Environment

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 · 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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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 2246: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.

HB 2246 would require large data centers in Pennsylvania to report water usage and undergo environmental reviews before construction. It mandates pre-application notification to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including detailed water use estimates, source assessments, and proof that withdrawals won’t harm other water users or water quality. The bill adds new permit conditions under the Clean Streams Law, requiring data centers to implement water conservation measures like closed-loop systems and water recycling. These provisions apply specifically to "covered data centers" (large facilities with significant water needs) and aim to protect local water resources while enabling data center development.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires data centers to report water use, undergo environmental reviews, and implement conservation measures to protect water quality and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 2249: 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 definitions, for powers and duties of the department and for powers and duties of the Environmental Quality Board.

HB 2249 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify the definition of "biosolid" and establish new requirements for its management. The bill prohibits land application of biosolids if levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exceed state limits, and mandates resampling and treatment before land application if those limits are exceeded. It also creates regulations for the beneficial use of municipal waste, requiring monitoring for up to one year, notification of property changes, and departmental oversight for waste stored beyond that period. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to propose a state fund for hazardous waste site cleanup if federal funding proves inadequate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits biosolid land application exceeding PFOS/PFOA limits and mandates resampling/treatment, strengthening pollution controls under waste management regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1157: 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.

SB 1157 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to require immediate action for hazardous substance spills in residential areas. The bill mandates that responsible parties (such as owners, operators, or transporters) must promptly contain, clean up, and remove discharges threatening public health, drinking water, or residential environments. It imposes strict liability on these parties without requiring proof of fault and authorizes the Department of Environmental Resources to issue cleanup directives. The law aims to ensure faster responses to spills endangering homes, water supplies, and residents, aligning with Pennsylvania's constitutional environmental protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates immediate hazardous spill cleanup in residential areas with strict liability, strengthening environmental protection and public health safeguards under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1158: An Act amending the act of March 1, 1974 (P.L.90, No.24), known as the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973, providing for prohibited pesticides.

SB 1158 prohibits the use of paraquat and its salts (including methyl viologen and paraquat bismethylsulfate) as pesticides in Pennsylvania. It amends the state's pesticide law to make it unlawful to use these chemicals, defined by their chemical identifier (CAS number 4685-14-7). This directly affects farmers, agricultural businesses, and pest control professionals who currently use paraquat for crop management or other purposes. The prohibition takes effect one year after enactment, replacing any conflicting regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits paraquat (a toxic pesticide linked to environmental harm) under Pennsylvania's pesticide law, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection per the topic description.95% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 2119: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in game or wildlife protection, further providing for killing game or wildlife to protect property.

This bill narrows who can legally kill wildlife to protect farm property in Pennsylvania. It restricts the definition of "person" to only: (1) owners/lessees of farms under the state's Right-to-Farm Law, (2) their immediate family living on the farm, (3) household members residing there, or (4) employees regularly working the farm. Previously, broader categories like general land cultivators were included, but this amendment limits the exception strictly to active agricultural operations. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts who can kill wildlife for property protection, limiting unnecessary harm to wildlife populations per environmental conservation focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1131: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania. It creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support projects, requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations for geothermal operations, and defines key terms like "geothermal resource" and "geothermal well." The law directly affects developers seeking to extract geothermal energy (heat from the earth), landowners with geothermal resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which gains new duties to oversee projects. Key provisions include requiring permits for geothermal projects, setting liability rules for well operators, and imposing civil penalties for violations of the regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Geothermal Energy Development Fund, creates regulatory framework for geothermal projects, and mandates DEP regulations - directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support clean energy projects and establishes DEP regulations for environmental oversight during geothermal development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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