Appropriations
Committee 07/02/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-2-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1318 This legislation establishes
the State Military College Legislative Appointment
Program. Under this program, each member of the General
Assembly would be permitted to establish a committee to
recommend a resident of the legislator’s district for
appointment to a State military college. The bill was
reported 24-2.
HB 254 This bill amends the Public Welfare Code
to provide for determining whether applicants are
veterans; further explaining medical assistance payments
to hospitals for institutional care prescribed by a
physician; and providing for the Statewide Quality Care
Assessment. The bill was reported 26-0.
HB 1800 This legislation would amend Title75(Vehicles)
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further
providing for vehicles exempt from registration, for
exemption of persons, entities and vehicles from fees
and for general requirements for other vehicles
transporting school children. Sen. Pileggi offered
A8413 that provides for automated red-light enforcement
systems in cities of the 1st class, 2nd
class, 2nd class A and 3rd class.
The amendment was adopted 24-2. Sen. Boscola offered
A8391 that provides for hauling permits for bulk oil,
non-hazardous liquid glue and waste tires. The
amendment was adopted26-0. Sen. Wozniak offered A8305
that reduces registration fees for vintage snowmobiles.
The amendment was adopted 26-0. The was reported 26-0.
HB 2289
House Bill 2289 provides for the Capital Budget and
Project Itemization Act of 2010-2011. Sen. Costa
offered A8373 that itemizes the capital projects
requested by the governor and delegates the construction
of a Nanotechnology Center to the Univ. of Pennsylvania.
The amendment was adopted 26-0. The bill was reported
25-1.
HB 2290 This bill amends the Capital
Facilities Debt Enabling Act increasing the
commonwealth’s general obligation borrowing authority
for Redevelopment Capital Projects. The bill was
reported 22-4.
HB 2493 HB 2493 contains numerous
technical amendments that address issues of omission,
conflict with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) requirements,
and deficiencies due to insufficient specificity. These
changes are necessary for PMRS (Pa Municipal Retirement
System) to remain a “tax qualified plan” and continue to
allow for member contributions to be eligible for tax
deferral. Sen. Pileggi offered A8416 that was
technical. The amendment and bill were reported 26-0.
Appropriations
Committee 07/01/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-1-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 699 The legislation creates the
Adult Protective Services Act. Under this act, adults
who lack the capacity to protect themselves and are at
imminent risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or
abandonment will have access to services necessary to
protect their health, safety and welfare. The bill was
reported unanimously.
SB 1305 This bill amends the Vehicle Code
to raise the weight limit exemptions for the regulation
of farm vehicles. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 1186 The legislation amends the
Administrative Code by making some department name
changes as well as establishing the Department of Drug
and Alcohol Programs. Sen. Corman offered A8323 that
reduces the composition of the PHEAA Board. The
amendment was agreed to and the bill was reported out
23-3.
HB 2246 This bill amends Title 75 as it
pertains to drivers who seriously injure or kill an
emergency responder worker. Further it permits
arguments as to the amount of damages when a motor
vehicle accident occurs. Sen. Baker offered A7788 that
would remove provisions related to the ability to argue
for economic and non-economic damages. The amendment
failed 9-17. Sen. Boscola offered A8371 that deals with
overweight and over size permits. The amendment was
reported unanimously. The bill was reported 18-8.
Appropriations
Committee 06/30/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-30-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 971 This bill amends the Public School
Code by adding a new section to address the requirements
for school districts that use district employees to
collect school district property taxes, setting forth
bonding requirements and adding a new section to address
the fair compensation for elected tax collectors. The
bill was reported 25-1.
SB 1327 The bill increases the fees charged
for river pilots operating out of the port of
Philadelphia. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 1340 This bill amends Title 61 (Prisons
and Parole) by adding a definition for corrections
managers and providing for salaries. The bill was
reported 25-1
HB 1251 This bill amends the Insurance
Company Law of 1921 to provide for an appeal on an
insurer’s determination that the benefit trigger is not
met, for prompt payment of clean claims, for mini
–Cobra small employer group health policies, for
investment and for applicability. The bill was reported
unanimously.
HB 1332 The bill adds two new sections to
Title 42, namely Section(s) 5950 and 5951, both of which
provide for confidential communications between law
enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders and
corrections officers and critical incident stress
management team members. Sen. Baker offered A6077 that
adds the definition of “Critical Incident Stress
management Network.” The amendment and bill were
reported unanimously.
HB 2279 House Bill 2279 is the General Fund
appropriations bill for FY 2010-11. Sen. Corman offered
A8277 that is the agreed to language for the FY 2010-11
budget. The bill was reported 25-1.
HB 2280 This measure appropriates $1,061,000
to the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) for its
utility-related operations. The Office is part of the
Department of Community and Economic Development. The
bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2281 House Bill 2281 appropriates funds
from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to
fund the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
in the Department of State. The bill also appropriates
funds for the State Board of Medicine, the State Board
of Osteopathic Medicine, the State Board of Podiatry and
the State Athletic Commission. The bill was reported
unanimously.
HB 2282 This bill appropriates $5.2 million
to the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) within the
office of the Attorney General for the operation of the
OCA for the 2011-2012 state fiscal year. The bill was
reported unanimously.
HB 2283 House
bill 2283 appropriates the Governor’s requested amount
to fund the administrative costs of the Public School
Retirement System (PSERS) for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The bill was reported unanimously.
HB
2284 House bill 2284 appropriates the
Governor’s requested amount to fund the administrative
costs of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS)
for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The bill was reported
unanimously.
HB 2285 This bill makes appropriations from
the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming
Fund and from the State Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania
Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue, the
Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General for
fiscal year 2010-11. Sen. Corman offered A8238 that
decreases amounts appropriated to the Gaming Control
Board and the PA State Police. The amendment and bill
were reported unanimously
HB 2286 House Bill 2286 provides for
appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation
Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and
Industry and the Department of Community and Economic
Development. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2287 This bill appropriates $56,003,000 in
state funds and $4,257,000 in federal funds to the
Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its operations for
fiscal year 2010/11, and appropriates $1,068,000 in
federal funds to the PUC for 2009/10 fiscal year. The
bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2292 – 2296 House Bills 2292 through 2296 make
appropriations for 2010/2011 to the Pennsylvania State
University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple
University, Lincoln University and the University of
Pennsylvania, including state funds and federal ARRA
funds. Sen. Corman offered A8267 to HB 2296 that makes
changes to the appropriation. The amendment and all
bills were reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/21/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-21-10 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 9 This bill amends the
Pennsylvania Conservation Corps Act to provide for the
extension of the program as well as for health and
supplemental benefits for crew leaders of the
Pennsylvania Conservation Corps. Sen. Corman offered
A7681 that removes the health and supplemental benefits
to crew leaders provisions from the bill. The amendment
was adopted along party lines 16-10 with Democrats
voting against. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 1609 This legislation amends the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code further
defining “traditional neighborhood developments” (TNDs)
and further providing for standards, designations,
guidelines, and ordinances applicable to TNDs. The
bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/14/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-14-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 929 The legislation authorizes
Pennsylvania colleges to implement policies and
guidelines to minimize the cost of textbooks and to
establish textbook rental pilot programs. Sen. Farnese
offered A7576 that makes technical changes to make
language in the bill consistent with federal language.
The bill and amendment were reported unanimously.
HB 687
The bill would amend the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act
to broaden the definition of “energy conservation
measure” contained in the act and to revise certain
contracting provisions for energy conservation
improvements, including increasing the maximum term on
such agreements. Sen. Corman offered A7638 that
provides that the contractual period for Guaranteed
Energy savings Contract shall not exceed 20 years. The
bill and amendment were reported unanimously.
HB 2279 House Bill 2279 is the
General Fund appropriations bill for FY 2010-11. This
bill appropriates a total of $25.57 billion for FY
2010-11 from the General Fund. It also includes
appropriations of $3.45 billion from various other state
funds for a total of $29.1 billion. The total of these
state funds reflects an increase of $1.07 billion over
FY 2009-10, or 3.81%. The bill was reported out of
committee unanimously with a negative recommendation.
HB 2280 This measure appropriates
$1,061,000 to the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA)
for its utility-related operations. The Office is part
of the Department of Community and Economic
Development. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2281 House Bill 2281 appropriates
funds from the Professional Licensure Augmentation
Account to fund the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs in the Department of State. The
bill also appropriates funds for the State Board of
Medicine, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, the
State Board of Podiatry and the State Athletic
Commission. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2282 This bill appropriates $5.2
million to the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA)
within the office of the Attorney General for the
operation of the OCA for the 2011-2012 state fiscal
year. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2283 House bill 2283 appropriates
the Governor’s requested amount to fund the
administrative costs of the Public School Retirement
System (PSERS) for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The bill
was reported unanimously.
HB 2284 House bill 2284 appropriates
the Governor’s requested amount to fund the
administrative costs of the State Employees Retirement
System (SERS) for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The bill was
reported unanimously.
HB 2285 This bill makes
appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts
within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming
Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the
Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and
the Attorney General for fiscal year 2010-11. The bill
was reported unanimously.
HB 2286 House Bill 2286 provides for
appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation
Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and
Industry and the Department of Community and Economic
Development. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2287 This bill appropriates
$56,003,000 in state funds and $4,257,000 in federal
funds to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its
operations for fiscal year 2010/11, and appropriates
$1,068,000 in federal funds to the PUC for 2009/10
fiscal year. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2289 House Bill 2289 provides for
the Capital Budget and Project Itemization Act of
2010-2011. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 2292- 2296 House Bills 2292 through 2296
make appropriations for 2010/2011 to the Pennsylvania
State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple
University, Lincoln University and the University of
Pennsylvania, including state funds and federal ARRA
funds. The bills are the non-preferred appropriations
for the universities. The totals are equal to the
amounts appropriated in 2009/10, with the exception of
The University of Pennsylvania which would add $500,000
for the University’s Center for Infectious Disease. The
bills were reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/07/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-7-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 104 This legislation creates a
statutory policy for the use of state owned vehicles.
In order to be eligible for long-term assignment of a
state owned vehicle, an employee must have a job that
requires at least 1,200 miles of travel per month. Sen.
Corman offered A7354 that requires each department and
state entity to maintain a registry of who is assigned a
state vehicle. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 460 The legislation would create
the Indoor Tanning Regulation Act in which a license to
operate a tanning device is required among other
aspects. Sen. Browne offered 5248 that provides that a
violation of the act is a misdemeanor. The amendment
and bill were reported unanimously.
SB 621 This bill would establish the
“REAL ID and Biometric and Economic Privacy Act”. It
would exempt Pennsylvania from having to comply with the
provisions of the Federal Real ID law. Sen. Corman
offered A4661 that is technical. The amendment and bill
were reported unanimously.
SB 900 Senate bill 900 provides more
aggressive methods for local governments to get owners
to fix abandoned or blighted properties. Sen. Argall
offered A7409 which is an omnibus amendment. The
amendment was reported 22-3 and the was reported
unanimously.
SB 1057 The State Board of Vehicle
Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons consists of 17
members and currently four members of the general public
with no connection to the vehicle business are on the
board. The bill removes one member of the general
public and adds a mobility vehicle dealer who has been
working in the business for five years. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 05/24/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 5-24-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1145 This bill amends Title 42
(Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes providing for the adoption of
guidelines for sentencing and for the adoption of risk
and needs assessment instrument by the Pennsylvania
Commission on Sentencing. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 1161 This bill adds a new Section
3705 to Title 61 related to procedures for prerelease
plans. If an inmate is within 18 months of completing
his minimum sentence when the inmate is committed to the
supervision of the department and the inmate has no
outstanding detainers, the inmate may be transferred to
and confined in a prerelease center regardless of the
length of time that the inmate has been under the
supervision of the department. While confined in the
prerelease center, the inmate may complete any
prescribed programming consistent with the inmate’s
prerelease plan. The bill was reported 25-1.
SB 1250 The bill would automatically
transfer 25% of the fines and penalties received by the
Clean Air Fund to the local government to provide for
environmental projects. Sen. Pileggi offered A6872 that
establishes criteria which must be met for the return of
25% of the fines and penalties collected. The amendment
and bill were reported unanimously.
SB 1275 This bill adds a subsection
to Section 6138 of Title 61 related to violations of the
terms of parole by providing alternative sanctions for
technical violators. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 47 The act requires the
Department of Health to establish a Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome Education and Prevention program to promote the
awareness and education relating to Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants,
focusing on the risk factors for newborns and infants
related to sleeping habits. Sen. Pippy offerd A6975
that states that a hospital, birthing center or health
care practitioner shall not be liable for the actions or
inactions of a parent. The amendment was adopted
unanimously and the bill was reported 25-1.
Appropriations
Committee 05/04/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 5-3-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 620
The legislation amends the Vital Statistics Law of 1953
by requiring an issuance of certificate of stillbirth
for any fetal death upon the request of a parent. The
bill was reported 26-0.
SB 928 This bill requires the State
Treasurer and the pension funds to divest from companies
doing business in Iran or with the Government of Sudan.
The bill was reported 22-4.
SB 1011 This bill amends the Public
School Code to create a new avenue for mid-career
professionals to join the
teaching ranks through the use of “residency” teaching
certificates. The residency teaching programs will
create a streamlined process for professionals with
expertise in key fields to earn a teaching certificate.
Sen. Costa offered A6744 that provides for clarifying
language. The amendment and bill were reported 26-0.
HB 1859 This bill Title 34 (Game) to
increase fines, imprisonment, license revocations, and
grading of offenses for serious game law violations.
The bill was reported 26-0.
Appropriations
Committee 04/19/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 4-19-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 288 This bill establishes the
State Board of Plumbing Contractors within the
Department of Labor and Industry and creates the
Plumbing Contractors Licensure Account in Treasury.
Sen. Corman offered A6098 that extends the period for
licensure from one year to 18 months. The amendment was
adopted and the bill was reported 25-1.
SB 507 The act would create a
nonprofit legal entity to be known as the Pennsylvania
High-Risk Health Insurance Pool together with the
Pennsylvania High-Risk Health Insurance Pool Fund
established in the State Treasury and a governing board
to be known as the State Comprehensive Health Insurance
Pool Board. Sen. Pileggi offered A6383 that clarifies
the funding shall be provided by the federal government
and removes the provision that alows the board to borrow
money. The amendment and bill were reported 26-0.
SB 1176 This bill changes the
authority to adjust the permit filing fee for a coal
mine reclamation plan from DEP to the Environmental
Quality Board. The bill was reported 26-0.
SB 1196 This bill changes the
authority to adjust the filing fees for a bituminous
coal mine operation from DEP to the Environmental
Quality Board. The bill was reported 26-0.
SB 1197 This bill changes the
authority to adjust the filing fees for the work
involved to issue a permit for a coal refuse disposal
site from DEP to the Environmental Quality Board. The
bill was reported 26-0.
HB 961
The bill reauthorizes the state recycling fee that is
currently slated to sunset at the end of 2012 until
2015. Sen. White offered A6264 that further extends the
sunset until 2020 and transfers funds from the Recycling
Fund to the Used Tire Pile Remediation Restricted
account. The amendment and bill were reported 26-0.
HB 1041 This bill will provide for
drug therapy management in a setting other than an
institutional setting. A licensed pharmacist will be
permitted to enter into a written collaborative
agreement with a licensed physician to perform the
management of drug therapy. Sen. Corman offered A6298
which is technical. The amendment and bill were
reported 26-0.
Appropriations
Committee 04/12/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 4-12-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 629 This bill amends the Public
School Code to add school social workers to the term
“professional employe.” Sen. Corman offered A6294 that
provides for the certification of social workers and the
development of a certification by the Dept.
SB 918 This bill codifies the county
assessment laws into a new chapter (88) in Title 53 of
the consolidated statutes. Counties of the first and
second class are not included in this codification.
SB 1026 The bill provides that the
Game Commission shall transfer one bull elk tag annually
to a newly created “Elk Tag Conservation Advisory
Committee”, which may contract with a wildlife
conservation organization to implement and conduct an
auction of the tag. Sen. Costa offered A6274 which is
technical.
SB 1155 The bill would require
counties to purchase indemnifying insurance for their
employees who handle or receive tax revenue or fees.
SB 1186 This bill
adds Washington Crossing National Cemetery as a cemetery
in which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
(DMVA) has the power to arrange for burial details
(honor guard) for veteran soldiers who are to be
interred there. Se. Corman offered A5901 which changes
the effective date.
HB 975
This bill amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and
Geologist Registration Law, it would specify the value
for each method of earning continuing education credits
and allows for credits to be earned if relevant to
professional practice.
All bills and amendments were reported from committee
unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 03/15/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 3-22-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 5 The bill establishes the
Community-Based Health Care Program (CHC) Act, which
creates the Community-Based Health Care program in the
Department of Health to provide grants to
Community-Based Health Care Clinics. Sen. Corman offered
A6070 that eliminates the funding mechanism in the
bill. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 1059 This bill amends the First
Class Township Code to limit the length of time for a
contract between the commissioners and a township
manager to correspond to the term of the commissioners.
The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 1060 This bill amends the 2nd
Class Township Code to limit the length of time for a
contract between the board of supervisors and a town
manager to correspond to the frequency of municipal
elections. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 1061 This bill amends the Township
Code to limit the length of time for a contract between
the town council and a town manager to correspond to the
frequency of municipal elections. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 1062 This bill amends the Borough
Code to limit the length of time for a contract between
the borough council and a borough manager to correspond
to the frequency of municipal elections. The bill was
reported unanimously.
SB 1063 This bill amends the 3rd
Class City Code to create the office of city
administrator that will be filled by city council and to
limit the length of time for a contract between the
council and a city administrator to correspond to the
frequency of municipal elections. The bill was reported
unanimously.
HB 67 This bill amends the Vehicle
Code by placing certain restrictions on junior drivers.
Sen. Gordner offered A6065 that further restricts junior
licesnses by allowing different passengers in different
time frames. The amendment was adopted 16-10 and the
bill was reported 23-3.
Appropriations
Committee 03/15/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 3-15-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 85 This bill requires that DEP
provide an independent counsel for the members of the
environmental quality board when they are carrying out
their duties including the review of rulemaking
petitions and the drafting and development of amendments
to proposed and final rulemaking. Sen. Costa offered
A292 that was technical. The amendment and bill were
reported unanimously.
SB 109
This bill requires all advertising that is paid for
with tax dollars specifically list that fact on the
advertisement. Sen. Corman offered A5749 that was
technical. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 174 This legislation amends the
Workforce Development Act by establishing the
Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers within the
Department of Labor and Industry to develop strategies
to address the State’s short-term and long-term health
care work force challenges. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 351 The bill amends Title 15
(Associations Code) and Title 54 (Names) to complete the
codification of the Nonprofit Corporation Law and to
revise laws relating to limited liability partnerships
and limited liability companies. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 1074 This bill amends Title 61
(Penal and Correctional Institutions) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to prohibit the
restraint of pregnant women experiencing any
pregnancy-related medical symptoms unless certain
circumstances are present. It also provides guidelines
for recording incidents where restraints are necessary.
Sen. Costa offered A5985 that was technical. The
amendment and bill were reported unanimously.
SB 1200 This legislation would
require Pennsylvania to participate in the Interstate
Wildlife Violator Compact, which is a multi-state
agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting,
fishing, and trapping licenses in member states. The
bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 03/08/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 3-8-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 87 - This bill allows community colleges,
State-related or State-owned institutions to charge
resident tuition rates to any military personnel, or
their dependents, assigned to active duty in
Pennsylvania, who are taking college courses or
receiving education services through the internet or
other electronic means. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 1044 - This act would regulate the manner in
which drugs dispensed for prisoners housed in a
correctional facility are to be handled with respect to
their return and re-dispensing by a vendor pharmacy so
that they may be used to fill other prescriptions for
other correctional facilities. The bill was reported
unanimously.
HB 526 This bill clarifies the existing statute
regarding when a debt is terminated and a refund of
credit life insurance or credit accident and health
insurance is due to the debtor. The bill was reported
unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 02/08/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 2-8-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 260 The bill adds language to
Section 6312 establishing the authority of both the
office of district attorney and Attorney General to
investigate and initiate criminal actions with respect
to violations involving the sexual abuse of children.
The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 766 This bill amends the Public
School Code to establish the Science Technology
Partnership Program. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 1077 The legislation amends the
Pennsylvania Construction Code by providing for the
requirements of log walls. Furthermore, it requires the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to undertake a
comprehensive review of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
and submit a report on its findings. Sen. Corman
offered A5599 that was technical. The amendment and
bill were reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 02/01/10
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 2-1-10 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 53 This bill makes omnibus
amendments to Title 20(Decedents, Estates and
Fiduciaries) and provides conforming amendments to Title
15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations). The
bill contains recommendations made by the Joint State
Government Commission Advisory Committee on Decedents’
Estate Laws. Sen. Greenleaf offered A3730 that
addresses the effect of divorce on the designation of a
beneficiary, the removal of a trustee for cause, the
duty of a trustee to respond to a request for
information from the Dept. of Public Welfare and a
limitation on certain claims. The amendment and bill
were reported unanimously.
SB 213 This bill establishes the
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for
Military Children Act. Sen. Corman offered A5585 that
is technical. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 432 This bill would establish the
Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act. The bill
authorizes a victim of sexual violence to petition the
court for relief requesting protection from a
defendant. A parent or guardian may file on behalf of
the victim. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 642 This bill amends the Sign
Language Interpreter and Transliterator State
Registration Act to provide for the registration of a
provisional sign language interpreter. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 12/15/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 12-15-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1418 The bill specifies the
maximum principal amount of additional debt to be
incurred during the 2009-2010 fiscal year for capital
projects itemized in a capital projects itemization
bill. The bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 10/19/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 10-19-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1418 The bill specifies the maximum
principal amount of additional debt to be incurred
during the 2009-2010 fiscal year for capital projects
itemized in a capital projects itemization bill. The
bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 10/09/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 10-9-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1088 This bill amends Title 4
(Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
related to the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, it
incorporates a number of legislative reform proposals
introduced in the Senate and initially adopted in the
body of Senate Bill 711 and further provides for a
declaration of exemption from Federal laws prohibiting
slot machines. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 1033 The legislation provides the
authorization licensed gaming entities to secure a table
games operators certificate to conduct table games at
licensed facilities in the Commonwealth. Act 71
authorized the creation of 14 licensed slot venues in
the Commonwealth. This legislation authorizes those
venues to conduct table games such as poker, blackjack,
roulette and other such games. It further provides for
the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control
Board and authorizes table games license fees, state
taxes and local share to host municipalities. The bill
was reported 14-12.
HB 1418 This bill provides for the
Capital Budget and Project Itemization Act of 2009-2010.
The was reported unanimously.
HB 1768 This bill amends the
recycling act to appropriate funds for tire remediation
and to re-authorize $2 recycling fee through 2020. The
bill was reported unanimously.
HB 1847 The bill would expand the
list of sites that would be favored by DEP to issue a
permit to create a waste coal disposal to include sites
adjacent to a current coal waste pile. Sen. M. White
offered A4301 that establishes acoal bed methane dispute
resolution process. The amendment and bill were
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 10/08/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 10-8-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1614 This bill amends the Fiscal
Code of 1929 to establish new limits for the maximum
amount of assets in the State Workers’ Insurance Fund
that can be invested in equities. It also provides that
the provisions stipulated in this bill for the
investment of monies in the fund will expire June 30,
2010. Sen. Pileggi offered A4497 that is the omnibus
Fiscal Code amendment. The amendment is essentially the
same as SB 1042 which passed a few days ago. The
amendment makes technical changes to the language as
well as changes to the Marcellus Shale language. The
bill and amendment were reported out 22-5.
Appropriations
Committee 10/05/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 10-5-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 922 This bill amends the Public
Welfare Code by providing for lifetime limit; further
defining "exempt hospital"; and further providing for
administration. Sen. Corman offered A4072 that provides
for the addition of Temple University hospital to the
hospital assessment program and eliminating the need for
Senate confirmation of members to the County Board of
Assistance. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 1085 Senate bill 1085 is another
version of a 2009-10 general appropriations act which
spends $23.731 billion of general fund monies. Sen.
Corman offered A4319 that will be the General
Appropriation Act for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The
amendment and bill were reported 21-5.
HB 1607 This bill consolidates
statutes relating to Constables into Title 44 (Law and
Justice) Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes and makes related repeals. Sen. Corman offered
A3983 that provides for fees and technical language.
The amendment and bill were reported 19-7.
Appropriations
Committee 10/02/09
The
Senate Appropriations Committee met on 10-2-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1036 -1040 These bills are the non-preferred
appropriations bills for the State Related Universities
and the Univ. of PA Veterinary School for the 2009-10
fiscal year. Sen. Corman offered an amendment for each
bill that reflects the state and federal ARRA
appropriation as well as technical changes based the
budget agreement. The amendments and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 1085 Senate bill 1085 is another
version of a 2009-10 general appropriations act which
spends $23.731 billion of general fund monies. The bill
was reported unanimously.
HB 1607 This bill consolidates
statutes relating to Constables into Title 44 (Law and
Justice) Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes and makes related repeals. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 09/24/09
The
Senate Appropriations Committee met on 9-24-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 212 This bill amends the Bingo
Law to increase prizes that can be given each day from
$4,000 to $8,000 and expands the information that must
be provided on a license application. Sen. Corman
offered A3878 that is an omnibus amendment that includes
training requirements for those who provide bingo games,
allows for electronic bingo devices and adds clarifying
language. The bill and amendment were reported 22-4.
SB 1093-1108 These bill are the non-prefferred
appropriation bills containing hospital funding totaling
$5.9 million. All bills but SB’s 1097-1099 were
reported 25-1. The three stipulated bills were reported
20-6.
HB 1531 This bill extends the sunset
date for the Military Family Relief Assistance Program.
Sen. Corman offered A3893 that further provides for the
Sales and Use Tax, PIT checkoffs, employer withholding
and moves the provisions of the EITC from the school
code to the tax reform code. The amendment was adopted
25-1 and the bill was reported 24-2.
Appropriations
Committee 09/23/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 9-23-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 211 This bill amends the Bingo
Law by increasing prize limits and changing some of the
rules of operation. Sen. Pileggi offered A3871 that
provide for training requirements for persons offering
small games of chance. The amendment was adopted 21-4.
The bill was reported 25-0.
HB 1531 This bill extends the sunset
date for the Military Family Relief Assistance Program.
The bill was reported 25-0.
Appropriations
Committee 09/09/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 9-9-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 122 This bill would
increase the amount of the credit per job created under
the job creation tax credit to $3,000 from its current
level of $1,000.
SB 639 This bill would provide a
monthly payment to the heirs of an emergency responder
killed in the line of duty equal to the responder’s
salary.
SB 952
This bill would allow personal income tax payers to pay
less in their estimated payments which would then
require a larger payment in April when they send in the
final returns.
SB 953 The bill provides for a
surviving spouse to file a joint personal income tax
(PIT) return in the year their spouse has died.
Currently they are required to file separate returns.
SB 1085 This bill is another version
of a 2009-10 general appropriations act which spends
$23.731 billion of general fund monies. The bill is
nearly identical to SB 850 which was the budget that was
sent to the Governor in August. One significant change
from SB 850 is that the amount slated for Veterans’
Homes is increased to the Governor’s revised amount of
$82.039 million. Federal funds are increased by $458
million to $22.342 billion.
The bills were reported from committee unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 08/26/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 8-26-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1828 This bill amends the
Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery
Act. It includes language that allows Philadelphia to
implement an additional 1% sales tax that can be used to
pay the city’s minimum municipal obligation. It also
provides for statutory guidelines for standards for
municipal pension systems. The bill was reported 24-2.
Appropriations
Committee 08/11/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 8-11-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1663 This bill makes
appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts
within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming
Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the
Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and
the Attorney General for fiscal year 2009-10. Sen.
Corman offered A3445 which is a 5% reduction in
operating costs as suggested by the Governor. The
amendment was adopted 16-9, with Democrats voting
against and the bill was reported 25-1.
Appropriations
Committee 08/10/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 8-10-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1419 This bill appropriates the
Governor’s requested amount to fund the administrative
costs of the Public School Retirement System (PSERS) for
the 2009-10 fiscal year.
HB 1420 This bill appropriates the
Governor’s requested amount to fund the administrative
costs of the State Employees Retirement System (SERS)
for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
HB 1421 This bill makes
appropriations from the Professional Licensure
Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue
accounts within the General Fund to the Department of
State for use by the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs in support of the professional
licensure boards assigned thereto.
HB 1422 This bill appropriates funds
from the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund to
the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I). It also
appropriates funds from a restricted account within the
Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund to the Office
of the Small Business Advocate under the Department of
Community and Economic Development (DCED).
HB 1423 This bill makes an
appropriation of $52.581 million from the Restricted
Revenue Account within the General Fund for the
operation and administration of the Pennsylvania Public
Utility Commission and its Commissioners.
HB 1424 This bill would appropriate
funds through the Office of Attorney General to the
Office of Consumer Advocate in the 2009-10 fiscal year.
HB 1425 This bill appropriates funds
from a restricted revenue account in the General Fund to
the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) within the
Department of Community and Economic Development.
These
bills were reported unanimously.
HB 1663 This bill makes
appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts
within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming
Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the
Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and
the Attorney General for fiscal year 2009-10. This bill
was reported 25-1.
Appropriations
Committee 07/28/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-28-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 168 This bill amends the Borough
Code to enable interested Pennsylvania boroughs to
participate in electric generation projects and power
supply arrangements. Sen. Brubaker offered A3132 that
clarifies the definition of non-profit membership
corporation and replaces the term municipality with
political subdivision. The amendment and bill were
reported 25-1.
SB 369 The bill amends the Emergency
and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act by
adding a paid firefighter, ambulance service member,
rescue squad member or law enforcement officer to those
individuals who surviving spouse, minor children or
surviving parents receive $100,000 as well as the
monthly salary of the individual once the Commonwealth
receives a death certificate. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 535 This legislation provides an
exemption from the standard licensing requirement for
those individuals participating in an adult mentored
hunting program. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 899 This legislation the
Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and provide
for tax credit limitations. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 1042 This bill amends the Fiscal
Code to read that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency shall provide semiannual reports of all grants
awarded from federal assistance or relief funds,
homeland security and defense funds, avian flu/pandemic
preparedness or other public health emergency funds to
the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and House of
Representatives. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 1770 This bill amends the
Unemployment Compensation Law by adding a temporary
triggering mechanism that would provide the state’s
current unemployment compensation an additional seven
weeks of extended benefits for eligible individuals.
The bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 07/20/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-20-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1036-SB 1040
These bills are the non-preferred appropriation bills
for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Included are the
state-related universities. The bills were reported
16-10 with Democratic members voting in the negative.
HB 1648 The bill would create the
Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice made up of 11
members to investigate and analyze the events practices,
processes and procedures of the juvenile justice system
in Luzerne County. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 1654 This bill conforms the
treatment of mortgage professionals to the recently
passed federal reform of the mortgage industry called
SAFE. The bill was reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 07/18/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-18-09 and
reported out the following bills:
HB 1416 This bill would provide from
the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive,
Legislative and Judicial Departments of the
Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for
the fiscal year July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, for
certain institutions and organizations, and for the
payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the
close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. Sen.
Pileggi made a motion to report the bill with a negative
recommendation. Sen. Costa made a motion to amend the
Pileggi motion and recommend that the bill be reported
with a neutral recommendation. The Costa motion failed
9-16. The Pileggi motion was agreed to 25-0.
Appropriations
Committee 07/14/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-14-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 1 Senate Bill 1 creates the
Legislative Fiscal Office Act which provides for a new
office to report on tax revenues, budget projections,
and executive department performance. Sen. Browne
offered A2787 that further provides for the duties of
the selection committee and provides that6 the
provisions relating to the committee shall be effective
11-30-2009. The amendment was adopted unanimously and
the bill was reported 15-9 with Democratic members
voting in the negative.
SB 107 This bill requires the
Treasurer to post the salaries of certain governmental
employees on the Internet and to update the information
each month. Sen. Pileggi offered A2788 that requires
data to be submitted to the Treasurer monthly and
requires quarterly updates of information by local
governments. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
SB 282 The bill amends Title 53 by
allowing municipal authorities to participate in
intergovernmental agreements with municipalities. The
bill was reported unanimously.
SB 284 This legislation would amend
the “Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code” (MPC) to
grant local officials the clear authority to amend an
intergovernmental cooperative agreement to extend the
time available to enact conforming ordinances required
to implement a multi-municipal comprehensive plan. Sen.
Corman offered A1056 that establishes a 5 year time
limit for the enactment of ordinances necessary to
implement a multi-municipal comprehensive plan. The
amendment and bill were reported unanimously.
SB 441 This bill would add
certified registered nurse practitioner as qualified
authorities to certify the physical and mental fitness
of an applicant for a teaching certificate. The bill
was reported unanimously.
SB 607 This bill amends the Rural
Pennsylvania Revitalization Act adding the University of
Pittsburgh to the list of colleges and universities
eligible for grants and raising the maximum grant
amount. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 693 This bill is designed to
amend Title 74 (Transportation) to provide for Public
Private Partnerships (P3s or PPP) as defined by the
federal government. The bill refers to Public Private
Partnerships as a contractual agreement(s) formed
between a public agency and private entity that allows
for greater private sector participation in the delivery
of transportation projects. There are critical needs in
Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure in order to
reduce congestion, increase capacity, improve safety and
enhance economic efficiency of transportation
facilities. The development of P3s will provide a tool
for alternative funding mechanisms and strategies to
address the needs of the public. The bill was reported
unanimously.
SB 896 The legislation amends Title
65 (Public Officers) by requiring the Department of
State to post on its internet website the filing of
registration and reporting forms within seven days once
they are received. The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 954 This bill permits the
Approved Private Schools and Chartered Schools for the
Deaf and Blind the authority to apply for emergency
permits. Currently, these schools are required by the
Department of Education to apply to their local school
district superintendents for these permits. This
oftentimes leads to delays in hiring for the Approved
Private Schools and Chartered Schools for the Deaf and
Blind. The bill was reported unanimously.
HB 372
The bill amends the Health Care Facilities Act by
requiring that the department initiate investigations of
complaints at a long-term nursing home within 24 hours
of receipt of the complaint if the complaint is a
priority and 48 hours if it is a general complaint. The
bill was reported unanimously.
HB 602
This bill amends the Dental Law to further expand the
functions of dental assistants under direct supervision
of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 07/08/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-8-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 917 The proposed legislation will
increase the County Records Committee membership from 15
to 16 members. There is no change in Committee duties
and responsibilities. The Governor has appointed a
clerk of orphan’s court as one of his four
appointments. This legislation would make that a
required appointment.
SB 925 This bill amends the Massage
Therapy Law (Act 118 of 2008) to further provide for
qualification for licensure.
HB 703
This bill amends the Landscape Architects Registration
Law (Act 24 of 1984) to further provide for application
for license, qualifications and experience.
All the bill were reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 07/01/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 7-1-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 711 This bill incorporates a
number of legislative reform proposals introduced in the
Senate that have been proposed to offer clarification
and to make changes to the Gaming Act in Pennsylvania.
The following components are included as part of the
Omnibus amendment represented by this bill. Sen.
Tomlinson offered A2346 that clarified immunity
language. The bill and amendment were reported
unanimously.
SB 973
The
bill amends the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act
to further provide for procedures for registration as a
contractor and for prohibited acts. Sen. Tomlinson
offered A2340 that is technical. The bill and amendment
were reported unanimously.
HB 262
This bill creates the “Prescribed Burning Practices
Act”. The purpose of the legislation is to encourage
the continued use of prescribed burning as a land
management tool. A “prescribed burn” is defined as the
planned and controlled application of fire under
specified environmental conditions and conducted in
accordance with a prescribed burn plan. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/29/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-29-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 628 The bill amends Title 42
(Judicial Code) to prohibit the imposition of the death
penalty on a person with mental retardation. The bill
was reported 26-0.
SB 949 This bill would establish the
Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice Act to review
and study recent issues experienced within the Luzerne
County juvenile justice system, to ascertain how the
system failed, to help restore public confidence in the
administration of justice and to prevent similar events
from occurring in the future. Sen. Corman offered A2258
that is technical. The amendment and bill were reported
26-0.
Appropriations
Committee 06/24/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-24-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 936 This bill conforms the
treatment of mortgage professionals to the recently
passed federal reform of the mortgage industry called
SAFE. Sen. Browne offered A2036 that reduces surety
bond mounts required for certain mortgage loan
originators. The amendment and bill were reported
unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/22/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-22-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 88 The bill provides that
a child who lives outside of
the Commonwealth as a result of one or both parents
being called or ordered to active military duty will
continue to be a resident of the school district that
was the child’s resident school district immediately
prior to the parent being stationed outside of
Pennsylvania, as long as the parent maintains the
Pennsylvania residence. This legislation affects
students attending Pennsylvania cyber charter schools.
The bill was reported unanimously.
SB 624 The bill states that public
school boards shall provide for the inclusion in
extracurricular activities and athletics for any student
who lives within the school district but attends a
private or non-public school. Students participating in
such activities shall be subject to the same rules and
regulations as a public school student. Sen. Gordner
offered A1692 that clarifies criteria for private school
students to qualify for public school extracurricular
activities and restricts school districts from
establishing requirements to exclude private school
students. The amendment and bill were reported 25-1.
SB 901 The bill would not require
small diesel refineries that use crude oil produced from
Pennsylvania wells to comply with the Biofuel
Development and In-state Production Incentive Act which
was passed last year. The bill
was reported unanimously.
HB 92 This bill amends Title 34
(Game) by capping the fee for the operation of the
computerized licensing system by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission. This legislation sets a $1.00 cap on the
transaction fee for each license and stamp that is
purchased using the new computerized sales system. That
transaction fee is paid to the vender of the system and
covers the actual cost per transaction, as set through
contractual negotiations. The cost to the license buyer
per transaction for the current contract agreement is 70
cents. Thebill was reported 24-2.
HB 718
The bill amends the Public Safety Emergency Telephone
Act by sunsetting the wireless E-911 surcharge fee to
June 30, 2014. It is currently set to expire on June
30, 2009. The bill was
reported unanimously.
Appropriations
Committee 06/10/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-10-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 281 The
bill prohibits the development of statewide graduation
requirements, including the expenditure of funds to do
so, prior to the General Assembly specifically granting
the authority to develop such requirement and
specifically appropriating funds for this purpose.
SB 893 Under Senate Bill 893,
state-aid to libraries will be distributed by dividing
the sum of the amount of funding that the library
received in fiscal year 2008-2009 by the total state-aid
subsidy for fiscal year 2008-2009, and then multiplying
the quotient by the total state-aid subsidy for
2009-2010. After the distribution of state-aid to
libraries under this section, any remaining unallocated
funds may be distributed at the discretion of the State
Librarian. Sen. Corman offered A1604 that is technical.
Both bills and the amendment were reported unanimouisly.
Appropriations
Committee 06/08/09
The Senate Appropriations Committee met on 6-8-09 and
reported out the following bills:
SB 301
Under current law, an
individual who within the past 24 months has been
deployed oversees as a member of the Pennsylvania
National Guard, Air Guard, Armed Forces or reserves for
a period of more than 180 days qualifies for a reduced
cost resident fishing license. This legislation would
amend Title 30 (Fish) to reduce the days deployed
service requirement necessary to qualify for a
one-dollar resident fishing license.
SB 302 Under current law, an
individual who within the past 24 months has been
deployed oversees as a member of the Pennsylvania
National Guard, Air Guard, Armed Forces or reserves for
a period of more than 180 days qualifies for a reduced
cost resident hunting license. This legislation would
reduce the amount of time spent deployed to 60 days in
order to qualify for the reduced cost license.
SB 572 The legislation amends the
Administrative Code by changing all references of “State
Police Force” to “Pennsylvania State Police” and changes
“men” to “enlisted members”. It also states that the
Pennsylvania State Police shall consist of a
Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and enlisted members.
All bills were reported unanimously.
