Legislative Action

The Registration Act for Professional Engineers has been amended with a few subtle but important changes.  Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law Act No. 32 of 2024 on June 28^th marking the final step in the legislative process for Senate Bill 403 prime sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R, Luzerne County).  The following is a synopsis of the changes:

*The definition of the "practice of engineering" now includes "analysis" .  A court opinion addressing the difference between land surveying and GIS work commented that the wording in the "practice of engineering" definition did not include the word "design", implying that activities that did not include the preparation of a design were not part of the practice of engineering.  This addition of "design" makes it clear that the many engineering activities performed by licensed engineers constitute the practice of engineering even when a design is not part of the activity.

*The title "engineering intern" has replaced the previous term "engineer in training".  The title in Pennsylvania is now consistent with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) terminology.

The PA House and Senate resumed session this past month, moving a number of legislative “vehicle” bills a step or two closer to the finish line, but when the leaders could not reach agreement on a final spending plan for the 2024-25 Fiscal year, which begins on July 1, the bodies were sent home for the weekend. Both Chambers will return on July 8, hopefully to finish the annual budget process and recess for the summer. Differences over big ticket items such as court-mandated school funding, transportation and infrastructure construction projects, and of course, human services, as well as what to do, if anything with the billions of dollars in the state reserve fund have divided the General Assembly, even beyond the majorities in the respective chambers.

Sen. Devlin Robinson’s (R-37) legislation to enhance Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry was signed into law on June 13.Act 24 of 2024 – previously Senate Bill 497 – will establish the Max Manufacturing Initiative Act, offering grants and loans to eligible applicants in advanced manufacturing. The act enables state universities to collaborate with engineering firms to enhance research, foster business partnerships, produce high-value products and create well-paying jobs.

“The Max Manufacturing Initiative Act represents a significant investment in advanced manufacturing and our commonwealth,” Robinson said. “It’s the result of extensive collaboration, hard work and bipartisan support; I’m thrilled the governor signed it into law.”

The manufacturing industry in the United States produces more than $5.8 trillion dollars annually. Pennsylvania has a robust manufacturing sector, employing more than 564,700 residents – nearly 10% of all jobs in Pennsylvania.

“This law not only bolsters cooperation between state universities and engineering firms, but will foster robust business partnerships, drive the production of high-value products and create well-paying jobs,” Robinson said. “The Max Manufacturing Initiative Act is a monumental step forward for our state’s economic growth and technological advancement.”

The act establishes two funds – the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund and the Max Manufacturing Endeavor Loan Fund to provide grants and loans for specialized equipment, infrastructure and facilities for advanced manufacturing. The Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee these funds.

HB 2324 RE: General Appropriation Act of 2024 (by Rep. Jordan A. Harris)

Provides appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

Reported as committed House Appropriations Committee, read first time, and re-committed to House Rules Committee, 6/25/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, read second time, and re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 6/26/2024 

HB 2328 RE: Capital Budget Act of 2024-2025 (by Rep. Jordan A. Harris)

Provides for the capital budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 and repeals section 2.1(2) of the Capital Budget Act of 2019-2020. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Reported as amended from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, and re-committed to House Rules Committee, 6/25/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, read second time, and re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 6/27/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed House, 6/28/2024 

HB 2330 RE: Workers Comp Budget (by Rep. Jordan A. Harris)

An Act making an appropriation of $87,302,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary, from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry, including $11,500,000 for information technology and other associated costs related to the workers’ compensation automation and integration system merger and the DT 1.6 – The Digital Transformation Project. Makes an appropriation of $550,000 from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Reported as amended from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, and re-committed to House Rules Committee, 6/25/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, read second time, and re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 6/27/2024 

HB 2425 RE: Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program (by Rep. Kyle Donahue, et al

An Act providing for the funding of the development of comprehensive regional plans, competitive sites for businesses to locate or expand within this Commonwealth and competitive industrial and nonindustrial sites by assisting in the reduction of development risk; establishing the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program, the PA SITES Fund and the PA SITES Debt Service Restricted Account; and conferring powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority.

Introduced and referred to House Appropriations Committee, 6/18/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, and re-committed to House Rules Committee, 6/25/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Rules Committee, read second time, and

re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 6/27/2024 

Re-reported as amended from House Appropriations Committee, read third time, and passed House,

6/28/2024 

SB 497 RE: Max Manufacturing Initiative Act (by Sen. Devlin J. Robinson, et al)

The Max Manufacturing Initiative Act provides for advanced manufacturing facilities and infrastructures through business partnerships with State-related institutions; establishes the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund and Max Manufacturing Endeavor Loan Fund; provides for prevailing wage; and imposes powers and duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Adds a definition for “prevailing wage” and strikes the definition for “project labor agreement.” Adds that applicants need to make a good faith effort to recruit and employ, or to encourage any construction contractors or subcontractors to recruit and employ, workers from the local labor market for employment for all construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration and repair work, other than maintenance work to the grant requirements. Repeals language related to project labor agreement requirements and provides for local hire requirements. Establishes Prevailing wage requirements, as Chapter 11, including rates and conditions. Makes technical adjustments.

Referred to House Rules Committee, 6/3/2024

Re-reported on concurrence, as committed from House Rules Committee, and House concurred in Senate amendments to House amendments, 6/4/2024 

Signed in Senate, 6/4/2024 

Signed in House, 6/5/2024

Approved by the Governor, 6/13/2024 Act No. 24 of 2024

SB 1001 RE: General Appropriation Act of 2024 (by Sen. Scott Martin, et al)

Provides appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Re-reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, 6/24/2024 

Read third time and passed Senate, 6/26/2024 (49-1)

Referred to House Appropriations Committee, reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, laid on the table, and removed from the table, 6/26/2024

Read second time, and re-referred to House Appropriations Committee, 6/27/2024 

SB 1002 RE: Professional Licensure Augmentation Account Appropriation (by Sen. Scott Martin, et al)

An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State (DOS) for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto. Appropriates $74,480,000 from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account within the General Fund to DOS for the operation of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Appropriates $11,240,000 from the restricted receipts account of the State Board of Medicine for the operation of the board for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Appropriates $3,194,000 from the restricted receipts account of the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine for the operation of the board for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Appropriates $442,000 from the restricted receipts account of the State Board of Podiatry for the operation of the board for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Appropriates $908,000 from the Athletic Commission Augmentation Account for the State Athletic Commission for the support and operation of the commission for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Directs the listed appropriations to be treated and accounted for as separate appropriations from DOS, general government or other appropriations. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Re-reported as amended from Senate Appropriations Committee, 6/24/2024 

Read third time, and passed Senate, 6/25/2024 

Referred to House Appropriations Committee, re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read first time, laid on the table, and removed from the table, 6/26/2024 

Read second time, and re-referred to House Appropriations Committee, 6/27/2024 

SB 1275 RE: Workforce Development Funds (by Sen. Scott Martin)

Provides appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of certain agencies of the Executive Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Appropriates $30,847,000 to the Executives Offices for the Office of the Budget. Appropriates $15,000,000 to the Department of Community and Economic Development for workforce development. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Introduced and referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 6/20/2024 

Reported as committed from Senate Appropriations Committee, and read first time, 6/24/2024 

Read second time, and re-committed to Senate Appropriations Committee, 6/25/2024 

HB491  RE: Expanding the Use of Mechanical Insulation in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs (by Rep. Regina G. Young, et al)

Amends Title 66 (Public Utilities), in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for energy efficiency and conservation program to indicate the commission may not disapprove a plan due to the inclusion of mechanical insulation which is not cost-effective using a total resource cost test. Inserts definition for mechanical insulation.

Reported as amended from Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee, and read first time, 6/25/2024 

Read second time, and re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee, 7/2/2024 

HB 1032 RE: Solar for Pennsylvania Schools (by Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, et al)

The Solar for Schools Act establishes the Solar for Schools Grant Program; and provides for powers and duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Provides and revises several definitions. Establishes the grant program in DCED and provides that the department will award grants to eligible applicants. Provides for the use of grants and grant awards. Outlines the duties of DCED, making editorial changes. Establishes the manner in which an eligible applicant shall submit an application, striking certain language and providing requirements for an affidavit that the application shall include. Removes language providing for the prevailing wage requirement. Provides provisions for payment and project delivery. Specifies that an eligible applicant may receive a grant of up to 50 percent of the eligible project costs for the solar energy project. Strikes current language providing for grant awards and requires the department to develop a rubric to prioritize grant awards, outlining what the rubric shall consider. Provides for limitations, guidelines and an administrative fee. Effective July 1, 2024, or immediately, whichever is later.

Reported as amended from Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee, and read first time, 6/26/2024 

Read second time, 6/27/2024 

SB 831 RE: Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Primacy Act

An Act providing for the injection of carbon dioxide into an underground reservoir for the purpose of carbon sequestration, for the ownership of pore space in strata below surface lands and waters of the Commonwealth, for conveyance of the surface ownership of real property; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and establishing the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fund.

Reported as amended from House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, read first time, and laid on the table, 6/25/2024 

Removed from table, 6/27/2024 

Amended on House floor, read second time, and House Appropriations Committee, 6/28/2024 

HB 782 RE: MPC Impact Reports (by Rep. Mike H. Schlossberg, et al)

Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code in subdivision and land development, providing for potentially impacted municipalities and further providing for approval of plats and for completion of improvements or guarantee thereof prerequisite to final plat approval; providing for developments of regional significance and impact to create and propose developments for regional significance and impact; and, in zoning hearing boards and other administrative proceedings, further providing for jurisdiction to account for financial considerations of the host municipality or county the municipality is located. Requires a person who proposes a subdivision or development of land to inform the county or regional planning commission and the governing body of each contiguous municipality in writing that the person’s application may constitute a development of regional significance and impact if the application proposes a listed development, within 10 days of submitting an application for preliminary plat approval. Asserts that within 30 days of receiving notification, the potentially impacted municipality may, in writing, request that the reviewing governing body or planning agency require the submission of an impact analysis. Provides for if the governing body, or planning agency designated to review applications, requires an applicant to prepare and remit an impact analysis within 45 days of receipt of a preliminary application for approval of a plat. Provides for the purpose of the article relative to developments of regional significance and impact. Inserts definitions for the department, earth disturbance activity, host municipality, intermodal terminal, petroleum storage facility, quarry, truck stop facility, warehouse facility and waste-handling facility. Stipulates that provisions do not apply to a person or legal entity regulated by certain mining and resource acts. Outlines the scope of this article. Directs the governing body of a host municipality, or the planning agency designated to review applications on behalf of a host municipality by requiring an applicant to prepare and submit an impact analysis, specifying when an impact analysis shall be required. Provides for contents of impact analysis, outlining submission, costs, contents and distribution. Provides for classifications as the development of regional significance and impact and outlines the Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) duties and powers. Establishes the adoption of an ordinance. Outlines appeals process. Makes editorial and technical changes.

Reported as amended from House Local Government Committee, read first time, and re-committed to House Rules Committee, 6/26/2024 

SB 403 RE: Registration Act (by Sen. Lisa Baker, et al)

Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, further providing for definitions, for general powers of board, for procedure for licensing as professional engineer, for continuing professional competency requirements. Amends language, changing "engineer in training" to "engineer intern." Inserts and amends provisions relating to procedure for licensing as professional land surveyor to update language. Requires continuing professional competency requirements, including completion of distance learning courses if the courses relate to professional practice and units are verifiable and measurable by the actual hours of instruction.

Removed from table, 6/11/2024

Read second time and re-referred to House Appropriations Committee, 6/12/2024 

Re-reported as committed from House Appropriations Committee, read third time, passed House, 6/24/2024 

Signed in Senate, 6/25/2024 

Signed in House, 6/26/2024 

Approved by the Governor, 6/28/2024. Act No. 32 of 2024,

SB 1242 RE: Continuing Education Enhancement Act (by Sen. Judy Ward, et al)

Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)), in powers and duties, adding a section to provide for continuing education tracking system. Directs the bureau to implement an electronic or cloud-based continuing education tracking system for use by each licensing board and licensing commission to which a licensee, registrant, certificate holder or permit holder is required to provide proof of continuing education compliance for license, registration, certificate or permit renewal in a practice act. Outlines system requirements. Requires the bureau to develop a plan for implementation of the continuing education tracking system no later than 60 days after the effective date. Requires the bureau to ensure that the continuing education tracking system is operational no later than 18 months after the effective date, allowing the bureau to contract with a third-party entity to establish the system. Provides for use of system and for construction. Effective in 60 days.

Introduced and referred to Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee, 6/7/2024

Reported as committed - Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee, and read first time, 6/27/2024 

July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

September 16, 17, 18, 30

October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23

November 13, 14

PUBLIC WELCOME 

All Board meetings are held in person and remotely via Teams. In-person meetings will be held at a new location: 2525 N. 7^th Street, Harrisburg, PA

https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/EngineersLandSurveyorsandGeologists/Pages/General-Board-Information.aspx#.VHNkfFZOk5s

2024 meeting dates: July 24, September 25, November 13

2025 dates: January 30, March 27, May 15, July 24, September 18, November 13

1 Technology Park, Commonwealth Technology Center (CTC), Harrisburg, PA 17110

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Remaining 2024 Meeting Schedule: August 15, November 21

https://www.oa.pa.gov/Programs/Information%20Technology/Pages/geoboard.aspx

https://www.dli.pa.gov/ucc/Pages/UCC-Review-and-Advisory-Council.aspx

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Individuals who do not have the Zoom software may download the software. Questions concerning this meeting may be directed to Kristen Gardner at (717) 346-1497. Additional information is available on the Pennsylvania Bulletin. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol54/54-27/951.html

Future meeting dates can be found below, and agenda topics will be added once available. All Council meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

https://zoom.us/j/3611316502?pwd=U0N1QVdQRFJjVE1YT20wdGZiVDVsQT09

Meeting ID: 361 131 6502

Passcode: 259161

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