Authority_October_2020

October 2020 - The Authority 13 HB 1808 (Representative Ryan Mackenzie – Berks, Lehigh) classifies post-use plastics as raw materials for manufacturing following the utiliza- tion of advanced recycling technol- ogies. The bill was amended in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee which was PMAA negotiated language providing for the utilization of waste source separation and clarifies the applicability and scope of advanced recycling. Bill Status: Voted out of House En- vironmental Resources and Energy Committee, as amended on June 10, 2020. Passed the House (Y: 155/N: 46) on July 7, 2020, referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committtee and reported from committee (Y: 7/N: 4) on September 3, 2020. HB 2597 (Representative John Law- rence – Chester) amends the Public Utility Code (Title 66) requiring voter input/ ratepayer approval prior to the sale of a publically managed water or sewer system in the Commonwealth. If a majority of ratepayers vote against the proposed sale via referendum, then the Public Utility Commission would be required to disapprove the sale. Representative Lawrence also filed an amendment with the same language to HB 1718 (Representative Austin Davis – Allegheny). Bill Status: Introduced on July 1, 2020 and referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee. HB 2635 (Representative Seth Grove – York) transfers certain special funds including the Environmental Steward- ship Fund, Recycling Fund and others into the General Fund. Until the spe- cial fund transfers occur and all funds under them are used for managing diminished cash flow resulting from the Governor’s COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration, state agencies may not participate in the Municipal Liquidity Facility Program established under the federal CARES Act. Bill Status: Introduced on June 29, 2020 and referred to the House Appro- priations Committee. HB 2743 (Representative Jason Ortitay – Allegheny) amends Title 45 (Legal Notices) by modernizing advertising requirements by allowing authorities and local governments to advertise public notices either elec- tronically or in printed format by choosing from a menu of options. PMAA and the other local government associations provided input for the legislation and support it. Bill Status: Introduced on August 6, 2020 and referred to the House Local Government Committee. HB 2746 (Representative Christina Sappey – Chester) amends the Public Utility Code (Title 66). The bill is identical to HB 2597 by Representa- tive John Lawrence. In addition, the bill provides a water ratepayer bill of rights to ensure transparency and accountability. It requires the acquir- ing utility to provide an annual pri- vatization report for the potential new ratepayers which includes the average residential billing amounts of the acquiring utility, purchases it has made in the last 10 years that were previous- ly owned by a municipal authority or municipality as well as other crucial provisions. Bill Status: Introduced on August 6, 2020 and referred to the House Con- sumer Affairs Committee. SB 1222 (Senator John Disanto – Dau- phin, Perry) amends Title 45 (Legal Notices) which allows authorities and local governments to advertise public notices either electronically or in printed format by choosing from a menu of options. The bill is similar to HB 2743. Bill Status: Introduced on June 30, 2020 and referred to the Senate Local Government Committee. SB 1234 (Senator Thomas Killion – Delaware) provides constituents and small businesses with expanded utility bill payment assistance as the econo- my recovers. In particular, it utilizes flexible funds available under the Federal CARES Act to assist cus- tomers who have been economically displaced as a result of the pandemic. The PUC would receive $25 million for public utilities and PENNVEST would receive $25 million for water and wastewater providers. Bill Status: Introduced on August 18, 2020 and referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. CO-SPONSOR MEMOS Utility Assistance Senator Steven Santarsiero (Bucks) circulated a co-sponsorship memo regarding legislation he plans to introduce to direct CARES money for utility assistance across the Com- monwealth. The proposed legislation appropriates money to the traditional LIHEAP program for assistance to lower-income individuals and it also appropriates money to assist middle income individuals and families who have fallen behind on their utility bills. Utility companies would apply through the Department of Human Services for assistance on behalf of residential customers. Eligible utilities include: municipal-owned authorities, electric distribution companies, natural gas distribution companies, heating oil companies, liquid propane companies, water companies, wastewater compa- nies, and electric cooperatives. Public Safety Authorities For the past year, PMAA has been working with Senator Tim Kearney (Delaware) and his staff in drafting legislation to add public safety ser- vices to the permitted projects under the Municipality Authorities Act.