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HB 2442

An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for temporary operating license; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 24 co-sponsors

The bill creates a temporary operating license for drinking water-related activities and assigns new or clarified duties to the Department of Agriculture to safeguard water quality

Referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2442

Summary of HB 2442 (Pennsylvania, 2025-2026)

Key purpose

HB 2442 amends the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act (Act of May 1, 1984, P.L.206, No. 43) to create a provision for a temporary operating license and to impose duties on the Department of Agriculture. The bill’s objectives appear to be to streamline or authorize temporary operation of certain water-related activities and to assign regulatory responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture, in addition to existing framework under the Safe Drinking Water Act. (Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated changes; exact language should be consulted for precise definitions and scope.)

Main provisions and changes

  • Temporary operating license:

    • The bill provides for a new mechanism of issuing a temporary operating license related to drinking water or related activities regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
    • Purpose is typically to allow interim operation during pendency of full licenses, renewals, or in response to specific conditions, subject to defined limitations and oversight.
    • Details such as eligibility criteria, duration (e.g., number of days or months), renewal, and conditions of licensure (safety, reporting, testing requirements) would be specified in the bill.

  • Duties on the Department of Agriculture:

    • The bill imposes or clarifies responsibilities of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in relation to safe drinking water activities.
    • Potential areas include monitoring, enforcement, collaboration with other agencies, issuing permits or licenses, and ensuring agricultural practices do not compromise drinking water quality.
    • Specific duties—such as inspection frequency, reporting requirements, and compliance timelines—would be defined in the statutory text.

  • Administrative/Regulatory framework:

    • Updates to procedural processes for obtaining temporary licenses or complying with agricultural-related duties.
    • Inter-agency coordination requirements, and potential timelines for implementing the new temporary licensing regime.

Who is affected

  • Water system operators and facilities: Entities involved in providing or managing drinking water may access temporary operating licenses under the act, subject to criteria and oversight.
  • Agricultural entities and practices: The Department of Agriculture’s new or clarified duties could affect agricultural operations that impact drinking water quality, including compliance and enforcement activities.
  • Regulatory agencies: Possible adjustments to roles among state agencies (e.g., Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Agriculture) in relation to safe drinking water oversight.
  • Public health and consumers: Indirect beneficiaries through potential improvements in licensing flexibility and ongoing water safety oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective dates and phase-in: The bill would specify when the temporary operating license provisions take effect and any transitional rules.
  • Licensing timelines: Procedures for applying for, issuing, renewing, and terminating temporary licenses are expected to be defined.
  • Reporting and oversight: The bill may require periodic reporting to the legislature or public dashboards regarding temporary licenses issued and compliance status.

Practical considerations

  • The introduction of a temporary operating license aims to provide a regulatory bridge for operators during licensing or operational transitions, but it also imposes clear duties on the Department of Agriculture to safeguard water quality.
  • Stakeholders should review the exact statutory language for definitions (e.g., which facilities or activities are covered, what constitutes “temporary,” eligibility standards, and any associated fees or penalties).

If you’d like, I can pull the precise text of HB 2442 and provide a line-by-line explanation of definitions, thresholds, and administrative procedures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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