Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HB2246: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.
Status: Passed one chamber, May 1, 2026
What the bill says
Amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.
From the introduced text, February 25, 2026:
Amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 3111(c) of Title 27 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read: § 3111. State water plan. * * * (c) Limitation of authority.--[Nothing] Except as provided under section 3118.1 (relating to covered data centers), nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize, expand or diminish the existing authority of the department, including the Environmental Quality Board, to regulate, control or require permits for the withdrawal or use of water. Section 2. Title 27 is amended by adding a section to read: § 3118.1. Covered data centers. (a) Department powers.--Subject to the provisions of section 501 of the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, in order to implement the provisions of this section, the department may: (1) require notification and reporting from a covered data center related to water use and water withdrawals; (2) require additional conditions for a permit issued under section 402 of The Clean Streams Law to a covered data center; (3) monitor water withdrawals by a covered data center; and (4) coordinate …
Sponsors
- Joseph Webster (D, 150) · primary sponsor
- Benjamin Waxman (D, 182)
- James Prokopiak (D, 140)
- Carol Hill-Evans (D, 95)
- Tarah Probst (D, 189)
- James Haddock (D, 118)
- Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
- Gregory Vitali (D, 166)
- Christina Sappey (D, 158)
- Danilo Burgos (D, 197)
- La'Tasha Mayes (D, 24)
- Lisa Borowski (D, 168)
Latest actions
- : Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, May 1, 2026
- : In the Senate
- : (Remarks see House Journal Page 348-349), April 27, 2026
- : Third consideration and final passage, April 27, 2026 (116-84)
- : Re-reported as committed, April 27, 2026
- : Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, April 15, 2026
- : Second consideration, April 15, 2026
- : Removed from table, April 14, 2026
- : Laid on the table, March 23, 2026
- : First consideration, March 23, 2026
Votes
- Third consideration and final passage, April 27, 2026 (116-84) (April 27, 2026): 116 yea, 84 nay, passed
- House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (April 27, 2026): 22 yea, 15 nay, passed
- House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection: Report Bill As Committed (March 23, 2026): 16 yea, 10 nay, passed
Subjects: ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, APPROPRIATIONS
Common questions
- What is HB2246?
- HB2246 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.
- What does HB2246 do?
- In its own words: Amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.
- What is the status of HB2246?
- Passed one chamber as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, May 1, 2026 (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2246?
- Joseph Webster (D, 150), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2246?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2246
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.