Environment (Air Quality)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2537: 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 penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill strengthens penalties for violating the state's Air Pollution Control Act, specifically targeting emissions of bad smells or odors. It mandates that anyone who willfully or negligently breaks air pollution rules faces a fine of at least $1,000 or up to two years in prison for each offense. For violations involving malodors, the law sets escalating fines of $150,000, $200,000, and $250,000 for the first, second, and third offenses respectively. Additionally, if a business fails to fix a malodor problem after 30 days, it must stop operations until the issue is resolved and approved by the Department of Environmental Resources. These changes apply to all individuals and entities operating within Pennsylvania and take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens penalties for air pollution violations, specifically targeting emissions of odors, thereby advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2026

HB 2515: An Act providing for commercial data center transparency regarding energy use, water use and noise pollution; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation and the Office of Attorney General; and imposing civil penalties.

This bill, known as the Commercial Data Center Transparency Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania to publicly disclose their energy, water, and noise impacts. It specifically targets facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more, mandating that applicants reveal details in their permit applications regarding water usage, wastewater, air quality, and transportation needs. The law also obligates these facilities to report specific water consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection if they use more than 100,000 gallons per day or consume 20,000 gallons daily. To ensure compliance, the bill imposes civil penalties on entities that knowingly fail to make required disclosures or submit false information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates transparency for data center energy and water use, promoting efficiency and accountability in energy consumption.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates transparency for data centers on energy, water, and noise, strengthening environmental oversight and resource conservation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates transparency for data centers regarding energy and water use, promoting sustainability and environmental accountability for critical tech infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1298: 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 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle inspection rules by exempting the newest model year vehicles from emission testing for five years and removing the gas cap test requirement for cars manufactured without one. While these newer cars are waived from emission checks, they must still undergo visual inspections to ensure emissions control parts have not been tampered with. Additionally, the legislation directs the state to stop spending money on the enhanced emission inspection program in several specific counties and to submit a revised plan to the federal government proving those areas can still meet air quality standards without it.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces emission testing frequency and cuts funding for the inspection program, weakening environmental protections.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill directs state to stop spending money on the enhanced emission inspection program, effectively cutting funding for a transportation safety initiative.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Vehicle Registration

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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 · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2208: 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.

HB 2208 removes counties with populations between 168,000 and 169,000 (based on the latest census) from Pennsylvania’s enhanced vehicle emission inspection program. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to submit a revised state plan to the EPA by January 1, 2026, proving these counties can meet air quality standards without the inspection program. The plan must comply with federal requirements and avoid negatively impacting air quality goals or funding. The department must also notify specific legislative committees about the EPA submission.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory vehicle emission inspections, weakening air quality regulations without guaranteed replacement measures.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates counties from emission inspection program, weakening vehicle regulation requirements under Title 75 (Vehicles)90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 6, 2025

HR 280: A Resolution directing the Department of Corrections to conduct an environmental study of each State correctional institution to determine if individuals housed in each State correctional institution are being exposed to harmful, hazardous or unsanitary conditions and to ensure that individuals housed in each State correctional institution are receiving clean air and pure water.

HR 280 is a resolution requiring Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to conduct environmental studies at all state correctional facilities. The studies must identify health hazards like poor air quality, mold, pests, or unsafe water, and assess their impact on both incarcerated individuals and staff. The resolution mandates the Department to collaborate with environmental and health agencies, estimate repair costs, and provide improvement recommendations. The Department must submit a final report to legislative leaders within 24 months. This resolution directly affects all individuals housed in Pennsylvania's state correctional institutions by addressing environmental conditions they currently face.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates environmental studies in prisons to address health hazards (air, water, sanitation), improving correctional facility conditions as part of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental studies to address air/water quality hazards in prisons, aligning with pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Air Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 27: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for surgical smoke evacuation systems.

HB 27 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require hospitals and surgical clinics to install systems that remove smoke generated during certain medical procedures. This directly affects healthcare facilities performing surgeries where smoke is produced, such as those using lasers or electrosurgery. The bill mandates these evacuation systems as part of facility licensing standards under the existing 1979 law. The change focuses on improving air quality and safety for both patients and medical staff during operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates surgical smoke evacuation systems in healthcare facilities to improve air quality, directly reducing a specific indoor pollutant (surgical smoke) under pollution control, aligning with environmental topic's pollution control focus.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems to improve air quality and safety for patients/staff, directly enhancing healthcare facility safety standards under existing law.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems in healthcare facilities, directly improving workplace safety for medical staff per bill summary's focus on safety for 'medical...' personnel.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 271: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study regarding the indoor air quality for seniors and children in this Commonwealth.

HR 271 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and study indoor air quality concerns affecting seniors and children in the Commonwealth. It requires the commission to conduct a formal review of current air quality standards and potential health impacts in these vulnerable groups' living environments. The key mechanism involves creating a committee to gather data, analyze risks, and recommend improvements to indoor air quality policies. This resolution does not create new laws but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study on indoor air quality for vulnerable groups, aiming to improve policies and reduce indoor pollutants, aligning with pollution control under environmental protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1167: An Act prohibiting solar radiation modification or sunlight reflection methods, cloud seeding and polluting atmospheric interventions within this Commonwealth; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and sheriffs; and imposing penalties.

HB 1167, titled the Clean Air Preservation Act, bans cloud seeding, solar radiation modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions within Pennsylvania. It directly affects any person or organization (including government agencies, corporations, or individuals) conducting such activities. The law requires Pennsylvania State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for suspected violations, treating these orders as court-enforceable. Violators face felony charges with penalties of at least $500,000 fines or two years in prison per violation, plus potential additional penalties under Pennsylvania’s existing Air Pollution Control Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans atmospheric pollution methods (cloud seeding, solar radiation modification) to protect air quality, directly advancing environmental protection per Clean Air Preservation Act title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 761: 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.

HB 761 directs Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove specific counties from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection program within 60 days. These counties are defined by exact population ranges (e.g., third-class counties with 215,000-216,000 residents). The DEP must demonstrate these counties can maintain air quality standards without the inspection program and submit revised plans to the EPA by January 1, 2026. The bill affects only the listed counties and requires coordination with federal air quality requirements.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory vehicle emission inspections in specified counties, weakening air quality regulations without requiring equivalent safeguards.92% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates vehicle emission inspection program in specified counties, reducing regulatory requirements and defunding a transportation-related program per bill's prohibition on expenditures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Vehicle Registration

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