Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 611: An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, providing for deconstruction standards; and imposing penalties.

HB 611 requires deconstruction (systematic dismantling to maximize material reuse) for primary dwelling structures (1-4 unit homes built before January 1, 1930) prior to demolition or renovation. It mandates a documented 85% landfill diversion rate by weight and one salvaged item per 500 square meters of structure, with exceptions for economic or practical infeasibility. Only certified deconstruction contractors - verified by the Department of Labor and Industry through a training program - may perform work, and owners or their agents are responsible for compliance. The bill creates new enforcement standards under Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act, focusing on material reuse over recycling or landfill disposal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 85% landfill diversion and material reuse for historic homes, reducing waste and conserving resources per deconstruction standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 684: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for notification to public drinking water systems.

SB 684 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas statutes to update provisions for notifying public and private drinking water systems about spills. The bill requires the Department to investigate spills upon receiving notification. After investigating, the Department must notify any public drinking water facility or private well owner that could be affected by the event. This notification must include a brief description of the spill and any expected impact on water quality.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates notification of water systems after spills, requiring investigation and impact disclosure to protect water quality, aligning with environmental protection indicators.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 664: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1996 (P.L.1478, No.190), entitled "An act relating to the recycling and reuse of waste tires; providing for the proper disposal of waste tires and the cleanup of stockpiled tires; authorizing investment tax credits for utilizing waste tires; providing remediation grants for the cleanup of tire piles and for pollution prevention programs for small business and households; establishing the Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program and management standards for small business hazardous waste; providing for a household hazardous waste program and for grant programs; making appropriations; and making repeals," in waste tire recycling, providing for replacement tires.

Senate Bill 664 amends an existing law related to waste tire recycling to introduce new requirements for replacement tires. It mandates that when an individual replaces a vehicle tire at a business that sells tires, the business must keep the old tire for recycling. The individual is not permitted to remove the waste tire from the business. This provision applies to tires that no longer meet safety inspection standards or are expected to fail within three months, but not to tires that are only being repaired.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates tire recycling at point of sale, preventing improper disposal and reducing pollution from stockpiled tires per bill's requirements and cleanup provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 650: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for use of dealer registration plates; and, in inspection of vehicles, providing for duty of department.

HB 650 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation to maintain at least five physical locations statewide where auto dealers can obtain vehicle registration plates and safety/emissions inspection stickers. Each location must be open for dealers at least two days per week for a minimum of three hours daily, with locations spread across different regions and one specifically in a city of the third class (population 48,000-55,000). The bill directly affects auto dealers who rely on these services for vehicle transactions and compliance, ensuring more accessible in-person access to registration and inspection services.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires emissions inspections for vehicles, directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection standards.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT to maintain dealer service locations for vehicle registration/inspections, ensuring accessibility and operational efficiency in vehicle regulation within transportation infrastructure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 873: An Act providing for an erosion and sediment control permit, for compliance, for annual report and for duties of the Department of Environmental Protection.

This bill requires most construction and land development projects to obtain an erosion and sediment control permit from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before starting earth disturbance work (like clearing land or building). It sets a 45-day deadline for DEP to process permits, or 20 days if a licensed engineer submits the application, and mandates clear written reasons for denials. The DEP must also submit an annual report to the legislature by January 31st, detailing permit applications, approvals, processing times, staff workload, and fees collected by industry sector. This directly affects construction companies, developers, and the DEP, which must manage permits and reporting under new timelines and transparency requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires erosion/sediment permits for construction, mandating DEP oversight to prevent environmental damage from soil runoff and ensuring regulatory compliance.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 580: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for public health; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection relating to lead levels in soil; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes new limits for lead in soil at playgrounds and adjacent areas in Pennsylvania. It requires that bare soil on playgrounds must not exceed 200 parts per million (ppm) of lead, and soil in the surrounding yard must not exceed 1,200 ppm. The Department of Environmental Protection will enforce these limits and can issue compliance orders or penalties for violations involving owners or operators of playgrounds, schools, child care centers, and other entities maintaining such areas. These requirements directly affect public and private facilities where children play, aiming to reduce lead exposure risks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes strict lead soil limits (200ppm in playgrounds) to protect public health and reduce environmental contamination, strengthening pollution control regulations.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1277: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in plants and plant products, providing for plant and pollinator protection; conferring powers and duties on the Department of Agriculture and Secretary of Agriculture; establishing the Plant and Pollinator Protection Committee and the Plant and Pollinator Protection Account; repealing provisions relating to bees; imposing penalties; and making repeals.

HB 1277 creates Pennsylvania's first comprehensive plant and pollinator protection law, directly affecting plant merchants, beekeepers, and businesses distributing plants or managed pollinators. The bill requires licenses for these operations, mandates inspections and pest surveys, and establishes a new Plant and Pollinator Protection Committee and dedicated funding account. It replaces outdated bee-related laws with updated provisions for managing pests, invasive species, and enforcing compliance through penalties and "stop orders" for violations. The law also introduces "compliance agreements" to prevent pest spread and repeals older statutes governing bees.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Pennsylvania's first comprehensive plant/pollinator protection law with mandatory inspections, licenses, dedicated funding, and pest/invasive species management to strengthen environmental safeguards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 7, 2025

HB 587: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for commercial haulers and brokers of animal and food processing residuals; and imposing penalties.

HB 587 amends Pennsylvania's agriculture laws to establish regulations for businesses that transport waste from animal and food processing (referred to as "residuals" in the bill). The bill requires commercial haulers and brokers to follow specific handling and transportation standards for these materials and imposes fines for non-compliance. This directly affects companies that move agricultural waste, aiming to improve safety and environmental management through clear, enforceable rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates agricultural waste transport to prevent environmental harm, strengthening management standards through enforceable rules and penalties.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill imposes transportation standards for residuals to enhance safety/environmental management, directly strengthening regulatory oversight of commercial hauler operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 1915: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for junior hunter projects.

HB 1915 amends Pennsylvania's game laws to further support junior hunter projects managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill directly affects young hunters (typically minors) by expanding access to educational and supervised hunting programs focused on safety and conservation. Key provisions update the statutes to clarify the commission's authority and structure for these initiatives. The bill was referred to the Game & Fisheries committee on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly states conservation as a goal for junior hunter programs, promoting wildlife resource management and responsible hunting practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 11, 2025

HB 1794: An Act providing for the Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program; establishing the Waterfront Redevelopment Fund; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1794 creates a Waterfront Redevelopment Fund to provide grants for revitalizing waterfront areas across the state. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to manage the fund and distribute grants to eligible local projects, such as public access improvements or environmental upgrades. This bill directly affects municipalities, community groups, and developers working on waterfront sites by providing dedicated funding for redevelopment initiatives. The program establishes clear administrative procedures for grant applications and disbursement under the department's oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Waterfront Redevelopment Fund to allocate state budget resources for grants, directly funding public access and environmental projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds 'environmental upgrades' as eligible projects for waterfront redevelopment grants, directly advancing conservation and pollution control through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Tags Economic Development

Track