This week, the Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation that would add to the options available for local governments to address the widespread problem of storm water runoff. Senate Bill 1255, sponsored by Senator Ted Erickson, R-Delaware, was approved by a unanimous 46-0 vote.
Senate Bill 1255 builds on the passage of Act 68 of 2013, also sponsored by Senator Erickson, that allows local governments to form storm water authorities.
Storm water authorities will allow communities to work together to address storm water issues on a watershed basis. They could also provide a potential source of stable funding for storm water projects and planning as municipalities work to fulfill their federal and state clean water obligations.
Senate Bill 1255 would give storm water authorities the option to establish a program to allow property owners to reduce any charges or fees by implementing and maintaining best storm water management practices. These best management practices would reduce the contribution to flooding and polluted runoff from individual properties and provide an incentive for private storm water management.
PennFuture thanks members of the Senate for their unanimous support of the bill, and Senator Erickson for his leadership in sponsoring Senate Bill 1255.
The bill now heads to the House Local Government Committee, where Chair Kate Harper, R-Montgomery, is the sponsor of identical legislation in the form of House Bill 2144.
Steve Stroman is state policy director for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. He tweets @SteveStroman1.
