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24 The Authority | October 2024 G overnment R elations U pdate Pennsylvania General Assembly Fall Schedule Senate Fall Voting Schedule October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23 November 13, 14 House Fall Voting Schedule October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23 November 12, 13 Legislation SB 525 (Senator Cris Dush - Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter) allows municipal authorities to petition the Office of Open Records for relief from vexatious requestors (PMAA supports this in Adopted Resolution #17-2024). SB 1138 (Senator Lynda Culver - Columbia) reauthorizes the Geospatial Coordinating Board for another four years (July 31, 2028). The Board’s focus is to provide advice and recommendations to the Governor and the citizens of the Commonwealth on geospatial issues and provide uniform data standards, coordination and efficiency in geospatial policy and technology issues among Federal, State and local government agencies, academic institutions and the private sector. Municipal authorities have representation on the board. The bill was signed into law on June 30, 2024, Act 35 of 2024. SB 1237 (Senator Lisa Baker - Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming) – makes changes to the “Underground Utility Line Protection Law”, many of which are minor in scope, and at the request of the Public Utility Commission, as well as to reauthorize the law for another 10 years. HB 2153 (Representative Jason Dawkins - Philadelphia) prohibits the use of “split rates” on publicly funded construction projects as well as requires prevailing wage for custom fabrication work done away from main job sites. HB 2189 (Representative Robert Matzie - Beaver) The “Underground Utility Line Protection Law” was last updated in 2017. HB 2189 would reauthorize the law for another seven years and includes needed updates to the law. HB 2241 (Representative Joshua Siegel - Lehigh) provides for safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries. The legislation would assist battery manufacturers in creating a statewide stewardship program for lithium-ion batteries. The bill was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on June 4 by a vote of 14- 11. The bill passed the House on July 8th (115-86) and has been referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. HB 2495 and HB 2496 (Representative Joe Ciresi - Montgomery) HB 2494 would require the Public Utility Commission to accept public comments on proposed rate changes or system acquisitions by both mail and electronically. HB 2496 requires public utilities to print notices of proposed rate changes on the outside of envelopes or mailings to the ratepayers. Act 12, Fair Market Value, Reform After extensive feedback from stakeholders, including PMAA, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued a Final Supplemental Implementation Order that includes four revisions to Section 1329 of the Public Utility Code. The order was adopted at the Commission’s June 13 meeting and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 20, 2024. The revisions are designed to increase public involvement and ensure greater consistency in the process for reviewing and evaluating the acquisition and valuation of municipal or authority-owned water and wastewater systems under Section 1329. Appendix A in the order includes a new checklist for applications for Section 1329 acquisitions of water and wastewater systems. Information now required will include: • Copies of the notification that will be sent by the buyer to affected customers showing clear, plain language information about rate impacts and a statement that any promise to freeze rates may be unenforceable. • Verification that at lease two in-person public hearings were scheduled and conducted prior to executing an Asset Purchase Agreement.