Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HR 580: A Resolution designating July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's conservation efforts for the endangered piping plover. The measure recognizes the bird's successful return to Presque Isle State Park, where habitat restoration has supported nesting for ten consecutive years. By officially marking this date, the bill highlights the collaborative work between state agencies, federal partners, and conservation groups to protect the species and its beach habitat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill honors successful conservation efforts and habitat restoration for an endangered species, highlighting protective collaboration.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 426: An Act providing for duties of Commonwealth agencies regarding native plants and for duties of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats and native plants.

HB 426, the Native Habitats at Commonwealth Facilities Act, requires Pennsylvania state agencies to prioritize native plants (untreated with systemic insecticides) in landscape projects at state facilities. Agencies must consider environmental benefits like supporting pollinators, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water when planning such projects. The bill defines a "pollinator meadow" as an area with at least 50% native wildflowers, including milkweed seed, and protected from insecticides. This applies to Commonwealth agencies (e.g., state departments and offices) but excludes judicial and legislative bodies, and also sets duties for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates native plant use and pollinator habitats in state facilities, directly supporting biodiversity, erosion control, and water conservation per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2229: An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act, in general provisions, further providing for powers and duties of the department.

HB 2229 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify and expand the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) authority. It requires the DEP to propose a state fund funded by facility surcharges if federal hazardous waste cleanup funding proves inadequate, targeting abandoned or closed hazardous waste sites. The bill also establishes new regulations for the "beneficial use" of municipal and residual waste, including mandatory monitoring for waste stored longer than one year and requiring facilities to report changes in waste properties. Additionally, it mandates that the DEP forward EPA violation notices to affected municipalities and allows municipalities to opt out of receiving these notices. These changes directly affect waste management facilities, municipalities handling residual waste, and the DEP's enforcement processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands DEP authority for hazardous waste cleanup, mandates monitoring for waste storage, and creates state fund to address federal funding gaps - strengthening environmental protections for waste sites.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2553: An Act amending the act of November 23, 2010 (P.L.1083, No.108), known as the Covered Device Recycling Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in duties of manufacturers and retailers, further providing for sales prohibition, for registration and for manufacturer plan and reporting; and, in administration, further providing for duties of department, for annual report and for enforcement.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act to update definitions and strengthen recycling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. It clarifies which electronics count as covered devices, such as computers, smartphones, and printers, while explicitly excluding items like landline phones and devices built into other appliances. The legislation also introduces a sales prohibition mechanism, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain a list of non-compliant brands that cannot be sold in the state. Additionally, the bill mandates stricter registration, reporting, and enforcement duties for companies involved in the sale of covered devices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, reduces e-waste, and protects natural resources by updating definitions and enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible disposal of technology devices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 508: A Resolution designating the week of June 7 through 13, 2026, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the week of June 7 through 13, 2026, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" throughout Pennsylvania. It directly affects state residents and officials by encouraging them to hold events and educational programs to highlight the bay's environmental and economic significance. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes environmental awareness of the Chesapeake Bay, encouraging educational programs and highlighting ecological significance.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 1261: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals (toxic pollutants) in firefighting gear, mandates PFAS-free equipment purchases, and creates grants for replacement, directly reducing environmental contamination and protecting public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear to protect firefighters' health, directly advancing public health safety for medical professionals through equipment restrictions and grant programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans PFAS in firefighting gear, mandating safer equipment for firefighters, directly improving workplace safety for a specific labor group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 501: An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further providing for definitions; providing for force majeure; further providing for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states, for health and safety standards and for interagency responsibilities; providing for zero emissions credits; and making editorial changes.

HB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAdds 'advanced reactor' and refines hydropower criteria to expand eligible renewable sources under portfolio standards, directly advancing renewable energy compliance requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds advanced reactors and refines hydropower to expand renewable energy compliance, promoting clean energy adoption under portfolio standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 16, 2025

HB 1379: An Act amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests and establishing the Forest Fire Warden Fund.

HB 1379 creates a dedicated "Forest Fire Warden Fund" within the Pennsylvania state treasury to reimburse local forest fire wardens for approved activities. The bill establishes that funds from this new account will cover expenses related to controlled burns, fire investigations, public safety events, training, and mutual aid requests made to emergency management agencies. It directly affects local forest fire wardens and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by providing a clear funding mechanism for their operational costs. This procedural change streamlines reimbursement processes under the existing Conservation and Natural Resources Act without altering forest management policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund for fire warden reimbursement, directly funding essential public safety programs within state budget framework95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest fire management including controlled burns to protect forest ecosystems under Conservation Act, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 2, 2025

HB 1713: An Act amending the act of May 19, 1995 (P.L.33, No.3), known as the Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act, further providing for definitions.

HB 1713 amends the 1995 Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act by clarifying specific definitions within the law. It directly affects economic development agencies, fiduciaries, and lenders operating under this environmental liability protection framework. The bill's key mechanism is updating terminology to improve clarity and consistency in how environmental liability protections apply. This procedural amendment focuses on refining the legal language rather than changing substantive protections. The bill passed final passage on November 19, 2025, and was referred to the Urban Affairs & Housing committee.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAmends environmental liability protection law to clarify definitions, maintaining business liability shields rather than advancing environmental protections.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 24, 2025

HB 1811: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property and buildings, further providing for price paid for acquisitions and improvements.

HB 1811 sets a $400 per acre maximum limit for the Pennsylvania Game Commission when purchasing land for game conservation in counties classified as sixth, seventh, or eighth class. This directly affects the Game Commission’s land acquisition costs for wildlife management in smaller counties. The bill clarifies that this price limit applies exclusively to these specific county classifications, ensuring purchases align with local market values while controlling expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill caps Game Commission land acquisition costs at $400/acre, controlling government spending and promoting fiscal responsibility per summary.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentSets $400/acre cap on conservation land purchases, restricting Commission's ability to acquire land at market rates for wildlife management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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