2025-2026 Pennsylvania Legislative Session

Updated December 17, 2025

As Pennsylvania enters the second year of its two-year legislative session, several exciting developments are shaping our work and the Commonwealth’s leadership in conservation:

• A New Chesapeake Bay Agreement: All Bay jurisdictions have signed a landmark agreement charting a renewed path to restore the Bay and its watershed to health. Pennsylvania played a pivotal role in crafting this agreement and will remain a key partner in its implementation.
• Governor Josh Shapiro to Chair the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council: Governor Shapiro is poised to assume the chairmanship of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Executive Council. This leadership position places Pennsylvania at the forefront of efforts to reinvigorate the mission to save the Bay.
• Continued Investment in Clean Streams: The October budget sustained a $50 million investment in the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Fund, including $35.75 million dedicated to the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). These resources are critical to improving water quality and supporting farmers statewide.

Unfortunately, with the passage of the most recent state budget, Pennsylvania has officially abandoned participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—an important multi-state program that reduces carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. This is a major reversal that impacts climate policy that raises significant legal, public health and wellbeing, ecological concerns.

Our Priorities for Year Two

Looking ahead to the second year of this legislative session, our work continues to center on the following core priorities:

Supporting Farmers and Communities for Resilient Watersheds

The Clean Streams Fund—and its statewide cost-share program, ACAP—remains essential to restoring Pennsylvania’s rivers, lakes, and streams. ACAP helps more than 50,000 family farmers implement proven conservation practices such as stream fencing to keep livestock out of waterways, forested buffers, and cover crops. These practices reduce pollution and strengthen soil health.

Ensuring Resource Agencies Have the Tools to Succeed

State agencies are on the front lines of protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources. After years of staff reductions and outdated technology, recent budgets have reinvested in the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture. Continued support is vital to equip these agencies with the people, tools, and technology needed to meet today’s environmental challenges.

Advancing Legislation that Protects Public Health and the Environment

More than 4,000 bills were introduced last session, with only about 5 percent becoming law. We are actively supporting legislation to:

• reduce road salt pollution threatening freshwater and drinking water supplies;
• phase out toxic coal tar-based asphalt sealants; and
• address food processing residuals applied to farm fields.

We are also monitoring bills related to stream debris removal, PFAS in biosolids, and emerging issues such as data centers and utility-scale solar farms. Our team is ready to act to ensure these developments align with Pennsylvania’s environmental and public health priorities.

Why It Matters

Pennsylvania’s leadership and investments today will shape the health of our waters, communities, and economy for generations. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, more resilient future.