17999_Authority_December

24 The Authority | December 2024 Legislation SB 144 (Senator Gene Yaw - Lycoming) prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical after January 1, 2027, and prohibits the purchase or sale of Class B firefighting foam that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical after January 1, 2026. The bill also requires the manufacturers of protective fire fighting equipment to include a statement as to whether or not the equipment contains PFAS chemicals. The bill has passed the Senate and is currently before the full House for consideration. HB 2153 (Representative Jason Dawkins - Philadelphia) expands Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Act to include custom fabrication and HVAC duct cleaning. The bill passed the House in July and was reported out of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on October 1. PMAA and the other local government associations sent a joint letter opposing the bill. (See page 26.) The bill is before the full Senate for consideration. Act 12 Fair Market Value Reform The New Jersey Water Environment Association assembled a panel on privatization at their Fall Technology Transfer Seminar on October 22 nd . The panel was titled “Privatization in Pennsylvania: A Look in New Jersey’s Future.” Jennie Shade, PMAA Senior Director for Government Relations, Mike Sullivan, PMAA Second Vice President and Executive Director of Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority, Richard Fox, PMAA Government Relations Consultant and Peggy Gallos, Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Environmental Authorities (AEA) provided a history of privatization in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, an update on legislative efforts, and actions PMAA and AEA have taken to prevent the privatization of municipal water and sewer systems. PA One Call The House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee held a hearing on the reauthorization of the PA One-Call law and House Bill 2189, sponsored by Representative Matzie (Beaver). Mike Kyle, PMAA past president, and a member of the PA One- Call Committee, provided testimony on behalf of PMAA. (See page 30.) A companion bill, SB 1237 introduced by Senator Baker (Luzerne) passed the Senate on October 1 (48-0), passed the House by a vote of 196-6, and the governor signed the bill into law as Act 127 of 2024. In particular, SB 1237 extends the sunset date of the Act through December 31, 2031 (7 years) , adds several new definitions, modifies existing definitions and provides for various technical corrections and updates (see below). Š A facility owner may not be required to locate lines installed before the effective date of the legislation, unless the facility owner has existing maps of the lines, and the maps meet the specifications of the One Call System’s Member Mapping Solutions. A facility owner is not prohibited as a member of the One Call System from voluntarily submitting maps of lines or facilities installed before the effective date of the bill. Š The bill requires facility owners to make reasonable efforts during excavation to locate or notify excavators of any known lines and abandoned lines. A facility owner is required to document communications with excavators to ensure an excavator is aware of any inability to locate facilities. Facility owners are required to comply with all requests for information by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) relating to enforcement authority within 30 days. Š It requires designers to submit a design notification through the Left to Right: Richard Fox, PMAA Government Relations Consultant; Jennie Shade, PMAA Senior Director of Government Relations; Peggy Gallos, Executive Director, Association of Environmental Authorities; and Mike Sullivan, PMAA Second Vice President and Executive Director of Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority