Legislation
This section features pending state or federal legislation likely to affect the local environment. Boldface indicates enactment in current legislative session. NOTE: Both Congress and the Pennsylvania Legislature have started new sessions as of Jan. 3, 2025. Click on bill numbers to get updates.
Federal
- H.R. 26 Bans any moratorium on fracking.
- RJ Res. 26 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3”.
- H. Res. 68 Expressing strong disapproval of the President’s announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. (H.Res. 68)
- H.R. Res. 30 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020”.
- S. Res. 36 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Pennsylvania
- SB 118 Codifies and expands the powers of the Office of Environmental Justice
- SB 186 Kills RGGI CO2 Trading Program regulation Act
- SB 187 Establishes an independent energy office that would provide impartial data to guide the state in making energy policy decisions
- HB 109 Provides for greater protections for residents when issuing permits in environmental justice areas. Out of committee 12-10 vote.
- HB 341 Getting lead out of drinking water in schools
- HB 441 Protects pollinating insects
- HB 501/ SB 501 requires energy companies supplying electricity in Pennsylvania to get at least 35% of the energy that they produce from clean, renewable sources like wind and solar by 2035.
- HB 502 Strips counties and municipalities of any say over state-approved energy projects
- HB 503/SB 503 makes global warming polluters pay for their climate pollution, and uses the money for consumer rebates and investments in clean energy projects.
- HB 580 Lowers maximum lead level in playgrounds tomatch federal limit.
- HB 642 Doubles fines on polluters
- HB 665 Keeping radium out of drinking water
- HB 680 Empowers state AG to prosecute violations of environmental crimes
- HB 783 Prohibits corporations from deceptively “greenwashing” their business practices
- HB 789 – Adds EV charging infrastructure to C-PACE (clean energy) program.
- HB 969 Restricts night light pollution.
- HB 994 Prohibits trafficking in wildlife
- HB 1031 Substantially raises the maximum fines for littering. In House Judiciary Comm.
- HB 1089 Bans use of high-HAP (coal tar) sealants. Out of committee 13-10 vote
- HB 1116 Provides for testing of biosolids for PFAs to prevent uptake in agricultural products
- HB 1164 Bans GHGI regulations. Republican effort to prevent PA from participating in carbon cap and trade with 11 other states.
- HB 1167 Bans cloud seeding and other weather modification
- HB 1261 Protects firefighters and first responders from “forever chemicals.” passed House 202-0. Now in Senate committee.
- HB 1282 Requires notification of communitities of flood plain changes
- HB 1415 Increases testing for PFAs in water systems