In the 2021-22 Legislative Session, we’ve passed these key measures to further Senate Republican priorities on behalf of Pennsylvanians. Click here to view all passed legislation.
During the 2021-22 legislative session, Senate Republicans led the effort to transition Pennsylvania from COVID-19 pandemic response to helping residents and employers get back to normal, productive lives.
To bolster our health care response and keep Pennsylvanians safe, the General Assembly allocated $225 million in federal funding for hospitals and frontline health care workers. Further emergency financial resources covered education programs, rent and utility assistance, and support for Pennsylvania’s struggling restaurants and taverns as they coped with the devastation created by the pandemic and the governor’s mandated closings and restrictions.
When the governor refused to act, we voted to terminate the pandemic emergency declaration and end the governor’s power to close employers, limit occupancy, suspend state statutes or issue stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19.We put constitutional amendments on the ballot that will prevent emergency overreach again by a governor.
On the economic front, Senate-passed budgets not only shielded Pennsylvanians from tax increases, they cut the Corporate Net Income Tax to attract employers to Pennsylvania, modernized expense deductions allowing small business owners more flexibility and tax planning opportunities, and provided tax incentives for small businesses to grow and invest in Pennsylvania. Other steps taken to expand job growth included establishing the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credit program and other targeted initiatives directly linked to creating family-sustaining jobs for Pennsylvanians.
Recognizing that economic prosperity is threatened in unsafe communities, Senate Republicans held public hearings over the summer of 2022 examining rising crime rates and hearing from law enforcement officers on ways to restore order. To aid crime victims, we enacted three new laws that will help protect them from being targeted again, give them a greater say in criminal proceedings and help them recover restitution from offenders.
Our schools were greatly impacted by the pandemic and lengthy closures, and some of the more important education measures we passed were those that got students back into the classroom after the pandemic, expanded educational opportunity and better prepared students for success.
Senate Republicans also championed several measures to improve health care and renew the fight to prevent tragic drug overdose deaths.
We also acted to enhance local emergency response by passing an array of measures to support police, fire and EMS personnel, including a package that will help local volunteer fire companies recruit and retain members. We continued to support veterans and military members and their families who answered the call to defend our nation, among other legislative accomplishments.
In 2021-22, Senate Republicans carried out our duty to stand between Pennsylvania families and an overreaching, overtaxing executive branch. We proudly take up that responsibility in the new session and offer our fellow citizens an alternative vision of freedom and prosperity.
Enacting Responsible Budgets
Act 1A of 2022 (Browne) cuts taxes on employers and meets the needs of Pennsylvanians today without creating multi-billion-dollar budget deficits in the future.
Act 1A of 2021 (Browne) enacts a 2021-22 state budget that holds the line on taxes, supports Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and establishes a financial safety net for the future.
Moving from Pandemic Response to Recovery
Senate Bill 2 (K. Ward) provides for three amendments to the state Constitution: excluding measures terminating disaster emergency declarations from having to be presented to the governor, requiring legislative approval of emergency disaster proclamations beyond 21 days, and prohibiting the denial of equal rights on the basis of race or ethnicity. (Approved by voters)
Act 1 of 2021 (Pittman) amends the state Fiscal Code to allocate $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling restaurants and taverns as they cope with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions.
Act 21 of 2021 ensures all waivers previously effective under the COVID-19 emergency will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2021, unless sooner terminated by the authority which initially authorized the waiver.
Act 67 of 2021 allows family members to safely visit long-term care facilities during a pandemic as essential caregivers. (Senate Bill 190, Mensch)
Act 73 of 2021 extends waivers of an array of regulatory statutes, rules and regulations to aid in Pennsylvania’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Act 14 of 2022 (Brooks) extends waivers of several regulatory statutes, rules and regulations to aid in Pennsylvania’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Act 2 of 2022 allocates $225 million in federal funding for hospitals and frontline health care workers keeping Pennsylvanians safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 618 (Phillips-Hill) prevents the excess use of power by the state Secretary of Health and prohibits vaccine passport requirements while ensuring the protection of public health. (Vetoed by governor)
Senate Resolution 90 (K. Ward) extends the emergency temporary rules adopted to maintain continuity of operations of the Senate during the COVID-19 disaster emergency until May 31, 2021, or 10 days following the expiration of the emergency declaration, whichever is earlier. (Adopted)
Senate Resolution 288 (J. Ward) authorizes a study on staffing trends at long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adopted)
House Resolution 106 terminates the pandemic emergency declaration and ends the governor’s power to close employers, limit occupancy, suspend state statutes or issue stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19. (Adopted by General Assembly)
Reforming Government
Act 59 of 2021 (Browne) consolidates the Department of Corrections with the Board of Probation & Parole and transfers the supervision of offenders and certain administrative functions from the Board to the Department but preserves parole decision–making responsibilities within the Board.
Act 65 of 2021 (Stefano) strengthens the Sunshine Act to require that agencies make meeting agendas available to the public and prohibits official action on any item not listed on the notice.
Act 88 of 2021 (Yaw) requires district attorneys in counties to have an active license to practice law to cover situations when a district attorney’s law license is suspended, or they are disbarred.
Act 46 of 2022 (Baker) allows probation meetings to be held remotely.
Act 47 of 2022 (Baker) improves the scheduling of probation and parole meetings.
Act 86 of 2022 (Argall) requires formal training for the Department’s employees regarding their legislative responsibilities and the constitutional amendment process.
Act 141 of 2022 requires the Inspector General to provide a report to the General Assembly outlining the office’s ability to investigate instances unemployment compensation fraud.
Senate Bill 106 (Argall) amends the state Constitution to allow gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate. (Adopted by General Assembly)
Securing Elections
Act 66 of 2022 requires enough ballots to be printed and supplied to each precinct for 50% of all registered voters in that precinct in each party for a primary election, and 100% of all registered voters in that precinct for a general election.
Act 88 of 2022 (Baker) bans any state employee or county from accepting money from outside groups to pay for the administration of elections in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 106 (Argall) constitutional amendments requiring ID for in-person and mail voting and audits of elections, including the administration of elections and the results. (Adopted by General Assembly)
Senate Bill 573 (Mastriano) allows all registered Pennsylvania voters to be eligible to be a poll watcher in any precinct in the state, ensures poll watchers can clearly observe the pre-canvassing and counting of all ballots and makes other improvements to protect the integrity of elections. (Vetoed by Governor)
House Bill 1300 enacts comprehensive voter rights bill designed to transform our election system and restore public confidence in the outcome of elections. (Vetoed by Governor)
Aiding Children & Families
Act 61 of 2022 provides that a caretaker of a care-dependent person commits a felony of the third degree if the caretaker engages in sexual intercourse with the care-dependent person.
Act 20 of 2021 aligns the Family Caregiver Support Act with federal standards, expands the definition of “care receiver” to add a child being raised by a grandparent and an adult with a disability who is cared for by an older adult, and makes other changes to help families.
Act 29 of 2021 amends the Tender Years Hearsay Act to permit the introduction of out-of-court statements made by children 12 years of age or younger concerning violent or sexual offenses.
Act 42 of 2021 allows a criminal justice agency to share information relating to an allegation or instance of child abuse with a county agency or the Department of Human Services to investigate, or with a children’s advocacy center to provide services to investigating agencies.
Act 48 of 2021 gives the Attorney General’s office concurrent jurisdiction to investigate individuals who use their position of trust to financially exploit older adults and care-dependent people.
Act 49 of 2021 targets elder abuse by making it a misdemeanor crime for a professional caretaker to post pictures of care-dependent individuals on social media without permission with the intent to ridicule or demean.
Act 53 of 2021 (Baker) increases the penalties for those convicted of child pornography and permits the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to create a sentencing enhancement for those convicted of the sexual abuse of children when the victim is known to the defendant.
Act 69 of 2021 (Mensch) allows individuals with disabilities to increase earnings under a new category of Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities entitled Workers with Job Success.
Act 42 of 2022 (Laughlin) designates the locations where smoke detectors must be installed in child care facilities and requires that they are interconnected so that if one is triggered, they all go off.
Act 112 of 2022 allows voluntary contributions to the Children’s Trust Fund when electronically renewing a driver’s license or identification card and when renewing a vehicle registration.
Act 114 of 2022 establishes the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Greater Father Involvement.
Act 118 of 2022 helps older foster youth find more permanent family connections by making expectations clearer and ensuring that legal requirements in place are fully implemented.
Act 137 of 2022 maximizes the amount of money generated by the Pennsylvania Lottery for senior citizen programs by extending the required 20% profit margin to 2029.
Act 144 of 2022 (K. Ward) requires offenders convicted of a sex trafficking-related crime to register as sex offenders.
Act 150 of 2022 (Baker) seeks to ensure that all pregnant women and all children in Pennsylvania receive blood tests to detect lead poisoning.
House Bill 14 amends the Pennsylvania Constitution to create a two-year window for retroactive lawsuits from victims whose statute of limitations has already expired. (Adopted)
Improving Health Care
Act 11 of 2021 creates the Living Donor Protection Act.
Act 23 of 2021 (Mensch) gives individuals renewing either their vehicle registration or driver’s license an option to donate to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
Act 56 of 2021 (Bartolotta) dedicates additional Medicaid funding for ventilator and tracheostomy services.
Act 60 of 2021 (Gordner) recognizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists under Pennsylvania statute to prevent them from leaving Pennsylvania because of designation issues.
Act 68 of 2021 authorizes the Commonwealth to join the Nurse Licensure Compact recognizing mutual agreement in the requirements for nurse licensing, and provides the benefit of easier transfer of licenses from states within the compact.
Act 78 of 2021 & Act 79 of 2021 (Pittman) modernizes state law to encourage more physician assistants to stay and practice in the Commonwealth resulting in a wider range of medical professionals across the healthcare delivery system.
Act 98 of 2021 (J. Ward) addresses nursing home labor shortages by allowing individuals participating in a state-approved nurse aide training program to complete the education portion online.
Act 92 of 2021 extends the Social Security cost-of-living-adjustment moratorium for individuals enrolled in PACE and PACENET to preserve access to these senior citizen prescription drug programs. (Senate Bill 323, J. Ward)
Act 94 of 2021 expands income eligibility for the PACENET senior prescription drug program.
Act 2 of 2022 allocates $225 million in federal funding for hospitals and frontline health care workers keeping Pennsylvanians safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Act 29 of 2022 (Tomlinson) establishes the CMV Education and Newborn Testing Act to create public awareness of cytomegalovirus and provide for CMV screening for certain newborns.
Act 128 of 2022 requires Contract Health Care Service Agencies that provide temporary nursing workers in nursing homes, assisted living residences and personal care homes to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Act 143 of 2022 restores prosthetic and orthotic care in Pennsylvania by amending state law regulating the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists and orthotic fitters.
Act 146 of 2022 (Phillips-Hill) creates standards and timely feedback for commercial health insurance plans, as well as Medicaid plans, when health care providers seek prior authorization approval from insurers.
Act 159 of 2022 (Martin) gives continuing educational credits to dentists who volunteer at free clinics and charity events.
Act 162 of 2022 (Pittman) reduces the waiting time for Pennsylvanians to get refills of their prescription eyedrops.
Confronting the Opioid Epidemic
Act 35 of 2021 requires recovery house staff to notify an emergency contact if the resident self-discharges or leaves the recovery house and fails to return as expected.
Act 41 of 2021 requites rehabilitation facilities to notify a designated contact when a person backslides during treatment and discharges themselves against medical advice.
Act 57 of 2021 (Langerholc) requires employers who have a certified safety committee to include information about the risks associated with the use of opioids.
Act 72 of 2021 extends the successful Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions to help doctors and pharmacists battle opioid abuse.
Act 101 of 2022 clarifies that a person cannot be denied admission to a treatment facility based solely on a negative drug test and authorizes creation of local suicide and overdose fatality review teams.
Act 111 of 2022 helps prevent deadly overdoses by removing fentanyl test strips from the definition of “drug paraphernalia” which are prohibited and carry serious penalties.
Act 135 of 2022 extends Good Samaritan protections for the use of new opioid overdose reversal drugs in advance of their anticipated federal approval.
Act 158 of 2022 (Mastriano) requires first responders – including law enforcement and emergency medical services – to report overdoses into an electronic statewide system that will be developed and maintained in consultation with the Department of Health.
Enhancing Emergency Response
Act 10 of 2022 (Stefano) provides $25 million in federal funding to support EMS providers and ensures that all fire companies – volunteer, paid or combination – are eligible for the low-interest loans through the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program.
Act 49 of 2022 (Brooks) extends the law permitting service organizations such as fire companies, veterans’ organizations and others to use 100% of their Small Games of Chance money to cover their general operating expenses.
Act 60 of 2022 provides for a sentencing enhancement for the killing of a domestic animal in the cases of burglary or criminal trespass and makes it a crime to intentionally torture or kill police animals.
Act 99 of 2022 better protects law enforcement officers against harassment by strengthening penalties against criminals who intentionally spit on or throw bodily fluids at officers.
- Puts in place a Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program.
- Establishes recruitment, training and retention initiatives – including higher and secondary education partnerships for EMS.
- Provides financial assistance for career and volunteer fire companies to shore up their facilities.
- Increases the maximum amount of fire and EMS grants and allows merged companies to receive higher grants for 20 years.
- Provides funding for online fire training.
- Requires the State Fire Commissioner to establish an online registry of firefighters’ courses.
- Sets up a Fireworks Safety Education Program.
Act 155 of 2022 (Stefano) lowers the minimum age of a junior firefighter to complete the Interior Firefighting Module with the Live Burns training program from 18 to 17 years.
Act 157 of 2022 (Mastriano) allows tow truck operators to use blue lights while responding to a disabled vehicle to better alert operators of passing vehicles who don’t respond to yellow lights.
Act 165 of 2022 further protects law enforcement officers by prohibiting the release of public safety official’s home address or telephone number.
Senate Resolution 96 (Stefano) directs the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit on the Pennsylvania’s 9-1-1 System and make recommendations in advance of the reauthorization of the 9-1-1 Law. (Adopted)
House Resolution 159 extends the state disaster emergency declared in response to Hurricane Ida until Oct. 27, giving Pennsylvanians more time to apply for recovery assistance. (Adopted)
Improving Education
Act 24 of 2021 (Fiscal Code) allocates $500 million in federal funds to help to ensure schools reopen safely, sustain safe operation and address student needs resulting from the pandemic.
Act 26 of 2021 (Martin) makes permanent a temporary program that gave schools the option to utilize individuals training to be teachers to serve as a substitute teacher, provided the individual has valid clearances and at least 60 credit hours.
Act 66 of 2021 (Corman) allows parents the option to have their child repeat a grade level during the 2021-22 school year due to COVID-19.
Act 84 of 2021 provides school nurses the option to complete free seizure management training covering seizure recognition, a seizure action plan and related first aid.
Act 91 of 2021 eases Pennsylvania’s day-to-day substitute teacher shortage by providing schools with more hiring flexibility.
Act 31 of 2022 improves workforce development initiatives and better prepares Pennsylvania students for jobs that will be in demand after they graduate.
Act 55 of 2022 loosens the threshold for schools to be considered “economically disadvantaged,” which would allow more students to access a supplemental tax credit scholarship offered through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit’s Economically Disadvantaged Schools program.
Act 121 of 2022 places State System of Higher Education police departments and campus police officers under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education Training and Commission for police certification, commission and training.
House Bill 1332 would require K-12 schools to post curricula online in a standardized, user-friendly manner. (Vetoed by governor)
House Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1 blocks Gov. Tom Wolf’s overreaching charter school regulations after his administration misused the regulatory process to avoid brokering an agreement with lawmakers.
Expanding Job Growth
Act 1A of 2022 (Browne) cuts the Corporate Net Income Tax to attract employers to Pennsylvania, modernizes expense deductions allowing small business owners more flexibility and tax planning opportunities, and provides tax incentives for small businesses to grow and invest in Pennsylvania.
Act 31 of 2022 improves workforce development initiatives and better prepares Pennsylvania students for jobs that will be in demand after they graduate.
Act 53 of 2022 creates the Airport Land Development Zone program, providing tax credits to employers that make a significant new investment by expanding operations and creating new jobs.
Act 108 of 2022 attracts new jobs by establishing the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credit program, the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Tax Credit program, the Pennsylvania Milk Processing Tax Credit program and the Semiconductor Manufacturing, Biomedical Manufacturing and the Research Tax Credit program, and increases the cap on the successful Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Program.
Act 117 of 2022 permanently suspends the requirement for minors seeking a work permit to sign the permit in the presence of the issuing officer and allows the examination to be held via video conferencing.
Fighting Crime
Act 95 of 2020 (Yudichak) strengthens the crimes code by adding penalties for fleeing an officer by foot to evade arrest.
Helping Crime Victims
Act 50 of 2022 (Baker) extends the Domestic and Sexual Violence Victim Address Confidentiality Act to give victims of child abduction and human trafficking access to substitute mailing addresses and allows applications for address confidentiality to be submitted electronically.
Act 71 of 2022 requires that a victim of a violent crime be notified of any proceeding in which conditions for bail can be modified.
Act 134 of 2022 makes it easier for crime victims to obtain relevant information learned by law enforcement during the investigation of the crime.
Act 163 of 2022 (Browne) provides for the referral of unpaid fines, fees and crime victim restitution to a collection agency when a defendant fails to appear in at a financial determination hearing.
Strengthening Cybersecurity
Act 151 of 2022 (Laughlin) requires state and local governments to notify potential victims of data breaches within seven days. The requirement applies to any state agency, county, school district, municipality or third-party vendor experiencing a breach.
Improving Transportation
Act 51 of 2022 (Gordner) allocates a portion of the fee from the sale of the special USA semiquincentennial registration plate to the Pennsylvania Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
Act 59 of 2022 increases the penalties for those who have multiple driving under the influence convictions. (Deana’s Law).
Act 84 of 2022 (Langerholc) stops the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) from imposing new tolls on existing bridges with a Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) and reforms the P3 process.
Act 90 of 2022 (Gebhard) requires drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles after winter storms and updates the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee to improve highway safety regarding large motor carriers.
Act 91 of 2022 (Hutchinson) allows heavy hauling permit holders to have the option to use equipment with additional axles if the load meets the weight criteria of the permit.
Act 92 of 2022 (Browne) provides for the seizure, forfeiture and disposal of dirt bikes and ATVs operated illegally on public roadways in a city of the first class, second class, second class A or third class.
Act 120 of 2022 requires PennDOT to create a mandatory driver improvement program for drivers who accumulate six points or more on their licenses.
Act 130 of 2022 boosts Pennsylvania’s position in the field of highly autonomous vehicle (HAV) testing by providing for the regulation and operation of HAVs.
Act 145 of 2022 (Langerholc) increases the maximum allowable gross weight of electric-powered commercial vehicles from 80,000 pounds to 82,000 pounds to align with federal law and create competitive advantages for Pennsylvania commercial trucking.
Senate Resolution 53 (Baker) directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to research and report on the effectiveness of PennDOT’s highway maintenance funding formula.
House Resolution 188 extends the disaster emergency declaration for the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh to help ensure the state is eligible to receive federal emergency relief funding.
Supporting Veterans & Military Members
Act 4 of 2021 provides a role for the Pennsylvania National Guard in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Act 31 of 2021 extends employment protections to Pennsylvania citizens who are members of another state’s National Guard.
Act 55 of 2021 (Robinson) increases the maximum donation amounts to the Veterans’ Trust Fund from $3 to $5 when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, ID card or vehicle registration and from $6 to $10 when applying for a two-year vehicle registration.
Act 63 of 2021 (Stefano) adds a member of the State Veterans Commission to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council.
Act 87 of 2021 (Phillips-Hill) designates March 6 as Persian Gulf War Veterans Day and October 7 as Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day.
Act 35 of 2022 aids conversion of military credentials into professional certifications.
Act 40 of 2022 (Mastriano) expands the terms for members on the Military and Community Enhancement Commission.
Act 44 of 2022 (Stefano) amends the Veterans Preference Law to include veterans discharged from the military due to a medical condition.
Act 45 of 2022 (Stefano) enters Pennsylvania into the EMS Interstate Compact and expedites the processing of EMS licensure applications submitted by veterans, active military, National Guard and Reserves members separating from active duty, and their spouses.
Act 49 of 2022 (Brooks) extends the law permitting service organizations such as fire companies, veterans’ organizations and others to use 100% of their Small Games of Chance money to cover their general operating expenses.
Act 54 of 2022 increases reimbursement for veteran burial details.
Act 69 of 2022 establishes a Pennsylvania Purple Star School program to acknowledge schools committed to supporting the unique needs of military-connected students. (Senate version, Senate Bill 1028, Stefano)
Act 112 of 2022 authorizes Blue Star Family specialty license plates designating the vehicle as belonging to a family member of a person serving on active duty in the military, reserves or national guard, and Afghanistan and Iraq Veteran plates.
Act 113 of 2022 authorizes specialty license plates for recipients of the Air Medal, which is awarded to members of the military who have displayed an act of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Act 124 of 2022 makes permanent the waiver permitting the Pennsylvania National Guard to operate state-owned vehicles in response to an emergency.
Act 156 of 2022 (Baker) clarifies that, relating to unemployment compensation qualifications, a spouse’s move to follow their active-duty husband or wife will not be considered voluntary if it is determined that continued employment would be impractical or unreasonably difficult.
Act 160 of 2022 (Mensch) provides a pathway for Valley Forge Military Academy and College cadets to commission early into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an U.S. Officer in the Army.
Helping Local Communities
Act 37 of 2021 establishes a process for local governments to develop microenterprises in downtown business communities to reduce blight and move residents from government assistance to work.
Act 50 of 2021 increases access to 5G technology by providing uniform regulation of small wireless facilities, accelerating high-speed deployment while protecting local rights-of-way.
Act 96 of 2021 improves access to high-speed internet in underserved communities by creating the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, a single point-of-contact for federal broadband funding.
Act 57 of 2022 eliminates the local property tax penalty if property tax bill is not received during the first year of ownership.
Act 58 of 2022 provides local governments with the option to abate property taxes to encourage the development of affordable housing.
Act 149 of 2022 (Argall) ensures funding continues for the demolition of blighted properties under the County Demolition Funding Program.
Supporting Farmers
Act 27 of 2021 promotes agritourism in Pennsylvania and provides them with limited liability protection.
Act 62 of 2021 (Vogel) extends the regulatory milk date labeling for to help bolster Pennsylvania’s dairy farms.
Act 90 of 2021 (Bartolotta) allows farmers to use a Class A, B or C driver’s license when operating farm vehicles with a combined weight of more than 26,000 pounds on roadways.
Senate Bill 736 (Langerholc) helps Pennsylvania farmers make home deliveries by enabling them to register a farm vehicle for the delivery of milk and other agricultural products to both businesses and homes. (Vetoed by Governor)
Protecting the Environment and Energy Supplies
Senate Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1 disapproves the regulation allowing Pennsylvania to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), to prevent higher energy costs, loss of jobs and erosion of the legislature’s authority over taxes.
Act 83 of 2022 (Yaw) sets clear standards for fertilizer application to turf and modernizes the state’s existing program to ensure proper testing and labeling of fertilizer products.
Act 89 of 2022 (Gebhard) allows outdoor advertisers to use energy-efficient lighting.
Senate Bill 275 (Yaw) limits municipal entities from banning any specific type of fuel source for appliances and heating homes or businesses, ensuring Pennsylvania homes and employers have access to diverse energy options. (Vetoed by governor.)
Act 133 of 2022 establishes a taskforce on exporting liquified natural gas from Pennsylvania to decrease reliance on Russian energy.
Act 136 of 2022 allows any Pennsylvania company to bid for a contract awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection for plugging oil and gas wells, regardless of the size of the business.
Act 153 of 2022 (Yaw) ensures landowners are afforded a clear and distinct assessment of royalties paid to them through lease agreements with oil and natural gas operators.
Ensuring Hunting & Boating Opportunities
Act 28 of 2022 (Robinson) aligns the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s boat registration period with the calendar year.
Act 148 of 2022 (Laughlin) makes it easier for hunters to obtain antlerless deer hunting licenses.
Curbing Illegal Immigration
Act 141 of 2022 improves enforcement of the construction industry’s use of the federal E-Verify system, which determines the eligibility of employees to work in America.