FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2004
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senate Agriculture Committee Meets, Passes Five Bills

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) convened a meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee yesterday to consider five pieces of legislation. The Committee reported all five bills, including one to amend the Clean and Green Act.

Rep. Major's House Bill 657 amends Act 319 of 1974 (Clean & Green) by removing farmstead land in the agricultural reserve and forest reserve land use categories from preferential assessment. The farmstead land in the agricultural use category will continue to receive preferential assessment. In addition, a measure was added in Committee to allow landowners the option of charging a fee for non-motorized, passive recreational activities on certain lands enrolled in the Clean and Green program.

"This measure will allow farmers to open their land designated under Clean and Green in a way that will bring in some extra income for them and their families, if they so choose," said Waugh.

Another bill passed by the Committee is House Bill 2589, sponsored by Rep. Jess Stairs, permits the sale of live turtles, except where prohibited by federal regulation, and would require information on the prevention of human salmonellosis infection to accompany the retail sale of turtles.

In addition, the Committee reported Sen. Mary Jo White's Senate Bill 564, amending the Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization Act adding the regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh to the list of colleges and universities whose faculty members are eligible to receive grants through the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

The final two bills considered and reported by the Committee were Rep. Causer's House Bills 1867 and 1868, repealing laws from 1842 and 1850, respectively.

All five bills were then considered by the full Senate for the first of three considerations required before a vote can be taken.