Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2178: An Act amending the act of October 18, 1988 (P.L.756, No.108), known as the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, providing for spill response and residential environmental protection; and, in fund, further providing for Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

This bill strengthens Pennsylvania's existing hazardous waste laws by creating a new chapter focused on immediate spill response and protecting residential areas. It defines hazardous substances to include petroleum products and other dangerous materials, then imposes strict liability on responsible parties to immediately contain and clean up any discharge that threatens public health or the environment. The Department of Environmental Protection gains expanded authority to issue directives, enter private property, and recover cleanup costs from those who cause spills, ensuring rapid action in residential communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens hazardous waste laws, expands spill response, and imposes strict liability to protect public health and the environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SR 273: A Resolution designating the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Conservation District Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate resolution designates the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Conservation District Week" throughout Pennsylvania to raise awareness about local conservation efforts. The measure directly affects Pennsylvania's conservation districts, which are volunteer-led local government units responsible for managing natural resources like soil and water on private and public lands. By officially naming this specific week, the bill aims to highlight the work these districts perform in partnering with landowners, businesses, and other agencies to protect the environment. This action is a commemorative gesture that does not alter existing laws or create new funding, but rather serves to recognize the role of conservation districts in the state.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates a week to raise awareness for conservation districts, promoting environmental stewardship without direct regulatory impact.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2316: An Act designating the Scarlet Tanager as the official migratory bird of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's official migratory bird, recognizing the species' importance to the state's natural heritage and ecosystems. The legislation formally acknowledges that Pennsylvania supports 17% of the global Scarlet Tanager population during breeding season and provides critical habitat in mature oak forests across the Commonwealth. By establishing this official designation, the bill aims to promote awareness of the bird's habitat needs and underscore the state's commitment to conservation and forest management. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes awareness of bird habitat needs and recognizes importance of mature oak forests, indirectly supporting conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1236: An Act amending the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, further providing for potential pollution.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow construction sites disturbing between one and five acres to request a waiver from certain stormwater discharge permit requirements. Under the new provision, if a construction site meets specific federal criteria for a waiver, the state environmental department must grant it. The change applies to construction projects that would otherwise need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for stormwater runoff. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill waives stormwater discharge permit requirements for construction sites, reducing pollution control measures and weakening environmental protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2296: An Act amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for definitions; and providing for siting of wetland replacement.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by adding a formal definition for "wetland" and establishing specific rules for where wetland replacement projects must be located. The legislation directly affects developers, environmental regulators, and landowners involved in projects that impact wetlands, requiring them to follow a prioritized siting hierarchy. Under the new provisions, replacement wetlands must be placed immediately adjacent to the affected area whenever possible, with subsequent options including locations along the same watercourse, within the same watershed, or near higher-order streams if closer sites are unavailable. The bill also mandates that regulatory agencies reject replacement proposals in different watersheds unless all suitable local options have been exhausted, and requires documentation explaining why alternative sites were not feasible.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens wetland protection by establishing formal definitions and prioritized siting rules for wetland replacement, directly advancing environmental conservation and natural resource protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 2301: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits, further providing for definitions and providing for tax credits for critical minerals extraction.

This Pennsylvania bill expands the PA EDGE tax credit program to include companies extracting critical minerals from produced water, which is wastewater from oil and gas wells. The legislation defines "critical minerals" as materials essential for national security and energy systems, and sets a $1 million minimum investment requirement for facilities to qualify for tax credits. To receive the credit, companies must use Pennsylvania-produced water for extraction, hire local workers, and comply with state procurement laws. The Department of Revenue will review applications and approve tax credits for eligible projects that meet all specified criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit program for critical minerals extraction, promoting economic development and fiscal incentives for local businesses while utilizing produced water resources.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes critical minerals extraction from produced water, supporting energy infrastructure and national security needs through tax incentives.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill incentivizes extraction of critical minerals from produced water, which could increase industrial activity and potential environmental impacts from wastewater use and extraction processes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2272: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.

This bill directs Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to remove a specific third-class county with a population between 215,000 and 216,000 from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection program within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The department must then submit a revised State implementation plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by January 1, 2027, demonstrating that the county can maintain federal air quality standards without the inspection program. The plan must comply with federal law and ensure it does not interfere with air quality goals or federal funding, with formal notifications sent to state legislative committee chairs upon EPA approval.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes funding for vehicle emission inspection program, cutting public service funding and reducing government oversight of environmental programs.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes enhanced vehicle emission inspection program, weakening air quality protections and allowing increased pollution in the affected county.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill removes a county from enhanced vehicle emission inspection program, weakening environmental and transportation safety standards85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 1213: An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to fish and fishing, further providing for rules and regulations.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's fish and fishing laws to give the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authority to create rules against specific fishing methods like snatching, foul hooking, and snagging. It directly affects anglers and fishing guides who use these techniques by establishing that violations of any new regulations would be classified as first-degree summary offenses. The legislation does not ban these methods outright but instead empowers state officials to regulate them through future rulemaking. The bill takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill empowers state to regulate fishing methods that could harm fish populations, supporting conservation and environmental protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2236: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for alerting residential customers to potential water leaks.

HB 2236 requires Pennsylvania public utilities to notify residential customers when their water usage significantly exceeds typical levels (by 200% or $200 above average over 12 months), as it may indicate a property leak. Notifications must include a leak warning, an estimate of future bills if usage continues, and tips for preventing/identifying leaks. Utilities may offer a free, non-intrusive site visit (with customer consent) to inspect for leaks but cannot disturb property or be held liable for missed leaks. The bill defines "atypical water consumption" and prohibits utilities from using this data for purposes beyond leak alerts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires leak notifications to conserve water, reducing waste of natural resources and preventing unnecessary consumption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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