Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 18, 2025

HB 961: An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

HB 961 requires visible markings on dams in Pennsylvania to help fish navigate past them, amending existing fish and dam regulations. It directly affects dam operators and owners who maintain structures impacting fish migration. The key provision mandates clear, standardized markings on dams to improve fish passage through migration devices like bar racks. This change aims to support fish conservation efforts by making dam structures more navigable for aquatic life. The bill focuses on practical infrastructure adjustments rather than new funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates visible dam markings to improve fish passage, directly supporting aquatic conservation and fish migration under environmental protection regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 505: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for energy efficiency and conservation program.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities law regarding energy efficiency and conservation programs for electric distribution companies. It requires the Public Utility Commission to adopt an updated program, mandating these companies to implement plans focused on energy efficiency, conservation, and increasing consumer resilience to extreme weather events. The bill modifies requirements for targeted energy reduction efforts, including those for government entities, non-profits, and low-income households, ensuring proportionate benefits and allowing for alternative compliance mechanisms. It establishes ongoing requirements for these plans, removing previous fixed deadlines, and outlines cost recovery mechanisms for approved measures.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency/conservation programs for utilities, requires updated plans for consumer resilience, aligns with promoting clean energy infrastructure and reducing energy use.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency/conservation programs for utilities, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced energy waste and resilience planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 1915: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for junior hunter projects.

HB 1915 amends Pennsylvania's game laws to further support junior hunter projects managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill directly affects young hunters (typically minors) by expanding access to educational and supervised hunting programs focused on safety and conservation. Key provisions update the statutes to clarify the commission's authority and structure for these initiatives. The bill was referred to the Game & Fisheries committee on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly states conservation as a goal for junior hunter programs, promoting wildlife resource management and responsible hunting practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 347: An Act providing for the leasing of subsurface rights on State forest and park property for oil and natural gas development; establishing a restricted account within the Oil and Gas Lease Fund; making an appropriation; and abrogating an executive order and other orders and administrative policies.

HB 347 allows oil and gas companies to lease subsurface rights beneath Pennsylvania's state forests and parks for drilling, provided the drilling originates outside these areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) must review applications, with disapproval possible for environmental violations or projects causing significant harm, and companies can appeal denials to court. All lease revenue goes into the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, with upfront payments specifically directed to a restricted account funding stream maintenance and clearing projects. The bill also cancels prior executive orders and policies restricting such leasing on state lands.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly authorizes oil/gas drilling on state lands, directs lease revenue to oil/gas fund, and enables fossil fuel development without restrictions on the industry.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnables oil/gas drilling in state forests/parks, prioritizing industry over conservation despite limited environmental review requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 159: An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in protection of property and waters, further providing for restrictions on transport, sale, importation or release of nonnative injurious fish; and, in game or wildlife protection, further providing for unlawful importation of game or wildlife.

HB 159 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen penalties for illegally transporting, selling, importing, or releasing nonnative fish and wildlife. It directly affects individuals, businesses, or organizations handling nonnative species, including pet trade sellers, anglers, and conservation groups. The bill increases misdemeanor penalties: violations involving non-native fish become third-degree misdemeanors for negligence or first-degree for intentional acts, while violations with endangered/threatened species escalate to second-degree (negligent/intentional) misdemeanors. It clarifies that each animal, egg, or fish involved in a violation counts as a separate offense, intensifying consequences for repeated or large-scale violations. The changes aim to better protect Pennsylvania's ecosystems and native species from invasive threats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens penalties for illegal introduction of nonnative species, directly protecting native ecosystems and waters from invasive species harm per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 14, 2025

HB 52: An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, providing for building permits and endangered and threatened species; and making an appropriation.

HB 52 requires developers seeking building permits in Pennsylvania to submit information about potential impacts on endangered or threatened species to three state agencies: the Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. These agencies must review the information within 90 days to determine if construction would harm protected species, providing written confirmation to both the developer and the municipality. If agencies fail to complete the review within 90 days, it is presumed no harm exists, allowing the municipality to issue the permit. The bill also includes funding to support this process. This directly affects developers, municipalities, and state agencies involved in building permit approvals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates agency review of developer impacts on endangered species, requiring written confirmation before permits, strengthening protections for protected species under the Construction Code Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 235: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in municipal authorities, further providing for purposes and powers.

HB 235 amends Pennsylvania law to allow municipal stormwater authorities to establish rates based on property characteristics, such as the installation and maintenance of approved stormwater management practices. The bill specifically permits authorities to set rates considering features like land use, while requiring practices to be approved and inspected by the authority. It also includes an exception for agricultural operations, allowing rates to be based on USDA or state-approved conservation practices. This change gives local governments more flexibility in funding stormwater management programs through targeted rate structures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires municipal stormwater authorities to use approved management practices with inspections, promoting pollution control and conservation through rate structures tied to land use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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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

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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

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 758: An Act providing for energy efficiency and conservation plans with inclusion of mechanical insulation.

SB 758, the "Mechanical Insulation Act," prevents Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission from rejecting energy efficiency plans submitted by electric distribution companies solely because they include mechanical insulation. The bill requires that such insulation be proven cost-effective using a specific "total resource cost test" approved by the Commission. This directly affects electric companies developing energy conservation plans and the Commission's review process. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates inclusion of mechanical insulation in energy efficiency plans via cost-effectiveness test, advancing conservation efforts per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates inclusion of mechanical insulation in energy efficiency plans, promoting conservation and reducing energy waste, directly supporting environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Conservation

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