STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 10/06/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, October 06, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed (unanimously)

SB 1576 (Rhoades): This bill authorizes a land transfer in Borough of Pottsville, Schuylkill County.

HB 2483 (Creighton): This bill authorizes a pedestrian and vehicular access easement in Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 09/17/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Amended:

SB 291 (Ferlo): This bill calls for the convening of a limited constitutional convention by voter referendum.

SB 1236 (Piccola): This bill calls for the convening of a limited constitutional convention by voter referendum.

SB 1290 (Folmer): This bill calls for the convening of constitutional convention to address all sections of the Pennsylvania Constitution with the exception of Article I (Declaration of Rights).

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 06/26/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Thursday, June 26, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed:

SB 858 (Orie): This legislation prohibits public contracts for lobbying.

SB 1499 (Folmer): This legislation amends the fiscal code to provide for the use of state owned vehicles.

HB 1786 (Cutler): This legislation authorizes the conveyance of a water main and appurtenances in the Borough of Strasburg, Lancaster County.

Reported as Amended:

HB 2158 (Siproth): This legislation authorizes land conveyances in Blooming Grove Township, Pike County and Township of South Heidelberg, Berks County.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 06/17/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed:

SB 346 (Boscola): This legislation is a constitutional amendment that would create the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau. The bill was moved from committee 8-3.

SB 1015 (Folmer): This bill would require notification to the public when a Commonwealth agency pays for advertising. The bill was moved from committee unanimously.

HB 2496: (Helm): This legislation authorizes the Department of General Services to convey a 47-acre parcel of land to the Pennsylvania State Employee Credit Union (PSECU) in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. The bill was moved from committee unanimously.

Reported as Amended:

SB 1488 (Piccola): This legislation would prohibit lobbyists or principals from providing State Officials or employees with gifts, hospitality, lodging or travel expenses. The bill was moved from committee unanimously.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 06/03/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed (unanimously):

SB 1146: This legislation authorizes land conveyances in the Borough of Pottstown and the Township of West Norriton, Montgomery County.

SB 1392: This legislation authorizes a land conveyance in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

SB 1429: This legislation authorizes a land conveyance in the City of Allentown and Salisbury Township, Lehigh County.

Reported as Amended (unanimously):

SB 1227: This legislation authorizes a land conveyance in the Borough of Milford, Pike County.

Senator Piccola offered Amendment A06752, which added gaming restrictions to the lands conveyed. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 03/18/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed (unanimously):

SB 1103, PN 1427 (Fumo): This legislation authorizes the transfer of certain land in Philadelphia County to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.

SB 1308, PN 1832 (McIlhinney): This legislation authorizes the conveyance of two tracts of land to Solebury Township, Bucks County.

Reported as Amended (unanimously):

SB 1311, PN 1834 (Scarnati): This bill authorizes the conveyance of certain lands in the City of Warren, Warren County.

The State Government Committee also unanimously reported the nomination of Rudy N. Battle for the State Athletic Commission.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 03/10/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, March 10, 2008 and took the following action:

Executive Nominations (reported unanimously)

Harry G. Gamble, P.E., P.L.S., Board of Claims

Andrew Sislo, Board of Claims

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 02/12/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 and took as action as follows:

Reported as Amended (6-4)

SB 9, PN 1771 (Scarnati): This bill requires that individuals prove that they are legal residents of the United States before receiving public benefits.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 01/29/08

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as amended (unanimously)

SB 820, PN 954 (Pileggi): This bill creates a definition for “automatic dialing-announcing device” and prohibits their use on behalf of a candidate or party in calling those on a separate do-not-call list.

Reported as committed (unanimously)

HB 1691 PN 2225 (W. Keller): This bill holds the United States Army Corp of Engineers harmless from any damages that occur during the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 12/10/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, December 10, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

HB 1621, PN 2074 (M. O’Brien): This bill authorizes the lease of land with the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia to VTE Philadelphia, LP.

Senator Tartaglione offered Amendment A05042, which affirms the exclusive authority of the General Assembly to consider and specifically authorize the conveyance of any title, easement, right-of-way or other interest in Commonwealth-owned lands. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

Senator Tartaglione offered Amendment A04618 that expands the current lease conditions as enumerated in the bill to include a minimum $1 per square foot charge based upon the development plan for any real improvements added to the site. This fee is payable when such improvements become occupied. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

HB 1627, PN 2080 (M. O’Brien): This bill authorizes the lease of land with the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia to NCCB Associates, LP.

Senator Tartaglione offered Amendment A05043, which affirms the exclusive authority of the General Assembly to consider and specifically authorize the conveyance of any title, easement, right-of-way or other interest in Commonwealth-owned lands. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

Senator Tartaglione offered Amendment A04619 that expands the current lease conditions as enumerated in the bill to include a minimum $1 per square foot charge based upon the development plan for any real improvements added to the site. This fee is payable when such improvements become occupied. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 11/20/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported as amended (unanimous):

SB 428, PN 479 (Wonderling): This bill would amend Title 45 and allow for community paper of mass dissemination to be used for legal advertising.

On Wednesday, November 14, 2007 Senator Piccola offered Amendment A04118, which replaced the phrase “local community boundaries” with “a political subdivision” in the definition of ‘community paper of mass dissemination’.

House Bills 1621 and 1627 will be considered at a later date.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 11/14/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 and took the following action:

Reported as committed:

SB 776 PN 873 (Wondering): This bill allows for a county board of elections to be notified of the death of residents for the purpose of updating voter registration records.

SB 1122 PN 1503 (Piccola): This bill amends the Administrative Code to prohibit the furloughing of commonwealth employees during a budget impasse.

HB 419 PN 1269 (Clymer): This bill would require that all flags purchased by government agencies be manufactured in the United States.

Tabled as amended:

SB 428 PN 479 (Wonderling): This bill would amend Title 45 and allow for community newspapers to be used for legal advertising.

A hearing will be held on SB 428 next week and it will be brought up for consideration at that time.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 10/29/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, October 29, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

SB 1, PN 772 (Pileggi): This bill makes significant changes to the Act of June 21, 1957, referred to as the Right-to-Know Law. Senator Corman offered Amendment A03767, was an omnibus amendment and replaced the exiting language in its entirety.

Senator Piccola offered Amendments A03799, A03800, A03925 and A03940. Each of these amendments was tabled by a vote of 8-2. Senator Piccola withdrew Amendments A03955 and A03954.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 10/02/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 and took the following action:

Reported as Committed

SB 920, PN 1145 (Rafferty): This bill adds to the list of Executive Appointments that need Senate confirmation.

HB 33 PN 1418 (George): This legislation authorizes the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to lease to Pine Township, Clearfield County a certain tract of land.

Reported as Amended

SB 903, PN 1434 (Orie): This legislation adds a chapter to Title 62 that deals with legal, bond or management consulting contracts. Amendment A03400 (A. Williams) changed the amount from $5,000 to $25,000.

SB 986, PN 1435: (Eichelberger): This legislation would ban bonuses provided to Commonwealth employees that are awarded outside of standard payroll procedures. Amendment A0 3368 (Piccola) changed definitions, created a penalty for the individual who violated the provision and changed the effective date from 60 days to 30 days.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 07/10/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday July 10, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported as Committed (unanimously)

SB 917, PN 1106 (Wozniak): This legislation authorizes the conveyance of certain lands in Cambria Township, Cambria County to CDM Ebensburg, LLC.

SB 989, PN 1207 (Piccola): This bill authorizes a land conveyance to the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

HB 1656, PN 2284 (Moyer): This legislation authorizes the conveyance of lands in Skippack Township, Montgomery County in exchange for lands in Evansburg State Park as well as the sale of one acre of land in Winslow Township, Jefferson County to Jefferson County.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 06/19/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported out as committed (unanimously)

SB 916, PN 1105 (Fumo): This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to sell the Philadelphia State Office Building.

SB 962, PN 1156 (Fontana): This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to sell the Pittsburgh State Office Building.

Secretary James Creedon of the Department of General Services testified briefly and answered questions on the economic benefits of selling the two buildings.

Failed (4-7)

SR 32, PN 99 (Rafferty): This resolution directs the Senate of Pennsylvania to enter into a contract with the Fels Institute at the University of Pennsylvania to study the impact of reducing the size of the General Assembly.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 06/12/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 and took action as follows:

Reported out as committed (unanimously)

SB 648, PN 700 (D. White): This bill allows for the sale of the Ligonier Armory in Ligonier Borough, Westmoreland County.

SB 752, PN 828 (Erickson): This bill amends the act of June 25, 1982, which created the Independent Regulatory Review Commission by requiring empirical data be included with proposed regulations.

SB 810, PN 907 (Musto): This bill allows for the sale of land in the City of Pittston, Luzerne County to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston.

Amended and tabled (unanimously)

The State Government Committee also heard testimony from Secretary James Creedon (General Services) about riparian rights and how they will relate to casinos in Philadelphia.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 05/08/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

Senate Bill 69 pn 91 (O’Pake) The bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution requiring the Legislative Reapportionment Commission to provide for the redistricting of United States Congressional districts. Unanimous Vote

Senate Bill 248 pn 284 (Pippy) The bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to reduce the size of the General Assembly from 253 to 201 members. Senate districts would be reduced from 50 to 40 districts. House districts would be reduced from 203 to 161 districts. The bill also requires that upon the effective date, the Senate and House of Representatives shall reduce their budgets by 20% compared to the budgets of the prior year. Vote: 8-3

Senate Bill 468 pn 513 (Regola) The bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution providing that the General Assembly may not convene a voting session from a time period beginning on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November through November 30^th in any even-numbered year (sine die legislation session). Unanimous Vote

Senate Bill 822 pn 956 (Corman) The bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to change the succession process for the Lt. Governor. Unanimous Vote.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 05/02/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday May 2, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

SB 317 pn 352 (Rafferty) The bill amends the Election Code, increasing the late filing fee for each report or statement of expenditures and contributions to twenty dollars for each day or part of a day that a report is overdue for the first ten 10 days. An additional fee of fifty dollars is due for each additional day that a report is overdue after the initial ten-day period. Unanimous

SB 431 pn 167 (Punt) The legislation provides for a land conveyance in Adams County. Unanimous

Reported Out as Amended

Senate Bill 740 pn 809 (Corman) The bill authorizes the Department of General Services to grant and convey to Centre County certain tracts of land. Technical amendment. Unanimous

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 04/24/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

House Bill 85 pn 109 (K. Smith) The legislation provides for the authorization of a land conveyance in the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, to the Lackawanna Transit System Authority. In exchange for the transfer, the Authority will convey to the state 4.6 acres of land. Prior to the completion of the transfer, the Authority will construct a replacement parking lot for the Scranton Office Building on the land. Unanimous Vote

Senate Bill 467 pn 512 (Armstrong) Currently, a violation of the Sunshine Act is a summary offense and carries a fine not to exceed $100 plus costs of prosecution. This legislation increases the penalty to $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for a second offense and subsequent offenses plus the costs of prosecution. Unanimous Vote

Senate Bill 729 pn 797 (Pileggi) The bill would create the State Salary Information Act, requiring the State Treasurer to post on an official Internet website, salaries of the following: all Commonwealth officers and employees of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government. Vote: 10-1

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 03/28/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

Senate Resolution 41 pn 149 (Wonderling) The resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to investigate the Department of General Services strategic sourcing initiative for State and local government procurement and to examine the department’s development and implementation of strategic sourcing. Unanimous Vote.

Reported Out as Amended

Senate Bill 44 pn 112 (Piccola) The bill provides for the compensation of judges. Vote: 8-2 A00281 (A. Williams) Removed district attorney language from the bill. Amendment Vote: 10-3

Senate Bill 233 pn 270 (Kasunic) The bill provides for a land conveyance in Somerset County. Unanimous Vote. Technical Amendment: Unanimous Vote.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 02/13/07

The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 21, pn 29 (Dinniman) The legislation authorizes the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to enter into an agreement with Chester County to alter use restrictions and reversionary covenants on real estate in Newlin and West Bradford Townships.