PFSC Tracked Conservation Bills

(PN 42) Amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act providing for building permits and endangered and threatened species; and making an appropriation of $20,000,000 from the General Fund to the entities for the purpose of recruiting and training the necessary staff to administer this chapter. Requires that a municipality may not issue a building permit to an applicant unless the applicant, upon satisfying all other building permit conditions required by law, submits information for a determination of any negative effect on endangered or threatened species as a result of proposed construction which will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the “entities”, who may charge fees as necessary, to be reviewed within 90 days in order to determine whether there exists any negative effect on endangered or threatened species as a result of the proposed construction. Provides that if a negative effect is found on an endangered or threatened species, the applicant will be notified with written confirmation within 10 days and the municipality in which the proposed construction is to be located may not issue a building permit for the proposed construction unless the applicant mitigates or eliminates the negative effect on endangered or threatened species in which case the applicant may appeal the decision within 30 days or the applicant may resubmit their information for a building permit. Section 609 and section 2 of the act shall be effective immediately. The remainder of this act shall be effective in 180 days.

(PN 71) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, adding a section to provide for money collected from oil or gas leases under publicly owned streambeds. Specifies that the department shall estimate the amount of money collected by the department beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and ending on the effective date, from an oil or gas lease under a publicly owned streambed in each county where such a streambed is located, outlining how money shall be distributed. Provides that the department shall distribute the money collected by the department after the effective date from an oil or gas lease under a publicly owned streambed to the county where the streambed is located. Asserts that a county that is the recipient of money shall use the money solely for maintaining creeks and streams within the county at the county’s discretion. Effective immediately.

(PN 282) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits. Adds that the permit shall allow permittees to maintain, inspect and monitor water courses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments. Outlines the application process and allows for permit amendments through additions by a permittee. Adds that the permit must provide for the maintenance, inspection and monitoring of watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments consistent with prior plans, specifications, reports and designs. Establishes reporting requirements for the permittee. Adds that permits are in effect for no less than 10 years and outlines the renewal process for an additional 10 years. Defines the term “municipality.” Effective in 60 days.

(PN 3652) The Native Habitats at Commonwealth Facilities Act provides for duties of commonwealth agencies regarding native plants and for duties of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) regarding pollinator habitats and native plants. Redefines “commonwealth agency.” Defines “commonwealth project,” “department” and “pollinator meadow.” Strikes the definitions of “independent agency,” “judicial agency,” “legislative agency,” “state affiliated entity” and “state related institution.” Directs commonwealth agencies to prioritize the use of native plants untreated with systemic insecticides over non-native plants in development. Requires commonwealth agencies to consider the benefits of using native plants untreated with systemic insecticides. Directs commonwealth agencies to update standards to reflect prioritizing native plants. Requires DCNR to maintain existing pollinator meadows or pollinator gardens. Directs DCNR to distribute guidance to commonwealth agencies on the use and maintenance of native plants. Directs DCNR to draft a native pollinator conservation plan and revise the plan every five years. Section 4 is effective in 18 months. The remainder of this act is effective immediately. (Prior PN: 401) (PN 401) The Native Habitats at Commonwealth Facilities Act provides for duties of commonwealth agencies regarding native plants and for duties of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding pollinator habitats and native plants. Provides definitions. Directs commonwealth agencies to prioritize the use of native plants untreated with systemic insecticides over non-native plants in development. Requires commonwealth agencies to consider the benefits of using native plants untreated with systemic insecticides. Directs commonwealth agencies to update standards to reflect prioritizing native plants. Requires the department to maintain existing pollinator meadows or pollinator gardens. Directs the department to distribute guidance to commonwealth agencies on the use and maintenance of native plants. Directs the department to draft a native pollinator conservation plan and revise the plan every five years. Section 4 is effective in 18 months. The remainder of this act is effective immediately.

(PN 410) Amends the Wild Resource Conservation Act, further providing for legislative finding and declaration of policy and for definitions; and adding a section to provide for wild native terrestrial invertebrate management. Adds the phrase “wild native terrestrial invertebrates” throughout the act. Defines “wild native terrestrial invertebrate.” Redefines “wild resource” to include native terrestrial invertebrates. Establishes duties of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and cooperation with taxonomists, biologists, academia, nonprofit organizations and other interested persons. Requires DCNR to create a classification procedure, providing categories. Effective in 60 days. 

(PN 687) The Riparian Buffer Protection Act provides for protection of existing riparian buffers, for restoration of impaired riparian buffers, for exemptions, for municipal authority, for powers and duties of Department of Environmental Protection, for property inspections, for delegation to a municipality, for municipal action appeals, for penalties, civil action and liability for costs and for effect on other commonwealth laws or regulations and municipal ordinances. Provides several definitions. Prohibits land development within a riparian buffer area. Provides width requirements and distances. Authorizes impaired riparian buffer restoration. Provides exemptions for land development activity. Permits municipal authority to enact a local land use ordinance to protect, preserve and restore riparian buffers. Mandates a riparian buffer ordinance adopted by a municipality shall conform to this act. Provides for existing ordinances and variances. Permits inspections by municipalities. Establishes enforcement. Creates powers and duties of the department. Authorizes the department to make property inspections and violation notices. Permits the department to delegate authority to a municipality. Establishes penalties. Explains that if a provision of this act or regulation or ordinance authorized by this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected by the invalidity or unconstitutionality. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 694) Amends the Clean Streams Law, in procedure and enforcement, further providing for summary proceedings. Permits all summary proceedings to be commenced by the Office of the Attorney General under the Commonwealth Attorneys Act. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 787) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for permit issuance and conditions and for enforcement orders. Prohibits the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission from having authority or jurisdiction related to stream maintenance or clearing activities. Provides that no approval or authorization from the commission is required for any stream maintenance or clearing activities. Prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection from delegating its authority related to stream maintenance or clearing activities to the commission. Provides that the commission may enforce stream maintenance or clearing activities only when there is a potential violation under 30 Pa.C.S. (relating to fish) due to a person not having a valid permit or conducting an activity that was not authorized by the permit. Prohibits the commission from finding that a stream maintenance or clearing activity violates 30 Pa.C.S. if the stream maintenance or clearing activity is general maintenance of a bridge or culvert. Prohibits the commission from enforcing a penalty for a violation under 30 Pa.C.S. until the commission contacts the department and the relevant county conservation district. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 907) Amends the Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, providing for notice of discharge endangering public health or environment. Establishes notification requirements of Discharge Endangering Public Health or Environment. Requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to publish for public comment proposed regulations establishing reportable quantities or other readily ascertainable standards by which a person may determine whether a spill, discharge or release is likely to render the receiving water harmful no later than 180 days after the effective date. Adds that no later than 365 days after the effective date, the EQB must promulgate final regulations establishing reportable quantities or other readily ascertainable standards by which a person may determine whether a spill, discharge or release is likely to render the receiving water harmful. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 909) The Erosion and Sediment Control Permit Act provides for an erosion and sediment control permit, for compliance, for annual report and for duties of the Department of Environmental Protection. Adds definitions. Requires any person proposing an earth disturbance activity to obtain an erosion and sediment control permit from the department prior to their activity, unless the project is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements. Outlines the issuance of permit process and requirements, including approval and denial criteria and notification requirements. Establishes annual reporting requirements. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 962) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in renaming Department of Environmental Resources and defining rulemaking authority of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), repealing provisions relating to DEP and providing for Department of Environmental Services; and making editorial changes. Renames DEP to the Department of Environmental Services and revises DEP references to reflect the renaming throughout the act and in all other statutes or regulations. Provides that the Department of Environmental Services shall not be affected by the use of the designation of the department as the Department of Environmental Services when providing an efficient and cost-minimizing transition, licenses, contracts, deeds and any other official actions of DEP. Permits the Department of Environmental Services to continue to use the name DEP on badges, licenses, contracts, deeds, stationery and any other official documents until existing supplies are exhausted. Allows the Department of Environmental Services to substitute titles on its documents and materials on a schedule as it deems appropriate. Provides for signage and computer systems. Effective in 30 days.

(PN 2619) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams. Directs the department to compile and maintain a current list of existing dams on the waters of this commonwealth that are run-of-the-river dams and must provide the commission with identifying information about the permittee or owner, location, size and specifications of the run-of-the-river dams annually, unless otherwise requested by the commission. Permits the permittee or owner of a run-of-the-river dam who that the dam meets the definition of "run-of-the-river dam” to appeal the action to the Environmental Hearing Board under section 4 of the act of July 13, 1988 (P.L.530, No.94), known as the Environmental Hearing Board Act, and 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to practice and procedure) within 30 days of receiving the determination. Asserts that the permittee or owner of the filing the notice will have three months to comply if the decision of the board upholds the department’s determination. Mandates that the department’s list and a map, developed by the department, that shows the locations of all run-of-the-river dams, be made public information on both the department’s and the commission’s websites. Requires permittees or owners to repair or replace signs or buoys, if necessary, within 15 days of learning that said signs or buoys installed under section 3510(c) have been removed or defaced. Adds penalties. Adds definitions. Effective in 60 days. (Prior PN: 1038) (PN 1038) Amends Title 30 (Fish), in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams. Directs the department to compile and a list of existing dams on the waters of this commonwealth that are run-of-the-river dams. Permits the permittee or owner of a run-of-the-river dam who that the dam meets the definition of "run-of-the-river dam” to appeal the action to the Environmental Hearing Board under section 4 of the act of July 13, 1988 (P.L.530, No.94), known as the Environmental Hearing Board Act, and 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to practice and procedure) within 30 days of receiving the determination. Mandates that the department’s list and a map, developed by the department, that shows the locations of all run-of-the-river dams be public information. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 1150) Amends the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for purchase of agricultural conservation easements, for Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund and for Land Trust Reimbursement Program. Permits eligible nonprofit to purchase agricultural conservation easement if the eligible nonprofit entity does not seek reimbursement for the purchase of the agricultural conservation easement under section 14.6(b). Requires the state board to make annual allocations from the fund by March 1 of each year. Lists amounts to be allocated. Stipulates money allocated under this subsection which has not been expended by December 31 of the year in which the money was allocated shall lapse back to the fund. Lists eligible transaction expenses. Includes payments by a land trust to acquire an agricultural conservation easement as an eligible purchase expense. Provides limitations. Requires transfer to the county if a land trust ceases to exist, an agricultural conservation easement purchased by the land trust which was reimbursed for purchase costs under this section. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 1336) Amends the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties. Directs the department to require all major facilities to develop and maintain a municipal notification plan designed to give notice to the municipality where the major facility is situated and the municipalities directly adjacent to the major facility in the event of an industrial equipment breakdown or accident causing air pollution that creates a significant health risk to the municipality where the major facility is situated and the municipalities directly adjacent to the major facility. Provides for a $37,500 fine per day per violation after the fifth year. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 1356) Amends the Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, further providing for potential pollution. Adds that a construction site that results in land disturbance of more than one acre and less than five acres may apply to waive the otherwise applicable requirements for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit in accordance with 40 CFR 122.26(b)(15)(i) (relating to storm water discharges (applicable to State NPDES programs, see § 123.25)). Effective in 60 days.

(PN 1431) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), in plants and plant products, providing Chapter 16 for plant and pollinator protection; conferring powers and duties on the Department of Agriculture (PDA) and Secretary of Agriculture; establishing the Plant and Pollinator Protection Committee and the Plant and Pollinator Protection Account; repealing provisions relating to bees; imposing penalties; and repealing the Plant Pest Act. Provides several definitions. Establishes the right of entry for a licensed person and to private property. Provides refusal of entry and the applicability thereof. Permits search warrants. Provides for inspection, sampling, testing and certifications. Permits refusal to inspect by the department. Establishes departmental regulations, orders and pest tolerances. Authorizes the department to conduct surveys to determine the existence of plants and pollinator pests. Explains the procedures upon finding plant or pollinator pests. Provides for treatment orders and measures. Permits the department to issue stop orders, treatment orders, or quarantine orders to pursue measures to stop the spread of invasive species or plant contaminants. Details stop orders and quarantines. Provides for location licensing and remote locations. Requires application for licensure and departmental actions. Provides a license period. Allows grandfathering of licenses. Permits labeling by the department. Requires recordkeeping. Prohibits individuals from operating without a license. Imposes penalties established by the department on individuals who are in violation. Requires duty to report. Provides Right-to-Know Law exemption. Permits the revocation, denial or suspension of a license by the department, and lists reasons for such actions. Provides for reciprocal agreements. Details the transportation of plants for planting. Establishes rules for international importation of managed pollinators and interstate transportation of managed pollinators into the commonwealth. Provides for notice of arrival from outside commonwealth honey bees for distribution. Permits the importation and intrastate movement of pests. Establishes departmental enforcement. Outlines violations. Asserts that a person who willfully or intentionally interferes with an employee, inspector or agent of the department in the performance of duties or activities authorized under this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,500 or to imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Establishes criminal and civil penalties. Provides for injunctive relief. Permits the department to cooperate with other entities and to establish voluntary certification and systems approach programs. Provides for failure to comply. Authorizes the department to establish marketing programs. Explains the purpose and applicability of the Plant and Pollinator Protection Committee. Provides committee membership. Applies fees for the plant merchant and pollinator operation activity. Permits the department to impose fees for voluntary certification programs. Declares the Plant and Pollinator Protection Account is established as a restricted account in the General Fund and money within the Plant Pest Management Account shall be transferred to the Plant and Pollinator Protection Account within 60 days of the effective date of this subsection, at which time the Plant Pest Management Account shall be dissolved. Provides for the disposition of money and fund supplements. Asserts that, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, no ordinance or regulation of any political subdivision or home rule municipality may prohibit or in any way attempt to regulate any matter relating to plant merchants or pollinator operations, if any of these ordinances, laws or regulations are in conflict with this chapter. Provides for local restrictions on beekeeping. Repeals Chapter 21 (Bees) of Title 3. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 2042) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for fees and charges. Directs the department to provide a discount of 15% on prices for picnic pavilions and groves, overnight camping sites, cabins, cottages, lodge rooms and all other roofed overnight facilities operated by state parks and state forests to all an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including reserve component or national guard and a former of member whose last discharge or release was under conditions under than dishonorable. Removes immediate family members of an eligible individual from persons receiving the discount.  Effective in 60 days. (Prior PN: 1531) (PN 1531) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for fees and charges. Directs the department to provide a discount of 15% on all fees and charges for activities, admissions, uses or privileges, including charges for concessions, at or related to state parks for active military, veterans and family members. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 1579) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests. Directs the department to appoint the chief forest fire warden to serve as a deputy secretary in the department. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 2706) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests and establishing the Forest Fire Warden Fund. Permits the department to reimburse for expenses incurred from the Forest Fire Warden Fund. Provides approved activities to be carried out by local forest fire wardens, adding fire investigations, suppression, patrol and look out duties and responding to mutual aid requests made by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) or the governor for an identified emergency. Directs the chief forest fire warden to establish a form and manner for local forest fire wardens to request reimbursement from the department for approved activities. Establishes the Forest Fire Warden Fund as a separate fund in the State Treasury, adding that money is appropriated to the department on a continuing basis and is used for reimbursements and other expenses deemed necessary. Effective in 60 days. (Prior PN: 1580) (PN 1580) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests. Permits the department to reimburse approved and submitted activities. Provides approved activities to be carried out by local forest fire wardens. Directs the chief forest fire warden to establish a form and manner for local forest fire wardens to request reimbursement from the department for approved activities. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 2138) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in registration of vehicles, further providing for wild resource conservation plate. Establishes an application and a fee of $35, in addition to an annual registration fee for the department to issue the wild resource conservation plate under this subsection or the registration plate under subsection (b) for a passenger vehicle, motor home, trailer or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. Requires the Wild Resource Conservation Fund to receive $15 of each additional fee for a plate issued. Provides for a new design that depicts a saw-whet owl perched upon a pine tree branch over a yellow-white background with the phrase “Conserve Wild Resources” at the top of the plate and “Pennsylvania” overlaying a keystone at the bottom of the plate. Provides for using previous valid registration plates issued by the department that was discontinued as long as the design is not in the family of plate and the registration plate displays a saw-whet owl perched upon a pine tree branch with a yellow and white background and the words “Conserve Wild Resources” on the top and “Pennsylvania” on the bottom overtop of a keystone at the bottom of the plate. Requires the registration plate to meet the guidelines of section 1332 and have the alphanumeric pattern on the registration plate available. Effective in four months.

(PN 2345) Amends the Clean Streams Law, in general provisions and public policy, providing for general permit modernization. Asserts that the department will establish a centralized online application system for general permits within one year of the effective date. Provides that the system shall include a unified interface to electronically submit all general permit applications and be functional for geographic information system mapping, permit tracking and mobile accessibility. Requires the department to retain a paper-based application. Provides that the department should develop and make publicly available standardized drawings, processes, procedures and instructions for a general permit. Establishes a custom application for independent review by the department for a proposed project that does not conform to standardized drawings and instructions. Provides for a permit-specific checklist for each general permit and an automated system to notify the applicant for a general permit under relevant regulatory agencies and county conservation districts, within one year of the effective date. Provides that an applicant can begin activities authorized by a general permit after receiving notice to proceed. Establishes guidelines for the implementation of uniform standards for the enforcement and inspection of activities under general permit issuance, within one year of the effective date. Requires a report to be submitted to the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee and Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee beginning two years after the effective date and annually thereafter. Effective immediately.

(PN 2714) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), in consultation with taxonomists, biologists and other interested persons, to conduct a study and issue a report on wild native terrestrial invertebrate management. Updates and provides for the scope of the study. Requires LBFC to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than 180 days after the adoption of this resolution. (Prior PN: 544) (PN 544) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), in consultation with taxonomists, biologists and other interested persons, to conduct a study and issue a report on wild native terrestrial invertebrate management. Provides the LBFC report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than 180 days after the adoption of this resolution.

(PN 1263) Resolution recognizing the month of April 2025 as "Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

(PN 1377) Resolution designating the week of June 8 through 14, 2025, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

(PN 1565) Resolution designating the week of June 16 through 22, 2025, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania.

(PN 62) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, defining “groin structure” and establishing that the department may charge a license fee not to exceed $250 for a person to construct, repair, replace, operate, maintain or remove a groin structure at the licensed premises. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 69) Amends the Administrative Code, in powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources (DEP), its officers and departmental and advisory boards and commissions, to provide for and establish the Office of Environmental Justice to assist in ensuring that environmental justice is effectuated in this commonwealth by requiring each commonwealth agency to make achieving environmental justice part of the agency's mission by identifying, addressing and mitigating disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the programs, policies and activities of the agency on communities of color and low-income communities in this commonwealth of which the secretary will appoint the director. Gives the office will the duty of making recommendations to the governor’s cabinet relating to environmental justice considerations and improving public health and environment, coordinate with public agencies and assist in examining new regulations involving state action or the appropriation of money related to the impact of those actions, to provide to communities of color and low-income communities greater access to public information and opportunities for participation in decision making affecting human health and the environment, to receive comments, concerns and recommendations from individuals throughout the commonwealth, to develop resources and strategies and share relevant information with the public, to examine existing data and studies relating to environmental justice and to develop and update, no less than every five years, a statewide environmental justice strategy that identifies and addresses disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of the programs, policies, spending and other activities of the commonwealth with respect to communities of color and low-income communities. Provides for the office to ensure that meaningful opportunities exist for the public to submit comments and recommendations relating to the environmental justice strategy under paragraph (8), to hold public meetings or otherwise solicit public participation from communities of color and low-income communities for the purpose of fact-finding, policy development, receiving public comments and conducting inquiries concerning environmental justice and to prepare a public review and publish a summary of the comments and recommendation. Requires the secretary to convene a task force, to be known as the Environmental Justice Task Force, which may not have more than 15 members, to plan strategy and develop guidelines for operation of Regional Environmental Justice Committees, to prepare an annual report about the combined work of Regional Environmental Justice Committees across this commonwealth and to monitor reporting processes for Regional Environmental Justice Committees who will develop an action plan for the municipality addressing environmental factors that affect community health within 120 days of the meeting under paragraph (3)(ii) and will monitor the implementation of each action plan and make recommendations to commonwealth agencies as necessary to facilitate implementation of the action plans of which the agencies will implement these strategies to the fullest extent practicable. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 108) Amends the Environmental Hearing Board Act, further providing for jurisdiction. Asserts that the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action, petition for review, appeals or challenges of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) decision and directs those wanting to file a civil action against a DEP decision shall redirect their civil action to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 189) An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to the White Birch Golf Course and Restaurant, certain lands situate in Rush Township, Schuylkill County. Provides a purchase price of $1. Provides property description. Provides for existing encumbrances. Provides conditions for conveyance. Provides for easements. Directs costs and fees of the conveyance be borne by the grantee. Directs the property may be disposed of if the conveyance is not executed within two years. Directs the proceeds be deposited into a fund under the jurisdiction of the department. Effective immediately.

(PN 289) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for definitions to define “flood-related hazard” and for the scope of the act to assert that this act shall not apply to a person taking actions to mitigate a flood-related hazard on a normal agricultural operation, as defined in section 2 of the Right-to-Farm Law. Effective immediately.

(PN 382) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a continuous maintenance permit for which the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) or a municipality may apply, stipulating that the permit shall allow permittees to maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments as specified within the permit. Mandates DEP to approve an application for a permit to an applicant if the applicant is without a sustained history of significant permit violations under this act and takes an affirmative duty over the watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments delineated in the permit application. Provides for the submission of a watercourse alone. Allows a permittee to amend the permit. Does not require a permittee to seek preapproval or further authorization from DEP for maintenance conducted under the permit. Specifies what the permit shall provide for. Outlines what a permittee shall provide to DEP by Jan. 15 of each year. Stipulates that a permit granted by DEP to a permittee shall be in effect for no less than 10 years. Directs DEP to extend a permit to a permittee for 10 years following 10 years of operation without a permit violation. Asserts that a permit violation shall be found to have occurred when the permittee failed to address an alleged violation in the manner prescribed by DEP within one year of receipt of the notice of an alleged permit violation, but not when a permittee removes or manipulates obstructions or debris within or along a watercourse in a manner that enables water obstructions, appurtenant works or encroachments specified within the permit to operate consistent with applicable plans, specifications, reports and designs previously prepared by a registered professional engineer. Mandates the permittee to accept an affirmative duty to maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments as specified within the permit. Defines “municipality.” Effective in 60 days.

(PN 383) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit authorizations. Permits a county conservation district with an approved delegation agreement per sections 6 and 17 and sections 9(11) and 11(2) of the Conservation District Law to administer certain activities under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management) to request an amendment to the approved delegation agreement for the Water Obstruction and Encroachment Program from the department for the specified purposes. Allows a county conservation district to propose methodologies for stream reconstruction activities in response to or in anticipation of significant flood events to restore the natural regimen and ecology of watercourses using appropriate methodologies that are based on current scientific principles and practices and are per 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105. Directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to review a proposed county stream reconstruction program for conformance with current scientific principles and practices and 25 Pa. Code Ch. 105 and provide a record of decision on the proposed county stream reconstruction program to the county conservation district, including a detailed technical review of the proposed county stream reconstruction program. Outlines duties and provisions for county conservation districts and DEP upon approval of the county stream reconstruction program. Provides for persons aggrieved by a county conservation district or DEP. Mandates DEP to provide notice to each county conservation district of the availability of a county stream reconstruction program within 60 days of the effective date. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 773) Amends the Administrative Code, in administrative organization, further providing for departmental administrative boards, commissions, and offices; in organization of departmental administrative boards and commissions and of advisory boards and commissions, further providing for advisory boards and commissions and repealing provisions relating to Environmental Quality Board (EQB); in powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and its departmental administrative commission, further providing for seasonal farm labor; in powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Resources, its officers and departmental and advisory boards and commissions, further providing for EQB and for powers of EQB. Eliminates EQB. Gives EQB duties to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Asserts that DEP adheres to the law as written. Replaces the responsibility to “furnish opportunities for healthful recreation to the public” with “maintain and manage existing public recreation opportunities.” Asserts that any reference to EQB under a statute or regulation that was in effect before the effective date is deemed a reference to DEP. Transfers all personnel, allocations, appropriations, equipment, files, records, contracts, agreements, obligations and other materials used by EQB to DEP. Provides that any personnel transferred to DEP will retain any civil service employment status. Provides definitions. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 671) Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in renaming Department of Environmental Resources and defining rulemaking authority of Department of Environmental Protection, repealing provisions relating to Department of Environmental Protection and providing for Department of Environmental Services; and making editorial changes. Renames the “Department of Environmental Protection” as the “Department of Environmental Services” to emphasize that the department is focused on services with no effect on the jurisdiction or enforcement obligations of the department. Specifies provisions for references, designation, signage and computer systems. Changes all references to the old name throughout the act. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 674) Amends the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties. Adds that the department must require all major facilities to develop and maintain a municipal notification plan designed to give notice where the facility is located in the event of an industrial equipment breakdown or accident causing air pollution that causes a significant health risk to the municipality. Outlines the minimum notification plan requirements. Adds that for every subsequent violation, a major facility must pay $37,000 per day. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 857) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), in other offenses, providing for sky lantern tethering; and imposing penalties. Defines the offense of intentionally releasing or leaving a sky lantern unattended. Establishes penalties. Provides several definitions. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 957) Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources), providing a chapter for electronic waste recycling; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); establishing the Advisory Committee on Electronic Waste Recycling; and imposing penalties. Provides several definitions. Requires imposition of eco-fees. Provides applicability. Mandates consultation with the registry. Requires registration with the clearinghouse and an audit. Details the clearinghouse requirements, including the collection and depositing of eco-fees. Lists permitted use of funds. Provides a stewardship plan and compliance. Directs the entering of eco-fee-sharing arrangements. Provides clearinghouse powers. Requires submission of market share information to the clearinghouse. Provides covered electronic device (CED) manufacturer requirements. Outlines group plan requirements. Establishes standards for program collection sites. Mandates the submission of individual manufacturer and group plans. Requires review of stewardship plans. Highlights the recycler and collector responsibilities. Directs the preparation of the submission on annual reports. Establishes an advisory committee and explains the purpose. Details the environmental sound management requirements. Provides a disposal ban. Outlines enforcement and penalties. Provides antitrust activities. Asserts that the chapter does not prohibit a waste hauler from entering into a contractual agreement with a unit of local government to establish a collection program for the recycling or reuse of CEDs, including services such as curbside collection, home pick-up, drop-off locations or similar methods of collection. Further asserts that no person is prohibited from establishing an e-waste program independently of a manufacturer e-waste program under his chapter. Effective in 60 days.

(PN 523) Resolution designating the week of April 20 through 26, 2025, as "Conservation District Week" in Pennsylvania.

(PN 923) Resolution designating the week of June 8 through 14, 2025, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

(PN 1333) Resolution celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.