We get it—session weeks are busy. That’s why we put together a list of the bills being discussed in committee and on the floor of the General Assembly that are worth devoting your precious time to tracking. From nuclear power to wedding barns, here are five bills to watch for the week of March 25.

Despite less visibly smog-filled air, Pittsburgh and areas that surround it continue to struggle with air quality. Aside making lists of worst places in the nation air quality-wise, a Christmas Eve Clairton Coke Works fire reminded residents and elect officials alike of the threat pollution poses to the most vulnerable in the city and in Allegheny County.

This week U.S. Steel announced that it had completed its repairs, but worries linger. After a post-agenda on air quality called by Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor (D-District 5), it’s clear the county has a long way to go where air quality is concerned.

State lawmakers have found common ground in the past year, tackling issues such as ethics reform, drug addiction and workforce development. Legislators on both sides of the aisle have expressed an interest in even more collaborative efforts, including those that continue to address the ongoing opioid crisis, as well as occupational licensure reform. 

In the past week, a variety of proposals have been introduced in the General Assembly, touching on everything from occupational licensure to criminal justice reform. In this week’s feature, we look at some of the newest proposals introduced in Harrisburg and what they could mean for Pennsylvania citizens.

Delaware County officials and advocates joined the sponsors of two bills introduced in Harrisburg aiming to reduce gun violence Friday. Extreme risk protection orders, or ERPOs, serve as ways families and others can have firearms removed from the possession of those considered a threat to themselves or others.

ERPO laws exist in 14 states currently, including four that border Pennsylvania. Across the state, there have been more concerted efforts for protective laws, notably following the horrific shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh last October.

Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) joined The PLS Reporter to talk about legislation that would fine legislators $100,000 who resign or are expelled from the legislature and then are convicted of a felony. 

Rabb discussed how expensive special elections are and how currently tax payer dollars are how they are being funded. He believes that if legislators must leave due to a conflict that results in a felony, they should be paying for the special election race, not the taxpayers.