SB 1120 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement and remedies, establishing a private right of action.

SB 1120 allows individuals or groups directly harmed by oil and gas violations to sue companies or the state agency (the Department of Environmental Protection) directly, instead of waiting for the state to act. It creates a "private right of action" under Pennsylvania's oil and gas laws, enabling people to file civil lawsuits to enforce compliance with regulations, permits, or standards. However, if the state is already actively suing a violator, individuals cannot file their own lawsuit but may join the state's case without posting bond. The bill affects residents, landowners, or environmental groups near oil/gas operations who suffer harm from noncompliance. It does not change existing legal rights or preempt emergency response rules for well control.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 22, 2025 Last action Dec 22, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Dec 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors