On Nov. 2, 2010, Chris Ross was elected to his eighth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  His legislative efforts have focused on protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources and making government more accessible and accountable. 

This session, he serves as Majority Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee and is a member of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. 

Ross serves on the Council of State Governments, National Executive Committee, Suggested State Legislation Committee and the Energy & Environment Task Force. Also, he serves on the Council of State Governments, Eastern Regional Executive Committee, Energy and Environment Committee.  In 2010 he was appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Local Government Advisory Committee.

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Ross sponsored and helped pass HB 708 (Act 108 of 2010).  Effective in January 2011, this act establishes a recycling program for computer equipment and televisions.  “The disposal of these electronic devices is potentially hazardous to the environment and while some manufacturers and communities have taken steps to address the disposal problem, there was no statewide solution until now,” said Ross.  “This legislation will make recycling e-waste much more convenient for residents and small businesses, while allowing manufacturers the opportunity to develop recycling systems that are cost effective.”

In his first term, Ross sponsored legislation which established the Self-Employment Assistance Act. He also proposed, and the House adopted, a resolution that called on the Local Government Commission to study ways to improve local law enforcement.  In October 1999, a report issued by the Commission made recommendations for reforming a number of statutes.  

In 2004, Ross spearheaded legislation that was signed into law creating the Alternative Energy Act.  The act mandates that 18 percent of energy sold by electric energy suppliers in Pennsylvania will be from alternative energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and cogeneration.   The Alternative Energy Act was designed to gradually adapt the new sources into the current electric infrastructure.  Also in 2004, Ross prime sponsored Act 33, which helps local municipalities cooperate more effectively with non-profit environmental groups to save open space. 

In an effort to assist municipalities in their efforts to preserve open space, Ross sponsored Act 154 of 2006, which amends Act 442 of 1967 to authorize the creation of municipal land trusts and establishes their powers and limitations.

Act 144 of 2006 - Thanks to this law, an important new diagnostic tool for early detection of kidney disease is in wider use. Act 144 requires testing laboratories to run an additional calculation known as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which gives warning of early kidney disease even before a patient experiences any symptoms.  This legislation, sponsored by Ross and supported by the National Kidney Foundation, could have significant implications for better treatment and more successful outcomes for those who suffer from kidney disease. 

Act 110 of 2008 - Ross proposed this law to further clarify duties of the County Recorder of Deeds Office concerning recording of deeds without any prior requirement of registration with the municipality. 

He served seven years as chairman of the London Grove Township’s Board of Supervisors.  Ross was also a former board member of the Upland School, where he chaired the school’s education committee and was chairman of the board of directors of the Fairville Early Learning Center (now known as Fairville Friends School).  In 2002, he was selected as a Henry Toll Fellows member.  He is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, MD.  

He is a past president of the board for the Philadelphia Theatre Company and is a member of the Brandywine Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, honorary member of Rotary Club of Kennett at Longwood, Brandywine Valley Association, Red Clay Valley Association and the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce.  

Before his election to the legislature, Ross was a business owner of Rox Industries, Inc.