HR 66 — A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, in consultation with taxonomists, biologists and other interested persons, to conduct a study and issue a report on wild native terrestrial invertebrate management.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

544 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION Session of No.

2714 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION Session of No.

WILLIAMS, MADDEN, HOWARD, PROBST,PROBST STEELE AND WEBSTER,STEELE, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 ASREFERRED REPORTEDTO FROM COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION, HOUSEFEBRUARY OF10, REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, DECEMBER 17, 2025 A RESOLUTION Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, in consultation with taxonomists, biologists and other interested persons, to conduct a study and issue a report on wild native terrestrial invertebrate management.

and WHEREAS, NATIVESection INVERTEBRATES27 ALSOof PLAYArticle AI CRITICALof ROLEthe INConstitution <--of AGRICULTURE,Pennsylvania, POLLINATINGthe CROPS,Environmental CONTROLLINGRights PESTSAmendment, ANDprovides REGULATINGthat SOIL"The HEALTH,people ANDhave INSECTa POLLINATIONright CONTRIBUTESto MOREclean THANair, $250pure MILLIONwater, INand ECONOMICto VALUEthe TOpreservation AGRICULTURALof PRODUCERSthe INnatural, THISscenic, COMMONWEALTH;historic and esthetic values of the environment.

AND WHEREAS, Section 27 of Article I of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Environmental Rights Amendment, provides that "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.

and 20250HR0066PN2714 - 2 - WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is responsible for maintaining lists of threatened and endangered species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic macroinvertebrates such as mayflies and stoneflies;

and WHEREAS, PGC and PFBC publish a collaborative Pennsylvania State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) every 10 years as a proactive 20250HR0066PN0544 - 2 - conservation effort to prevent Species of Greatest Conservation Need from requiring protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act;

and 20250HR0066PN2714 - 3 - WHEREAS, There are standardized methods for ranking species regarding their conservation status;

and WHEREAS, Agency budget requests to address resource adequacy 20250HR0066PN0544 - 3 - are addressed in Manual 110.01 (Budget Instructions);

(2) The assessment and review of other states' natural heritage programs regarding wild native terrestrial invertebrates, classification processes, levels of protection, permitting procedures and other regulatory 20250HR0066PN2714 - 4 - processes.

(3) The evaluation of the importance and value of <-- regulating these species related to biodiversity, human health, agriculture, medicinal research and development and economic impact.

(4) (3) The assessment of staffing, resources and <-- funding 20250HR0066PN0544 - 4 - recommended for jurisdictional authority of wild native terrestrial invertebrates based on other states' natural heritage programs in the northeastern United States;

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