Environment (Water Quality)

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

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1236: An Act amending the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, further providing for potential pollution.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow construction sites disturbing between one and five acres to request a waiver from certain stormwater discharge permit requirements. Under the new provision, if a construction site meets specific federal criteria for a waiver, the state environmental department must grant it. The change applies to construction projects that would otherwise need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for stormwater runoff. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill waives stormwater discharge permit requirements for construction sites, reducing pollution control measures and weakening environmental protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2296: An Act amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for siting of wetland replacement.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by adding a formal definition for "wetland" and establishing specific rules for where wetland replacement projects must be located. The legislation directly affects developers, environmental regulators, and landowners involved in projects that impact wetlands, requiring them to follow a prioritized siting hierarchy. Under the new provisions, replacement wetlands must be placed immediately adjacent to the affected area whenever possible, with subsequent options including locations along the same watercourse, within the same watershed, or near higher-order streams if closer sites are unavailable. The bill also mandates that regulatory agencies reject replacement proposals in different watersheds unless all suitable local options have been exhausted, and requires documentation explaining why alternative sites were not feasible.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens wetland protection by establishing formal definitions and prioritized siting rules for wetland replacement, directly advancing environmental conservation and natural resource protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 2246: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.

HB 2246 would require large data centers in Pennsylvania to report water usage and undergo environmental reviews before construction. It mandates pre-application notification to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including detailed water use estimates, source assessments, and proof that withdrawals won’t harm other water users or water quality. The bill adds new permit conditions under the Clean Streams Law, requiring data centers to implement water conservation measures like closed-loop systems and water recycling. These provisions apply specifically to "covered data centers" (large facilities with significant water needs) and aim to protect local water resources while enabling data center development.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires data centers to report water use, undergo environmental reviews, and implement conservation measures to protect water quality and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 874: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, further providing for definitions and for variances and exemptions.

HB 874 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to clarify definitions and update rules for temporary exemptions. It specifically revises the definition of "public water system" to exclude religious facilities (like churches) using private wells for drinking water, while clarifying that systems serving at least 15 connections or 25 daily users qualify as public systems. The bill also modifies how the Department can grant exemptions from water quality standards, requiring proof that exemptions won’t risk health (including no microbial contaminant evidence) and setting federal expiration dates for such exemptions. These changes directly affect public water systems, small communities, and religious organizations relying on private wells, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes religious facilities using private wells from public water system regulations, reducing oversight for drinking water quality standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 659: An Act updating and expanding the storm water planning requirements to be undertaken by counties; authorizing counties to regulate storm water within a watershed-based planning area; authorizing the formation of water resources management authorities; enabling counties, municipalities and water resources management authorities to develop integrated water resources management plans; imposing duties and conferring powers on the Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Quality Board, counties, municipalities and water resources management authorities; providing for financing and for waiver of use for certain grant or loan funds; establishing the Integrated Water Resources Management Account; and making repeals.

HB 659 creates a new statewide framework for managing water resources by requiring counties and municipalities to develop watershed-based storm water and integrated water management plans. It authorizes counties to regulate storm water within specific watersheds, allows for the formation of water resources management authorities, and mandates coordinated planning across local governments. The bill establishes the Integrated Water Resources Management Account to fund these efforts and provides new mechanisms for grants, loans, and fee collection to support implementation. This replaces outdated storm water planning rules with a unified system aimed at addressing flooding, erosion, and water quality issues through coordinated local action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates watershed-based storm water planning, authorizes regulation to protect water resources, and establishes funding for integrated water management plans to reduce pollution and conserve resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 16, 2025

HB 1954: An Act providing for a moratorium on the privatization of public water and wastewater systems; establishing the Water Utility Reform Working Group; and making a repeal relating to valuation of acquired water and wastewater systems.

HB 1954 temporarily halts the privatization of public water and wastewater systems owned by municipalities. It creates a Water Utility Reform Working Group to develop long-term solutions for public water management. The bill also repeals a specific rule about valuing water systems acquired by public entities. This directly affects cities and towns operating public water services, preventing private companies from taking over these systems while the working group develops reforms.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents privatization of public water/wastewater systems, ensuring public control over critical environmental infrastructure and pollution prevention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 958: An Act amending the act of October 4, 1978 (P.L.864, No.167), known as the Storm Water Management Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources; and making editorial changes.

HB 958 amends Pennsylvania's 1978 Storm Water Management Act to update the Department of Environmental Resources to the Department of Environmental Protection and clarify its responsibilities. The bill requires the department to provide technical assistance to local governments for implementing storm water plans and conduct annual water quality testing of surface waters, with backup options for testing if resources are limited. It also streamlines the approval process for watershed storm water plans and clarifies grant eligibility for municipalities and counties to cover storm water management costs. These changes directly affect local governments, small storm sewer systems, and the state environmental department in managing storm water infrastructure and water quality.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires annual water quality testing, technical assistance for storm water plans, and streamlines watershed management - directly strengthening environmental protection under the Storm Water Management Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 665: 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 definitions; in residual waste, further providing for disposal, processing and storage of residual waste and providing for exempt special wastes; and making an editorial change.

HB 665 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to strengthen testing requirements for residual waste facilities. It requires facilities handling residual waste to test incoming waste and outgoing drainage water (leachate) for specific contaminants: water quality chemicals (chloride, bromide, sulfate, nitrate), hazardous characteristics (toxicity, corrosivity, ignitability), and naturally occurring radionuclides (uranium, radium, radon). Facilities must compare these test results quarterly and report them to the state environmental department and local municipalities. This directly affects waste processing and landfill operators managing residual waste, ensuring more comprehensive monitoring of potential environmental impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens testing requirements for contaminants in waste facilities, enhancing pollution control and environmental protection under solid waste management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 216: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in storm water management plans and facilities, further providing for fees.

SB 216 modifies Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to establish rules for storm water management fees. It allows townships to charge property owners fees based on benefits from storm water systems, with strict limits tied to federal water laws. The bill specifically protects agricultural properties: fees for farms with under 30% covered surfaces cannot exceed twice the township's median fee, and additional reductions apply for conservation costs tied to water quality plans. All collected fees must fund storm water management, and property owners must submit annual documentation to qualify for agricultural fee reductions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ties storm water fees to conservation costs for water quality, reduces fees for farms with conservation plans, and protects agricultural properties under environmental regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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