Summary of Legislative Activity | December 2024
Summary Legislation
General Assembly Set to Begin New Legislative Session
The 2024 elections behind them, newly-elected and veteran legislators spent the month of December establishing new offices, spending time at home, and preparing to reintroduce bills that did not make it to the Governor in the now completed 2023-24 legislative session. Roughly 1000 cosponsorship memos have been sent out by the Representatives and Senators already, announcing their intention to introduce bills on a wide variety of subjects, when the new session begins on January 7.
Below are the memos that are of interest to your organization. Many are reintroductions, some new. Since the numerical majorities in the House and Senate are identical to what they were last session, those bills that did not move last time may have a struggle getting going this time, but time will tell. The new session runs through November 30, 2026.
Best wishes for a successful legislative session. We appreciate the trust you have in working with us, and we will do our best to help you meet your goals.
This Month in the PA Bulletin:
GOVERNORS OFFICE: PA PERMIT FAST TRACK PROGRAM
The Governor’s Office established the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program. Additional information is available in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol54/54-50/1766.html
Legislative Activity
The following bills and co-sponsorship memos for bills to be introduced of interest to PSPE were acted on by the General Assembly this past month.
Environmental Building Standards
HCO413 - Expanding the Use of Mechanical Insulation in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs (Former HB491) (by Rep. Regina G. Young)
Prohibits the PUC from disapproving a plan due to the inclusion of mechanical insulation.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/9/2024
SCO249 - Expanding the Use of Mechanical Insulation Under Act 129 (by Sen. Wayne Langerholc)
Expands the use of mechanical insulation in existing energy efficiency and conservation programs by ensuring that all uses of mechanical insulation are eligible for inclusion in Act 129 programs, eliminating the need to wait for the full reopening of the TRM and providing permanent assurance that mechanical insulation qualifies under Act 129.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/5/2024
Local/State Government/Regulations
SCO314 - Ensuring Competition in UCC Enforcement (by Sen. Daniel Laughlin)
Proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, aimed at enhancing fairness and choice for property owners in municipalities that enforce the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) through third-party agencies by requiring municipalities utilizing third-party agencies for UCC enforcement to contract with at least two certified agencies, ensuring property owners have a choice.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/10/2024
Permitting
SCO88 - DEP Permitting Appeals (by Sen. Camera Bartolotta)
Ensures the appellate process for certain categories of permitting decisions made by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are consistent with federal law.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/2/2024
SCO 246 - Transparency in Permitting (Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill)
Extends agency requirements for permit and license tracking requirements to increase transparency throughout the process by requiring agencies to post information about permits and licenses they grant on their website, to create an accessible tracking system for applicants to check the status of their applications and to clearly state the legal authority that the agency relies on when rejecting a permit application.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/5/2024
Procurement
HCO33 - Design Build Best Value Procurement (by Rep. Ed Neilson)
Aims to allow the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Turnpike Commission to use Design Build Best Value (DBBV) as an alternative procurement process for infrastructure design and construction.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/2/2024
Professional Licensure
HCO284 - Advisory Opinions from Licensing Boards – Former HB 1364 (by Rep. Keith J. Greiner)
Permits licensed professionals to receive guidance from licensing boards and commissions under the Department of State concerning the meaning or interpretation of an act or regulation.
Cosponsor memo filed, 12/5/2024
Upcoming Meetings of Interest
Some House Committee meetings and session can be viewed online at: https://www.pahouse.net/LegisTrak/CommitteeMeetings
Senate Committee meetings and session can be streamed at: https://www.pasenategop.com/watch/
The 2023-24 Session Ended Officially on November 30
2025 House Session Schedule
January 7, 27, 28, 29
February 3, 4, 5
March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
April 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24
May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30
September 22 (NV), 23 (NV), 24 (NV), 29, 30
October 1, 6, 7, 8, 27, 28, 29
November 17, 18, 19
December 8 (NV), 9 (NV), 10 (NV), 15, 16, 17
2025 Spring Senate Session
January- 7, 27, 28, 29
February- 3, 4, 5
March- 24, 25, 26, 31
April- 1, 2
May- 5, 6, 7, 12, 13
June- 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Meeting Schedule
PUBLIC WELCOME
All Board meetings are held in person and remotely via Teams. In-person meetings will be held at a new location: 2525 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA
2025 dates: January 30, March 27, May 15, July 24, September 18 (York College), November 13
2026 dates: January 14, March 18, May 20, July 22, September 23, December 2
2027 dates: January 13, March 10, May 12, July 14, September 15, November 17
State Geospatial Coordinating Board
GeoBoard Quarterly Meetings 2025 Feb 20, May 22, Aug 14, Nov 13
New meeting location!: HYBRID virtual conference & in person at: Pennsylvania Geological Survey 3240 Schoolhouse Rd, Middletown, PA 17057
L&I: UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS
NONE
Take Action
PSPE PAC
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Download the PAC contribution form to support the PSPE Political Action Committee.
Contact Your State Rep and Ask them to Support Senate Bill 403
Senate Bill 403, formerly House Bill 1801, amends the Registration Act for Professional Engineers to address several cumbersome provisions that impede licensing. Currently, an applicant to be granted licensure as a professional engineer must hold an engineer-in-training certificate and show proof of four or more years of experience in engineering work performed after the issuance of their engineer-in-training certificate. In some cases, an individual may have the years of required experience and training, but it may have occurred prior to them obtaining their engineer-in-training certificate in Pennsylvania. This bill allows for the experience earned prior to the passage of the EIT to apply as well as some other updates to the Act that more closely align with the national model law adopted by NCEES. It also clarifies that the “practice of engineering” is not limited to only those projects that involve a “design”. Take Action Now.
Advocate to End Licensing Exemptions
Call your members of Congress and support ending licensing exemptions on public utility pipelines. The National Transportation Safety Board’s report on the deadly pipeline explosion in Massachusetts in September 2018 calls for a significant legislative change that NSPE has strongly advocated for years: elimination of professional engineer licensure exemptions. Take action now.
