HARRISBURG – A bill from Luzerne County Rep. Brenda Pugh would target the so-called “rain tax.” Under the federal Clean Water Act and related interstate agreements governing the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, PA is obligated to reduce nutrient and sediment discharges from stormwater runoff. These requirements impose substantial compliance obligations on municipalities, often passing this “rain tax” directly to local property owners through stormwater fees. House Bill 2360 seeks to replace local, fee-based compliance models with a transparent, grant-only funding framework. The approach would leverage existing federal and state resources to support stormwater infrastructure, best management practices, and water-quality improvements without forcing municipalities to levy regressive local fees. The intent is to preserve environmental outcomes while ensuring that the compliance costs are taken off the backs of residents and are distributed fairly and responsibly across the Keystone State. The bill will be assigned to a state House committee for consideration.
REP. BRENDA PUGH