SB 403 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

2920
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 26, 2025
D Democratic22
2 Yea 20 Nay
90% Nay
R Republican27
27 Yea
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