An Act amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits.
SB 403 creates a new "continuous maintenance permit" for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to issue to the Department of Transportation or municipalities. This permit allows these entities to routinely maintain, inspect, and monitor watercourses, obstructions, and related structures without needing separate preapproval for each maintenance task. Permits last at least 10 years, require annual reports on maintenance activities, and include specific rules to avoid violations (like not needing approval for routine debris removal that aligns with engineering plans). The bill directly affects state transportation agencies and local governments responsible for water infrastructure maintenance.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 17, 2025
Last action Mar 31, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2025
How they voted
29–20
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 26, 2025
D
Democratic22
90% Nay
R
Republican27
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Mar 31, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy
upper
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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