Acting on Governor Ed Rendell’s “Growing Greener II” proposal to expand programs aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s environment, the Senate this week voted 46 to 1 in favor of House Bill 2.

The bill, known as the “Environmental Stewardship Watershed Protection Enhancement Authorization Act,” would authorize a referendum on the May 2005 primary ballot to determine whether the state should borrow up to $625 million for statewide environmental protection and restoration.

If approved by voters, the bond money would be used to preserve open spaces and farmlands, protect watersheds, reclaim abandoned mines, remediate acid mine drainage and initiate other environmental efforts. While the $625 million is less than the initial $800 million the governor had requested, it was substantially more than the $400 million that was proposed under the Republican “Green PA plan.”

Following House approval, the Governor signed the measure into law as Act 1 of 2005.

In other action:

·         The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 69, which would provide immunity for employers who provide information about current or former employee’s job performance to a third party. Under the bill, the immunity would not apply if the information were deliberately reckless, untruthful, misleading or in violation of a disclosure law or agreement. The bill now goes to the House

·         By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 256, which would amend Pennsylvania's "Son of Sam Law" that bans a person from profiting from the commission of a crime. Currently, the victim may only recover the profits from someone who planned or committed the crime. This measure would allow the victim to also recover money damages to cover their attorney’s fee. The bill now goes to the House.