This update is from State Representative Paul Schemel's Weekly Round Up Newsletter on October 11th.
This week the full House considered, for the first time, the two Food Processing Residual (FPR) bills that Rep. Friel, Rep. Gleim and I have been working on since last year. HB 2393 and HB 2594 passed the House on second consideration on Wednesday, clearing the way for a final vote on Oct. 21, which is when the House is next in session.
These two bills add to the regulatory requirements with which the agriculture industry must comply. I am nearly always opposed to adding government mandates and further empowering government regulators; however, because of the loose regulation of this specific activity, i.e., the open spreading of sometimes noxious residuals, this activity requires guardrails to protect the public from harm.
We have worked with stakeholders within the agriculture industry to “right size” these new regulations so that the impact on the industry is curtailed to those materials causing the most harm. I believe that we have struck the right balance. I am most grateful for the tireless work of Rep. Friel, who is a Democrat from Chester County, and Rep. Gleim, who is a Republican from Cumberland County. This legislation is a good example of legislators from different political parties and different parts of the state working together to find a workable remedy to a common problem.
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