An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act, in general provisions, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of the department; in applications and permits, further providing for permits and licenses required, transition scheme and reporting requirements and providing for requirements for animal processing residuals and food processing residuals, for requirements for the storage, transfer and transport of animal processing residuals and food processing residuals by commercial brokers and commercial haulers, for preemption of local ordinances and for mitigation; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Mastriano and 4 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill establishing state regulations for animal and food processing waste with state-level preemption of local ordinances governing storage, transport, and commercial handling.

Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy

Legislative bill overview

SB 763 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to establish new regulatory frameworks for animal and food processing residuals, including permit requirements, storage and transport standards, and commercial broker/hauler licensing. The bill creates state-level preemption of local ordinances governing these materials and abrogates existing regulations to implement a new regulatory scheme.

Why is this important

Animal and food processing residuals are substantial waste streams in agricultural states like Pennsylvania, affecting waste management costs, environmental protection, and industry operations. The bill's preemption of local ordinances represents a significant shift in regulatory authority from municipalities to the state, which could standardize practices across regions but may override stricter local environmental protections communities have established.

Potential points of contention

Local control vs. state preemption: Municipalities lose ability to set their own standards for handling these materials, which some communities may view as more protective of local environmental and public health interests

Regulatory clarity and burden: New permit and licensing requirements could create compliance costs and complexity for small-to-medium agricultural and food processing businesses

Environmental protection adequacy: Establishing baseline state standards may be weaker than existing local protections, raising concerns about inconsistent environmental safeguards across the state, particularly in sensitive watersheds or populated areas near processing facilities