PA
Pennsylvania House Bill HB763

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB763

Introduced
3/3/25  

Caption

Further providing for permit issuance and conditions and for enforcement orders.

Impact

The proposed changes will centralize authority within the Department of Environmental Resources, which could lead to more efficient permit processing but may also lessen the regulatory influence of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on waterway management. The new stipulations allow the Department to impose conditions on permits, thereby ensuring adherence to safety and environmental standards. However, the removal of the Commission's jurisdiction raises concerns about the protection of fishing habitats and water quality.

Summary

House Bill 763 seeks to amend the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by establishing clearer guidelines regarding permit issuance for projects involving dams and water obstructions. The bill empowers the Department of Environmental Resources to issue permits based on compliance with existing regulations while restricting the authority of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission concerning stream maintenance activities. This is aimed at streamlining the regulatory process for projects that impact waterways and infrastructure related to dams.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 763 appears mixed. Proponents argue that the bill will facilitate necessary development while ensuring safety through a more predictable permit process. Critics, on the other hand, express concern that diminishing the role of the Fish and Boat Commission may compromise essential protections for Pennsylvania's waterways, highlighting a tension between development and conservation interests.

Contention

A notable point of contention is the delineation of responsibilities between the Department of Environmental Resources and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Critics fear that the bill could lead to conflicts in enforcement and oversight of water-related activities, potentially resulting in environmental degradation. The dialogue around HB 763 underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between regulatory oversight and development needs in Pennsylvania.

Latest PA HB763 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session HB763

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB423

Further providing for permit issuance and conditions and for enforcement orders.

PA HB2602

Further providing for permit issuance and conditions.

PA HB200

Providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits.

PA SB689

Providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits.

PA SB28

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in applications and permits, further providing for permit and license application requirements; and making a repeal.

PA HB2042

In revenues, providing for audits of Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund; in administration and enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for records and confidentiality of information; in application and licensure, further providing for establishment licenses, for license or permit prohibition, for issuance and renewal and for conditional licenses; in operation, further providing for testing and certification of terminals and for video gaming limitations, providing for hours of operation and further providing for terminal placement agreements and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in revenues, further providing for distribution of local share, for regulatory assessments and for transfers from Video Gaming Fund; in ethics, further providing for political influence; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; providing for implementation; and making a repeal.

PA HB2209

In dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

PA SB429

Further providing for disability benefits and for definitions.

PA HB1275

Providing 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.

PA SB838

In sentencing, further providing for order of probation, for conditions of probation and for modification or revocation of order of probation and providing for probation review conference.

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