Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HR 580: A Resolution designating July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates July 18, 2026, as "Piping Plover Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's conservation efforts for the endangered piping plover. The measure recognizes the bird's successful return to Presque Isle State Park, where habitat restoration has supported nesting for ten consecutive years. By officially marking this date, the bill highlights the collaborative work between state agencies, federal partners, and conservation groups to protect the species and its beach habitat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill honors successful conservation efforts and habitat restoration for an endangered species, highlighting protective collaboration.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 426: An Act providing for duties of Commonwealth agencies regarding native plants and for duties of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats and native plants.

HB 426, the Native Habitats at Commonwealth Facilities Act, requires Pennsylvania state agencies to prioritize native plants (untreated with systemic insecticides) in landscape projects at state facilities. Agencies must consider environmental benefits like supporting pollinators, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water when planning such projects. The bill defines a "pollinator meadow" as an area with at least 50% native wildflowers, including milkweed seed, and protected from insecticides. This applies to Commonwealth agencies (e.g., state departments and offices) but excludes judicial and legislative bodies, and also sets duties for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates native plant use and pollinator habitats in state facilities, directly supporting biodiversity, erosion control, and water conservation per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2229: 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 powers and duties of the department.

HB 2229 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify and expand the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) authority. It requires the DEP to propose a state fund funded by facility surcharges if federal hazardous waste cleanup funding proves inadequate, targeting abandoned or closed hazardous waste sites. The bill also establishes new regulations for the "beneficial use" of municipal and residual waste, including mandatory monitoring for waste stored longer than one year and requiring facilities to report changes in waste properties. Additionally, it mandates that the DEP forward EPA violation notices to affected municipalities and allows municipalities to opt out of receiving these notices. These changes directly affect waste management facilities, municipalities handling residual waste, and the DEP's enforcement processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands DEP authority for hazardous waste cleanup, mandates monitoring for waste storage, and creates state fund to address federal funding gaps - strengthening environmental protections for waste sites.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2553: An Act amending the act of November 23, 2010 (P.L.1083, No.108), known as the Covered Device Recycling Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in duties of manufacturers and retailers, further providing for sales prohibition, for registration and for manufacturer plan and reporting; and, in administration, further providing for duties of department, for annual report and for enforcement.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act to update definitions and strengthen recycling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. It clarifies which electronics count as covered devices, such as computers, smartphones, and printers, while explicitly excluding items like landline phones and devices built into other appliances. The legislation also introduces a sales prohibition mechanism, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain a list of non-compliant brands that cannot be sold in the state. Additionally, the bill mandates stricter registration, reporting, and enforcement duties for companies involved in the sale of covered devices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, reduces e-waste, and protects natural resources by updating definitions and enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible disposal of technology devices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 2614: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for medical devices.

This bill creates a new chapter in Pennsylvania law to regulate medical devices by banning specific toxic chemicals known as ortho-phthalates, with a primary focus on DEHP. The legislation targets manufacturers of intravenous solution containers and tubing, which currently use these chemicals to make plastic flexible. By prohibiting the intentional addition of these substances, the bill aims to prevent the chemicals from leaching into patient fluids and reducing the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The law is based on findings that these compounds can act as endocrine disruptors, potentially harming reproductive health and contributing to drug resistance in cancer cells.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans toxic chemicals (ortho-phthalates) in medical devices to prevent leaching into patient fluids, reducing pollution and protecting environmental health.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill bans toxic chemicals in medical devices to prevent patient harm and protect health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 1261: An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for assistance to fire companies and EMS companies and providing for protection against PFAS chemicals and for firefighting protective equipment; in grants to fire companies and emergency medical services companies, further providing for award of grants; and imposing penalties.

HB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals (toxic pollutants) in firefighting gear, mandates PFAS-free equipment purchases, and creates grants for replacement, directly reducing environmental contamination and protecting public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear to protect firefighters' health, directly advancing public health safety for medical professionals through equipment restrictions and grant programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans PFAS in firefighting gear, mandating safer equipment for firefighters, directly improving workplace safety for a specific labor group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2034: An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for mushroom farming; imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; and establishing the Mushroom Farming and Composting Fund.

HB 2034 creates the Mushroom Farming and Composting Fund within Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture to support mushroom farmers and composting businesses. The bill requires the Department to manage the fund, which will provide financial assistance for mushroom farming operations and composting initiatives. It directly affects mushroom growers and composting businesses by establishing a dedicated funding source for their industry. The key policy change is the creation of this new fund, replacing any existing mechanisms for supporting these specific agricultural activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes the Mushroom Farming and Composting Fund, creating new state government spending for financial assistance to specific businesses within the budget.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFund supports composting initiatives, reducing organic waste in landfills and methane emissions, aligning with pollution control goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2025

HB 553: An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority certain lands situate in the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County; authorizing the transfer of an easement interest in lands for a portion of the Project 70 lands owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, known as Lake Winola Access, in Overfield Township, Wyoming County, to the Department of Transportation; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to convey to Tioga County a tract of land, and to accept a tract of land from Tioga County, both tracts being located in Charleston Township, Tioga County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, solely for the use of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a parcel in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, in exchange for a tract partly in Nesquehoning Borough and partly in Lehigh Township, Carbon County, to be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting by and through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and added to Lehigh Gorge State Park.

HB 553 authorizes several land transfers between Pennsylvania state agencies and local entities. It permits the Department of General Services to transfer specific lands in Harrisburg to the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority, convey an easement for Lake Winola Access in Wyoming County, and exchange parcels between Tioga County and the Commonwealth in Tioga County. The bill also facilitates a land swap involving the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, adding a parcel to Lehigh Gorge State Park. These actions directly affect state agencies, local governments, and park management, with no new policy changes beyond land ownership adjustments. The bill was enacted on June 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes land transfer to Lehigh Gorge State Park (conservation area) and facilitates easement for Lake Winola Access, supporting park expansion and recreational conservation.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes land transfers for transportation infrastructure projects including Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority, Project 70 lands, and Lake Winola Access easement, facilitating transportation development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment