SB 158 amends Pennsylvania’s Environmental Hearing Board Act to specify where certain challenges to state department decisions must be filed when those decisions are issued under the federal Natural Gas Act. The bill adds a jurisdictional limitation stating that, consistent with federal law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions, appeals, challenges, or petitions for review of department decisions made under 15 U.S.C. Chapter 15B.
In practical terms, the bill directs aggrieved parties to seek review of covered natural gas-related department decisions in the Third Circuit rather than through other forums. It does not create new environmental standards or permitting rules; instead, it clarifies the appellate path and aligns state law with the federal review structure for natural gas matters. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
The bill would amend the Environmental Hearing Board Act by adding a new jurisdictional subsection that limits review of certain department decisions involving natural gas to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. This would affect how regulated parties, project opponents, and other aggrieved persons challenge state department decisions tied to federal natural gas law, and it would reduce uncertainty about the proper forum for judicial review.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears procedural and jurisdiction-focused rather than policy-expansive, which often draws less public attention than substantive environmental or energy regulation. The absence of recorded votes or discussion prevents a stronger assessment of legislative sentiment.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is jurisdiction: whether challenges to department decisions under the federal Natural Gas Act should be funneled exclusively to the Third Circuit, and whether that limits access to other state or federal review mechanisms. Parties involved in natural gas development, environmental advocacy, and administrative appeals could differ on whether this clarification promotes efficiency and uniformity or restricts litigation options. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.
In subdivision and land development, providing for potentially impacted municipalities and further providing for approval of plats and for completion of improvements or guarantee thereof prerequisite to final plat approval; providing for developments of regional significance and impact; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for jurisdiction.
In post-trial matters, further providing for eligibility for relief, providing for postconviction review for veterans with service-connected mental health disability and further providing for jurisdiction and proceedings; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree.
In organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts; and, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.
In organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for problem-solving courts; and, in sentencing, further providing for modification or revocation of order of probation.