Pennsylvania House Bill HB961

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/25
• Refer: 3/19/25

Caption

In dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for marking of dams.

Impact

The proposed legislation has significant implications for public safety and environmental management. By enforcing clearer marking requirements, the intent is to protect individuals engaged in boating, fishing, and swimming around these dams. Furthermore, the legislation establishes compliance deadlines and outlines penalties for non-compliance, which could include summary offenses varying by the degree of infraction. This particular aspect aims to enhance accountability among dam owners and operators.

Summary

House Bill 961, introduced in the 2025 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, concerns the marking of run-of-the-river dams under Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. This bill proposes amendments to the existing regulations on dam responsibilities, focusing on mandating that permit holders and owners of these dams ensure that areas above and below their dams, as well as adjacent banks, are adequately marked with signs and buoys to warn the public of potential hazards. The bill emphasizes the need for a current inventory of such dams and extends responsibilities to the Department of Environmental Protection in notifying owners about compliance requirements.

Contention

During discussions around HB 961, there were notable points of contention regarding the enforcement and implications of failure to comply with the new marking requirements. Critics raised concerns that the penalties could disproportionately affect smaller, possibly community-operated dams, which may lack the resources to meet new regulatory demands. Moreover, there is discussion around the potential for disputes over the classification of what constitutes a run-of-the-river dam, which could lead to appeals and extended legal interpretations that divert resources.

Voting_history

The bill is noted to have received unanimous support in the House Game and Fisheries Committee, with a vote tally of 26 yeas to 0 nays on November 18, 2025, indicating strong bipartisan backing for enhancing safety measures regarding dam operations in Pennsylvania.