Government Relations Update

October 15, 2026

Important Stormwater Litigation Update

Memorandum from Steve A. Hann, Esquire, PMAA East Solicitor

Click here

Regulations

On October 13th, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) held its October board meeting. The EQB voted to adopt the Final Safe Drinking Water Revised Consumer Confidence Report Rule. The next step in the regulatory review process is review from the Office of General Counsel and the Office of the Budget. Following review, this regulation will move to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, where it will be considered at a public meeting before being published as Final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. To view the presentation and comment response document for the Final Rulemaking, please click here. The next EQB meeting is scheduled for November 10th, 2026.

Acts

Two new acts were signed by Governor Shapiro on October 8th, 2026, that affect Municipal Authorities. PMAA was supportive of both bills, and a Support Letter for Senate Bill 1287 is attached below.

Act 52 of 2026 (House Bill 513, Representative Eric Davanzo) - This Act amends Title 76 (Weights, Measures, and Standards) by amending a chapter to establish the State Plane Coordinate System. Provides for duties of the State Geospatial Coordinating Board, of which PMAA has a member. This Act ties the system Pennsylvania uses to define and state the horizontal and vertical positions or locations of points on the surface of the earth to the most recent system of plane coordinates based on the National Spatial Reference System (which is established by the National Geodetic Survey). Also, the official geodetic datums to which geodetic coordinates are referenced shall be as defined for the National Spatial Reference System. This Act will be in effect on November 7th, 2026.

Act 58 of 2026 (Senate Bill 1287, Senator Dawn Keefer) - This bill amends the Municipalities Planning Code, in Section 503.1, to require that when a subdivision or development will not use individual private wells, the applicant must provide clear evidence that water service will be supplied by an authorized entity, such as a certificated public utility, municipal authority, or cooperative association. Acceptable proof includes a Certificate of Public Convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (or an application for one), cooperative agreement, or a formal commitment to serve the development. While existing law requires evidence of a qualifying water supply, this bill clarifies that such evidence must be provided by the applicant prior to final subdivision or land development approval. This act will be in effect on December 7th, 2026.

PMAA Support Letter

House Majority Policy Committee Public Hearing on the Americans with Disabilities Act

House Democratic Policy Committee

10/08/2026, 3:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Julia Walters, Pennsylvania Legislative Services

The committee held a public hearing entitled: “Accessibility: Reality and Law after 36 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”

Advisory Committees

DEP Citizen's Advisory Council

On October 13th, the Citizen's Advisory Council (CAC) held it's October meeting. During the meeting, there were informational presentations regarding Emerging Concerns in Drinking Water by the Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania and an EQB petition policy revision. To view these presentations, please click here. The next CAC meeting is scheduled for November 10th, 2026.

In The News

Shapiro Administration Launches New Tools to Help Pennsylvanians Navigate DEP Permits, Find Environmental Funding More Easily

DEP Launches New Tools To Help Pennsylvanians Figure Out Which Permits They Need And Where To Find Funding To Support Their Projects; Small Business Advantage Grants Now Available

New report: Pervasive plastic pollution found throughout Delaware River, feeder waterways

CAPITAL REGION WATER ASKS COURT TO REQUIRE PA. TO PAY STORMWATER FEES

Harrisburg sues to force state government to ante up unpaid stormwater fees

Harrisburg water authority sues state to force wastewater payments, $2.4 million owed so far

Chesapeake Bay Earns High Marks in Report, but Trouble Spots Persist

Grant Opportunities

Municipal Recycling Program Performance Grant

The Department of Environmental Protection announces a request for applications from municipalities for recycling performance grant assistance for recycling programs under section 904 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101) (53 P.S. § 4000.904). Municipalities include counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, home rule municipalities, their authorities, councils of governments, consortiums or similar entities established by two or more municipalities under 53 Pa.C.S. Chapter 23 Subchapter A (relating to intergovernmental cooperation). This application period is for eligible materials recycled and marketed in Calendar Year 2025.

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program; Amended Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Intended Use Plan; Available for Public Comment

PENNVEST and DEP have amended the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 Intended Use Plan (IUP) for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The amendments of the FFY 2026 DWSRF IUP focus on the Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement grant.

To help you stay informed, PMAA publishes a weekly Legislative Bill Tracker watchlist highlighting key bills as they move through the legislative process.