Hydraulic Fracking Blog: Pennsylvania legislation

The following bill and resolution were introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

PA House Bill 1097 Water Well Insurance Fund
Sponsor:	Peter J. Daley (Democrat - parts of Fayette and Washington Counties [south of Pittsburgh])
Overview:	Establishes the Water Well Insurance Board (“Board”) and Water Well Insurance Fund. Water well owners may apply to “become a subscriber to the fund for the purpose of insuring the water well against damages from intrusion or contamination.” Premium rates are set by the Board. The term “contamination” is not defined in the bill. Maximum payout under an insurance policy is capped at “replacement cost of the insured well or the maximum amount of coverage established by the fund, whichever is less.” Bill expressly states that it “shall not be construed to relieve any person, partnership, or corporation otherwise liable from any liability for damages sustained.”
Current Status:	Referred to House Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy on May 4, 2015.

PA House Resolution 316 Study to Expand Availability of Natural Gas in Pennsylvania
Sponsor:	Kevin J. Schreiber (Democrat – part of York County [south-central Pennsylvania])
Overview:	Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (“Committee”) to conduct a study on the issue of expanding the availability of natural gas to Pennsylvania homes, businesses, nonprofit organizations and units of government. Specifically directs the Committee to consider whether there is a need for particular types of infrastructure to address gaps in the availability of natural gas service.
Current Status:	Referred to House Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy on May 5, 2015.

The following bills were introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

PA Senate Bill 415 - Natural Gas Severance Tax
Sponsor:	Arthur L. Haywood III (Democrat – Philadelphia and part of Montgomery County)
Overview:	Extensive severance tax bill, with rate of “8% of the gross value of units severed at the wellhead during a reporting period.” Repeals sunset provision of Oil & Gas Act that would have terminated the impact fee upon passage of a severance tax, allowing imposition of both an impact fee and severance tax.
Current Status:	Referred to Senate Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy on April 6, 2015.

PA House Bill 855 - Amendments to Gas & Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Act
Sponsor:	Robert W. Godshall (Republican – Part of Montgomery County [outside Philadelphia])
Overview:	Transfers authority over pipeline safety inspections from Public Utility Commission to Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”). Specifies civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for violations of Act by pipeline operator. Directs DEP to submit a certification to United States Department of Transportation (“USDOT”) to authorize the DEP to enforce federal pipeline safety laws regarding intrastate pipelines within Pennsylvania. Directs DEP to make an agreement with USDOT to authorize DEP to enforce federal pipeline safety laws regarding interstate pipelines within Pennsylvania.
Current Status:	Referred to House Committee on Consumer Affairs on April 14, 2015.

The following already-introduced bill was acted upon by the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

PA House Bill 33 - Amendments to Municipalities Planning Code
Sponsor:	Glenn Grell (Republican – part of Cumberland County [outside Harrisburg])
Overview:	Amends Municipalities Planning Code (“MPC”) to allow governing body to appoint up to three residents of the municipality to serve as alternate members of the Planning Commission. Alternate members of Planning Commission appointed pursuant to this bill may participate fully in event of absence or recusal of any absent member.
Current Status:	Approved unanimously by the House Appropriations Committee on March 30, 2015. Passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on March 30, 2015. Referred to Senate Committee on Local Government on April 8, 2015.

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