen. Judy L. Schwank)

Provides customers the option to choose from a diverse array of energy sources including solar, geothermal, renewable natural gas, or energy storage devices.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO853  - Lightning Plan: PACER (by Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta)

Creates an emissions reduction program that leverages Pennsylvania’s advantages as a major energy producer to reduce climate emissions while also directly lowering prices for Pennsylvanians through an electric bill rebate.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO854  - Lightning Plan: Get Stuff Built with the RESET Board (by Sen. John I. Kane)

Creates the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition (RESET) Board under the Lightning Plan, creating a new pathway to speed up eligible projects while recognizing the need for community engagement and other prerequisites for project success.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

SCO855  - Lightning Plan: PRESS (by Sen. Steven J. Santarsiero)

Creates the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) within the Lightning Plan to build on the successful elements of AEPS and adding nuclear power and next generation technologies like fusion, and incentivizing lower emissions for gas-fired power plants.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025

HB660 RE: Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards (by Rep. Jennifer O'Mara, et al)

The Pennsylvania Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act provides for minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold in this commonwealth; imposes penalties; and repeals all acts and parts of acts insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this act. Outlines legislative findings. Establishes what products the provisions of this act apply to. Specifies limitations. Provides definitions. Requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to promulgate regulations establishing minimum efficiency standards for the types of new products listed no later than one year after the effective date, outlining the minimum efficiency standards that the regulations shall provide for. Provides for implementation, detailing the requirement of efficiency and the restriction on installation. Directs EQB to set efficiency standards on a determination that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy or water conservation in this commonwealth and would be cost-effective for consumers who purchase and use the products, provided that no increased efficiency standards shall become effective within one year following the adoption of any amended regulations establishing increased efficiency standards. Provides for product testing and imposes duties on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Requires compliance through DEP certification and compliance to mark, label or tag products. Permits DEP to cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products listed in order to determine compliance. Outlines the complaint process. Abrogates all regulations and parts of regulations to the extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of this act.

Reported as amended from House Energy Committee, read first time, and laid on the table, 3/17/2025 

HB871 RE: Clean Streams Legislation (by Rep. David H. Zimmerman, et al)

Amends the Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, providing for notice of discharge endangering public health or environment. Establishes notification requirements of Discharge Endangering Public Health or Environment. Requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to publish for public comment proposed regulations establishing reportable quantities or other readily ascertainable standards by which a person may determine whether a spill, discharge or release is likely to render the receiving water harmful no later than 180 days after the effective date. Adds that no later than 365 days after the effective date, the EQB must promulgate final regulations establishing reportable quantities or other readily ascertainable standards by which a person may determine whether a spill, discharge or release is likely to render the receiving water harmful.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/11/2025

HB872 RE: Watershed Storm Water Management Plan Exemption - Municipalities with No Public Water or Sewer System (by Rep. David H. Zimmerman, et al)

Amends the Storm Water Management Act, further providing for watershed storm water plans and contents. Exempts a municipality that does not have a public water or sewer system from participating in the watershed storm water management plan.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/11/2025

HB873 RE: DEP Permitting Review Timeframes – Erosion & Sediment Control Program (Rep. David H. Zimmerman, et al)

The Erosion and Sediment Control Permit Act provides for an erosion and sediment control permit, for compliance, for annual report and for duties of the Department of Environmental Protection. Adds definitions. Requires any person proposing an earth disturbance activity to obtain an erosion and sediment control permit from the department prior to their activity, unless the project is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements. Outlines the issuance of permit process and requirements, including approval and denial criteria and notification requirements. Establishes annual reporting requirements.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/11/2025

HB874 RE: Amend "Community Water Systems" as defined in PA Safe Drinking Water Act (Rep. David H. Zimmerman, et al)

Amends the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for definitions and for variances and exemptions. Excludes a facility that is both owned by a church, association of churches or other religious body or institution which qualified for the exemption of taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501 (relating to exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.) and relies upon a privately owned water well for its drinking water supply from the definition of “public water system.” Adds assessment requirements, including recognition of no recorded illness derived from microbial contaminants present in the public water system and no evidence of microbial contaminants in the system to exemptions. Makes technical and editorial adjustments.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/11/2025

HB958 RE: MS4 Data and Testing Expansion (by Rep. Barbara Gleim, et al)

Amends the Storm Water Management Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources; and making editorial changes. Changes “Department of Environmental Resources” to “Department of Environmental Protection” (DEP). Changes “Department of Community Affairs” to “Department of Community and Economic Development.” Directs DEP to conduct annual active water quality testing of surface waters within a watershed storm water plan. Provides for alternatives if DEP does not have the resources to conduct required water quality testing.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/18/2025

HB969 RE: Limiting Light Pollution (by Rep. Chris Pielli, et al)

The Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act provides for management of responsible outdoor night lighting; and imposes duties on the Department of General Services. Establishes intent. Provides several definitions. Restricts a state agency, state-related institution or state-aided entity from installing or replacing permanent outdoor lighting units or lamps. Provides replacement and repositioning of current lighting units. Lists exceptions. Required collaboration between the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Stipulates the act shall not supersede any other federal or state law controlling lighting, outdoor lighting units or signage, outdoor advertising, displays or devices. Provides applicability.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/19/2025

SB256 RE: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, et al)

The Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act provides for standards for carbon monoxide alarms in child care facilities; and imposes penalties. Provides several definitions. Explains nothing in this act is intended to modify the authority and responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act. Establishes carbon monoxide alarm requirements in child care facilities. Provides for licensure.

Reported as committed from Senate Health and Human Services Committee, 4/1/2025

HB1143 RE: Indemnification Agreements (by Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein, et al)

An Act amending the act of July 9, 1970 (P.L.484, No.164), entitled "An act relating to indemnification agreements between architects, engineers or surveyors and owners, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers and indemnification agreements relating to snow removal or ice control services," further providing for title of act; and providing for indemnification agreements relative to construction contracts, including agreements for architectural, engineering or land surveying services.

Referred to House Insurance Committee, 4/4/2025

SB399 RE: Reducing the Statute of Repose of Construction Projects (by Sen. Daniel Laughlin, et al)

Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), in limitation of time, further providing for construction projects. Revises length of years for statute of repose for construction projects. Defines “lawfully.” The statute of repose establishes the time frame following the completion of a construction project during which legal claims can be filed against architects, engineers, and contractors. By shortening this period to six years, the legislation seeks to limit frivolous lawsuits that may arise over a decade after construction due to factors like poor maintenance or modifications to the original building design.

Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee, 3/6/2025

SB6 RE: Transparency in Permitting (by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, et al)

The Permit Administration and Economic Development Act provides for the administration of permits by State agencies, for a tracking system for permit applications, for the establishment of permit programs, for third-party review of permit decision delays and for annual reports; establishes the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Economic Development Strategy Group; and provides for their powers and duties. Provides definitions. Requires that no later than 60 days after the effective date of the act, the state agencies must review the permit decisions and delays during the immediately preceding calendar year and submit a report. Outlines the list of permits required for publication and adds a time requirement of no later than 90 days for the completion of the initial list. Requires agencies to establish and maintain a publicly available tracking system for permit applications and outlines notice and system content requirements. Establishes notice of incomplete and technically deficient application requirements. Outlines the time limit and the tolling period. Establishes notice of permit changes and expiration requirements and provides for the validity of permits. Requires state agencies to establish a program to review permit decision delays and resolve issues causing permit decision delays and allows for third-party contracts. Outlines the review, issuance and approval process. Establishes annual reporting requirements and outlines the content. Establishes the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity to facilitate the implementation of transformational economic development projects. Provides for the duties of the office including creating a systematic process to monitor the progress of economic development projects, establishing and monitoring the progress of additional projects, working in partnership with the department, establishing objectives and targets, establishing and monitoring time-based standards, working in partnership with the department and all relevant State agencies, Outlines the staffing and administration requirements and establishes reporting requirements. Establishes the Economic Development Strategy Group within the Governor’s Office. Outlines membership criteria and prohibits compensation of members. Effective in 60 days.

Referred to Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, 3/19/2025

SB403 RE: Stream Maintenance Package (by Sen. Gene Yaw, et al)

Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a continuous maintenance permit for which the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) or a municipality may apply, stipulating that the permit shall allow permittees to maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments as specified within the permit. Mandates DEP to approve an application for a permit to an applicant if the applicant is without a sustained history of significant permit violations under this act and takes an affirmative duty over the watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments delineated in the permit application. Provides for the submission of a watercourse alone. Allows a permittee to amend the permit. Does not require a permittee to seek preapproval or further authorization from DEP for maintenance conducted under the permit. Specifies what the permit shall provide for. Outlines what a permittee shall provide to DEP by Jan. 15 of each year. Stipulates that a permit granted by DEP to a permittee shall be in effect for no less than 10 years. Directs DEP to extend a permit to a permittee for 10 years following 10 years of operation without a permit violation. Asserts that a permit violation shall be found to have occurred when the permittee failed to address an alleged violation in the manner prescribed by DEP within one year of receipt of the notice of an alleged permit violation, but not when a permittee removes or manipulates obstructions or debris within or along a watercourse in a manner that enables water obstructions, appurtenant works or encroachments specified within the permit to operate consistent with applicable plans, specifications, reports and designs previously prepared by a registered professional engineer. Mandates the permittee to accept an affirmative duty to maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments as specified within the permit.

Referred to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, 3/17/2025 

Reported as committed from Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, read first time, and re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 3/24/2025 

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, 3/24/2025 

Read second time, 3/25/2025 

Read third time, and passed Senate, 3/26/2025 

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/31/2025

SB404 RE Stream Maintenance Package (by Sen. Gene Yaw, et al)

Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit authorizations. Permits a county conservation district with an approved delegation agreement per sections 6 and 17 and sections 9(11) and 11(2) of the Conservation District Law to administer certain activities under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management) to request an amendment to the approved delegation agreement for the Water Obstruction and Encroachment Program from the department for the specified purposes. Allows a county conservation district to propose methodologies for stream reconstruction activities in response to or in anticipation of significant flood events to restore the natural regimen and ecology of watercourses using appropriate methodologies that are based on current scientific principles and practices and are per 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105. Directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to review a proposed county stream reconstruction program for conformance with current scientific principles and practices and 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105 and provide a record of decision on the proposed county stream reconstruction program to the county conservation district, including a detailed technical review of the proposed county stream reconstruction program. Outlines duties and provisions for county conservation districts and DEP upon approval of the county stream reconstruction program. Provides for persons aggrieved by a county conservation district or DEP. Mandates DEP to provide notice to each county conservation district of the availability of a county stream reconstruction program within 60 days of the effective date.

Referred to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, 3/17/2025 

Reported as committed from Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, read first time, and re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 3/24/2025 

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, 3/24/2025 

Read second time, 3/25/2025 

Read third time, and passed Senate, 3/26/2025 

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/31/2025

HB897 RE: American-Made Prioritization in State Procurement (Rep. Eric Davanzo, et al)

Amends Title 62 (Procurement), in general provisions relating to Commonwealth Procurement Code, further providing for definitions and providing for prioritization of American-made supplies. Defines “American-made.” Directs the Department of General Services to prioritize the procurement of American-made supplies and incorporate the prioritization into the department's procurement policies, procedures and specifications. Directs the Secretary of General Services to transmit notice of determinations on supplies to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Provides for objections of determinations by people or businesses. Provides for applicability.

Referred to House State Government Committee, 3/13/2025

HB575 RE: Transition – Academic Credit for Military Training (by Rep. Jacob D. Banta, et al)

Amends Titles 51 (Military Affairs) and 53 (Municipalities Generally), in professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and providing for policy for the award of academic credit for military training; and making editorial changes. Amends Chapter 75 name to read “Licenses and Credits for Military Service and Training.” Adds subchapters A relative to preliminary provisions, B relative to professional and occupational licenses and C relative to academic credit for Title 51. Defines “institution of higher education.” Requires the Department of Education (PDE) to adopt a policy for the award of academic credit to a student enrolled in an institution of higher education who has successfully completed a military training course or program, or who has obtained experiential learning, as part of the student's military service that is applicable to the student's certificate or degree requirements. Provides requirements for recommendation for academic credit, military transcript or written documentation by any of the armed forces of the United States. Provides duties of PDE. Requires copies of the PDE policy to be made and placed in an institution’s public catalog. Makes editorial changes to reflect the Chapter 75 title name.

Reported from House Education Committee, with request to re-refer to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, and re-referred to House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, 3/17/2025 

SB444 RE: Automatic Three-Year Review of Economically Significant Regulations (by Sen. Michele Brooks, et al)

Amends the Regulatory Review Act, further providing for definitions and for existing regulations. Adds a definition for “economically significant regulation.” Establishes reporting requirements after an economically significant regulation has been in effect for three years.

Referred to Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, 3/17/2025 

HB1081 RE: Cyber Charter School Moratorium on Buildings (by Rep. Jim Prokopiak, et al)

Amends the Public School Code, in charter schools, providing for moratorium on buildings. Prohibits a cyber charter school from owning, purchasing or leasing property beginning on the effective date. Restricts an educational management service provider from owning, purchasing or leasing property on behalf of a cyber charter school beginning on the effective date of this subsection. Stipulates that the subsections do not apply to property owned, purchased or leased on or before the effective date of the subsection.

Referred to House Education Committee, 4/1/2025

SB497 RE: Radon Protection (by Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione, et al)

Requires all residential rental properties, schools, and newly constructed properties in the Commonwealth to receive proper radon testing.

Referred to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, 3/21/2025

HB1038 RE: Green Roof Tax Credit (by Rep. Mandy Steele, et al)

Amends the Tax Reform Code, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and adding Article XIX-L to provide for green roof tax credit. Amends the definition of “tax credit” to include Article XIX-L. Provides additional definitions. Requires filing application for tax credit and lists required contents of application. Mandates commitment agreement if an application meets all required information. Provides stipulations for agreement. Establishes credit and limitations. Stipulates that a business or individual that has received and taken the credit must repay the credit to the commonwealth if the business or individual fails to maintain the green roof in accordance with the provisions of the commitment agreement.

Referred to House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, 3/25/2025 

Cosponsor memo filed

HCO1914 - Tax Relief Through Abatements for Dwelling Construction and Improvement (by Rep. Jared G. Solomon)

Modifies existing law to allow the clock on the 30 months of property tax abatement to begin ticking either from the date a building permit is issued or when construction actually begins, whichever occurs later.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/24/2025 

HR97 RE: Recognizing “Career and Technology Week” and “National Skilled Trades Day” (by Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, et al)

A Resolution recognizing the week of May 4 through 10, 2025, as "Career and Technology Week" and recognizing May 7, 2025, as "National Skilled Trades Day" in Pennsylvania.

Referred to House Labor and Industry Committee, 3/3/2025

SB315 RE: Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant Funding Fix (by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, et al)

Reintroduction of Senate Bill 1342  of 2023-24 session. Amends the School Code to provide more predictability regarding Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant Funding.

Reported as committed from Senate Education Committee, and read first time, 3/25/2025 

Read second time, and re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 3/26/2025 

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed Senate, 4/2/2025 (49-0)

Referred to House Education Committee, 4/3/2025

Cosponsor memo filed

HCO1804 - Supporting Local Workers on State Transportation Projects (by Rep. Carol Kazeem, et al)

Requires the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to include a project labor agreement (PLA) on all eligible large-scale transportation construction projects, which will guarantee that awarded contractors hire at least 10% of their workforce from labor unions or local workers within the area of a project’s location.

Cosponsor memo filed, 3/11/2025