SB 590 amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act by updating definitions to clarify which electronic products are subject to the state's recycling program. It explicitly adds "photovoltaic modules" (solar panels used in buildings or off-grid systems) to the list of covered devices while excluding mobile phones, personal digital assistants, GPS devices, and appliances like refrigerators. The bill defines "manufacturer" to include computer, television, and solar panel producers, specifying who must comply with existing recycling obligations. These changes refine the scope of the law without altering current requirements for covered devices.
This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission, Public Utility Commission, Department of Community and Economic Development, and Department of Environmental Protection to study the state's energy needs and develop recommendations for a comprehensive energy strategy. It requires these agencies to assess current energy policies, infrastructure, and environmental impacts to create a unified plan. The resolution does not create new laws but sets a process for agencies to collaborate on developing future energy policy.
HB 1135 prohibits the use of paraquat, a specific chemical pesticide, within Pennsylvania. It defines paraquat by its chemical identifier (CAS number 4685-14-7) and includes related salts, making it unlawful for farmers, agricultural businesses, or any pesticide users to apply it in the state. The bill amends Pennsylvania's 1973 Pesticide Control Act to add this prohibition, effective one year after enactment, and overrides any conflicting existing regulations. This directly affects pesticide users and applicators operating in Pennsylvania.
HB 1689 creates a "Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development Program" within Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection. It allows businesses or developers seeking permits to pay for expedited reviews by qualified professionals (e.g., engineers, geologists) who meet specific experience and ethics requirements. The program mandates a 10-business-day priority review timeline for eligible permits, with the qualified professional conducting an initial review and the permitting entity completing a final review within established deadlines. This change directly affects applicants for permits under the PA EDGE tax credit program by providing a faster, structured process for permit approvals.
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Economic Development
HB 597 establishes a one-year pilot program allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to hire underemployed and unemployed residents for daily community projects like park repairs and beautification. Participants would receive same-day pay for their work, with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources required to set eligibility rules, track data, and evaluate the program’s feasibility. The bill directs the department to report findings to the legislature after the pilot ends, without creating a permanent statewide program. It affects local governments and job seekers in participating communities, focusing on testing a temporary work model.
HB 272 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania municipalities and emergency service facilities (like fire stations, police departments, and ambulance services) install solar energy systems. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, awarding competitive grants to cover eligible costs such as solar equipment, installation, permits, and site assessments. Applicants must submit a site assessment and verify contractors meet licensing, safety, and legal requirements through an affidavit. The program also requires the department to provide technical assistance and educational resources about solar energy projects.
HB 335, the Child Day-Care Center Protection Act, requires new child day-care centers in Pennsylvania to obtain two certifications before licensure: an indoor contamination assessment (if the building was previously a high-hazard business like a dry cleaner or nail salon) and an environmental quality certification confirming remediation. It directly affects new day-care centers seeking licensure, particularly those operating in older buildings or sites previously used for industrial or high-hazard purposes. The bill establishes a grant program funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund to help offset certification costs and imposes fines up to $50,000 for false statements or failure to comply. Existing licensed centers are exempt from these new certification requirements.
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.
SB 454 amends Pennsylvania’s Solid Waste Management Act to update definitions of "drill cuttings" (specifying they include oil/gas drilling waste disposed at well sites under certain conditions) and "hazardous waste" (explicitly excluding coal refuse and treatment sludges from coal mine drainage). It revises permit application requirements to mandate that operators demonstrate compliance with key environmental laws like the Clean Streams Law and Surface Mining Act. The bill also removes conflicting language from another statute regarding hazardous waste definitions. These changes clarify regulatory requirements for waste management facilities, oil/gas operators, and municipalities handling waste under the Solid Waste Management Act.
HB 850 requires hydraulic fracturing service providers and chemical vendors to include a specific tracer substance in the fluid used for unconventional oil and gas well fracturing. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection must specify tracers that are traceable to the operator and safe for public health and the environment. The Environmental Quality Board will create regulations to implement these requirements. The law applies to all fracturing activities performed on or after its effective date.
