Side-Shot from Harrisburg - Fall 2026
On July 12th, Governor Shapiro signed the bipartisan 2026-2027 budget of $50.85 billion. This budget will leave Pennsylvania with approximately $8 billion in reserve as of July 1, 2027. It also gave more resources for our schools and students, expanded workforce development initiatives, provided nearly 400 more State Troopers, gave support for start-ups, expanded mental health services and more support for children and families. After the budget was passed, the House and Senate went on summer recess; both will return to Session on September 28th. Below are the tentative House and Senate session schedules:
House Session Schedule:
Sept. 28-30 Oct. 5-7, 19-21 Nov. 9-10
Senate Session Schedule:
Sept. 28-30 Oct. 5-7, 19-12 Nov. 17-18
During the summer recess, I attended many events and had key discussions regarding our agenda. With the House and Senate getting back to work in the near future, I will continue to have many discussions and attend more events. These discussions focus on promoting, opposing, and amending PSLS legislation issues, which are the following:
First, we are working on the State Plane Coordinate System Law (HB 513), which was introduced by Representative Eric DaVanzo on February 4th, 2025 and was referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee. On December 15th, 2025 it was voted out of committee by a vote of 25-1. On June 3, 2026 it was referred to the Senate State Government Committee. It hit the Senate floor on June 30, 2026 for first consideration, July 11, 2026 for second consideration and has been re-referred to Appropriations on July 11, 2026. Our goal is to get this signed into law prior to the end of this Legislative Session which is the end of November. This legislation will replace the current Pennsylvania Coordinate System Law, P.L. 1223, No. 161, Cl.76. An update of this law is necessary to provide users with a new framework of planar coordinates that are aligned to the new geometric reference frame (AKA horizontal datum) in development by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and to allow those users of the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) to update/modernize their data while maintaining compliance with applicable Federal guidelines. There is a plan in place by NGS to modernize the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), which is the official definition of positional parameters including latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, and orientation throughout the United States. The new datum is known as the North American Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 and the Final definition and acceptance is expected to occur in 2025.
Second, we are working on the Right-of-Entry. This legislation may be introduced by PSLS in the beginning of the 2026-2027 Legislative Session. This will grant surveyors and their subordinates the limited right-of-entry to the lands of others which are necessary to perform their work. This legislation will be similar to the West Virginia Law as referenced here: https://codes.findlaw.com/wv/chapter-61-crimes-and-their-punishment/wv-code-sect-61-3b-1/, with the following modifications: (E) Entry where no physical damage is done to property (1) in the performance of surveying to ascertain property boundaries, and (2) in the performance of necessary work of construction, maintenance and repair of a common property line fence, or buildings or appurtenances which are immediately adjacent to the property line and maintenance of which necessitates entry upon the adjoining owner's property.
Third, PSLS will be working on updating the Registration Law (Act of 1945). Once again, this may be introduced in the beginning of the 2026-2027 Legislative Session. This will be drafted with recommended revisions and explanations to the current NCEES Model Law.
Fourth, we will be supporting Senate Bill 399 (Statute of Repose), introduced by Senator Laughlin on March 6th, 2025 which amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidation Statutes, in limitation of time, further providing for construction projects. This will change the civil action or proceeding brought against any person lawfully performing or furnishing the design, planning, supervision or observation of construction, or construction of any private or public improvement to real property must be commenced within six years, not twelve years, after completion of construction of such improvement to recover damages for:
If an injury or wrongful death shall occur more that [ten] four and within [12] six years after completion of the improvement a civil action or proceeding within the scope may be commenced within the time otherwise limited, but not later than [14] eight years after completion of construction of such improvement.
PSLS will be supporting this legislation along with many other special interest groups. The key is getting both labor and trial lawyers on-board.
Fifth, we will be amending HB 873, which is an Act providing for an Erosion and Sediment control permit, for compliance, for annual report and for duties of DEP. This was introduced by Representative Zimmerman on March 11, 2025. This has been referred to the Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee.
Sixth, we will be opposing Licensure exemption (SB 215), which was introduced by Senator Lisa Baker, on February 3rd. This is the same piece of legislation, SB 1226, which she introduced near the end of the last legislative session. We were successful in preventing that Bill from coming out of the Committee. This legislation will provide a licensure exemption under the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law for employees, contractors and agents of public utilities, electric cooperatives and telecommunications companies. Utilities, electric co-ops, and telecommunications companies utilize both employees and contractors for field work including, but not limited to vegetation management, pole attachments, line construction and asset management. Under current law, utility and telecommunications company employees are already exempted. This legislation would extend the exemption to their contractors and agents and include the related industries of electric co-ops and cable and broadband service providers. This exemption is critical to the rapid and efficient deployment of much-needed broadband services to underserved areas of the Commonwealth.
With the amount of legislation that PSLS is attempting to get done and to accomplish our agenda, we must continue to donate to the Political Action Committee (PAC). This will enable us to discuss pending legislation affecting the profession and allow us to protect the interests of surveyors. I encourage everyone to consider donating to the PAC so that we can protect our profession!
Let’s not forget that the PAC is our voice!! Please visit our website to donate at www.psls.org.
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