Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 4, 2026

HR 66: A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, in consultation with taxonomists, biologists and other interested persons, to conduct a study and issue a report on wild native terrestrial invertebrate management.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study wild native terrestrial invertebrate management - including bees, butterflies, worms, and beetles - and issue a report. The study will evaluate existing state laws (like the Conservation and Natural Resources Act of 1995), compare other states' conservation approaches, and assess the ecological and economic value of these species (noting their $250+ million annual contribution to agriculture through pollination). It does not create new laws but aims to clarify agency responsibilities and identify gaps in conservation efforts. The report will inform future policy decisions affecting state agencies like DCNR, the Department of Agriculture, and wildlife commissions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study on conserving invertebrates (bees, butterflies) vital to ecosystems and $250M+ agricultural pollination, assessing conservation approaches to protect ecological value.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 870: An Act amending the act of October 4, 1978 (P.L.864, No.167), known as the Storm Water Management Act, further providing for watershed storm water plans and contents.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Storm Water Management Act to allow municipal roadmasters to redirect or modify road projects in specific watershed areas to reduce storm water impacts. It directly affects local municipalities and their roadmasters, giving them flexibility in planning road infrastructure within designated watershed zones. The key change adds a new provision (Section 5(d)) requiring watershed storm water plans to include options for road project adjustments, without creating new regulations or funding. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires watershed plans to include road project adjustments reducing storm water impacts, strengthening watershed protection under existing storm water management framework.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill grants roadmasters flexibility to adjust road projects in watersheds for storm water mitigation, enabling smoother infrastructure planning without restricting road development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 872: An Act amending the act of October 4, 1978 (P.L.864, No.167), known as the Storm Water Management Act, further providing for watershed storm water plans and contents.

This bill requires Pennsylvania counties to develop and update storm water management plans for every watershed within their borders. Counties must create these plans within two years of the environmental department issuing guidelines and review and revise them at least every five years. Municipalities without public water or sewer systems are exempt from participating in the plans. The bill specifies deadlines and regular review intervals for existing county plans under the Storm Water Management Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates counties to develop and update watershed storm water plans to prevent pollution, aligning with environmental protection and pollution control indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 969: An Act providing for management of responsible outdoor night lighting; and imposing duties on the Department of General Services.

HB 969, the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act, requires Pennsylvania state buildings and properties to adopt outdoor lighting that minimizes light pollution and glare. It mandates new outdoor lighting must be fully shielded (directing light downward to prevent upward scatter), limit color temperature to warmer tones (reducing blue light that disrupts ecosystems), and incorporate features like motion sensors or dimming controls. The Department of General Services must manage and enforce these standards for all state-owned facilities. The bill sets a model for private businesses and residents to follow in adopting responsible lighting practices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy-efficient lighting features (shielding, motion sensors) in state buildings, reducing electricity consumption and aligning with energy efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces light pollution and blue light disruption to ecosystems through mandatory shielding, warmer color temperatures, and motion sensors in state buildings.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 578: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for maximum contaminant levels.

HB 578 sets a new maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per trillion for specific PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS) in public drinking water systems across Pennsylvania. This directly affects municipal water providers and the residents who rely on tap water, requiring them to meet this stricter standard. The bill establishes this limit unless federal or state agencies set a higher standard, in which case those standards would take precedence. Water systems must comply with this level, and the Department of Environmental Protection must publish any federal/state standards in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSets stricter PFAS limits (10 ppb) in drinking water, directly strengthening pollution control and environmental protection under the Safe Drinking Water Act.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets stricter PFAS limits in drinking water to prevent health risks, directly protecting public health as a healthcare-related measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 642: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for penalties.

HB 642 increases penalties for oil and gas regulation violations in Pennsylvania. It raises fines for general violations from $1,000 to $2,000 per day and for willful violations from $5,000 to $10,000 per day, with potential jail time. The bill also prohibits the department from waiving these fines and specifies that the department, Attorney General, or county prosecutors can pursue penalties. This directly affects oil and gas operators who violate state regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases fines for oil/gas violations, strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations and deterring pollution through higher penalties and no waiver option.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 685: An Act amending the act of January 8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119, No.787), known as the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties.

SB 685 amends Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act to update requirements for certain industrial facilities and increase civil penalties for violations. The bill mandates that "major facilities" develop municipal notification plans to alert their host and adjacent communities within 12 hours of an air pollution event caused by equipment breakdown or accident that poses a significant health risk. These plans must also outline risk mitigation measures for residents and be updated annually. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum daily civil penalty for violations of the act from $25,000 to $37,500 for infractions occurring after the fifth year of enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates notification plans and increases penalties for air pollution violations, strengthening environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 16, 2025

HB 1379: An Act amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests and establishing the Forest Fire Warden Fund.

HB 1379 creates a dedicated "Forest Fire Warden Fund" within the Pennsylvania state treasury to reimburse local forest fire wardens for approved activities. The bill establishes that funds from this new account will cover expenses related to controlled burns, fire investigations, public safety events, training, and mutual aid requests made to emergency management agencies. It directly affects local forest fire wardens and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by providing a clear funding mechanism for their operational costs. This procedural change streamlines reimbursement processes under the existing Conservation and Natural Resources Act without altering forest management policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund for fire warden reimbursement, directly funding essential public safety programs within state budget framework95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest fire management including controlled burns to protect forest ecosystems under Conservation Act, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 748: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for litterbug education.

HB 748 requires all Pennsylvania public and charter schools (including cyber schools) to include litter prevention education in science classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction be integrated into existing science curricula using materials developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It focuses on teaching students about making environmentally sound choices to preserve the state's natural beauty. The law applies to all school entities defined in the Public School Code and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates litter prevention curriculum integration in K-5 science classes, enhancing educational content and environmental literacy per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates litter prevention education in K-5 science classes to teach environmentally sound choices and reduce pollution, directly advancing pollution control and conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2025

HR 53: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study regarding the feasibility and potential benefits of the development of offshore hydropower, solar and wind renewable energy generation systems on Lake Erie.

This resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility of developing offshore wind, solar, and hydropower projects on Pennsylvania's portion of Lake Erie. The study will examine potential job creation (including construction, maintenance, and manufacturing roles), economic impacts, environmental benefits like reduced emissions, and the projected electricity generation capacity. It requires the Commission to consult with energy experts, environmental groups, labor leaders, and surrounding states before submitting a report to relevant legislative committees within 12 months. The resolution does not authorize actual projects but aims to inform future policy decisions about renewable energy development in the region.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill directs study on offshore wind, solar, and hydropower feasibility, focusing on environmental benefits (reduced emissions) and job creation, indicating proactive support for renewable energy development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study of offshore renewable energy feasibility, explicitly examining environmental benefits like reduced emissions and clean energy potential.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Wind

Track