Bill > HB961

This bill amends Pennsylvania's fish and dam safety regulations by updating requirements for marking run-of-the-river dams to improve public safety. The bill requires the state department to compile and maintain a current list of run-of-the-river dams and provide identifying information about these dams to the commission annually. Dam owners and permittees must now be notified in writing about marking requirements and must mark areas above and below their dams with signs and buoys warning the public of potential hazards within six months of notification. The bill also mandates that the department and commission publish dam location information on their websites within one year. The legislation introduces more specific penalties for non-compliance, including summary offenses and misdemeanors, with each 15-day period of non-compliance considered a separate violation. Additionally, the bill updates definitions of key terms like "owner" and "permittee" and clarifies what constitutes a run-of-the-river dam, focusing on dams that pose potential hydraulic risks to swimmers, boaters, and fishers. The changes aim to enhance public safety around dam structures by ensuring clear warning signage and more comprehensive dam information.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=961