Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 7/03/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 7-3-10 and reported out the following:

SB 747             This bill creates a new act known as the Sale of Transportation Lands Act and repeals a provision of The Administrative Code.  The bill was reported unanimously.

SB 1042            This bill amends the Fiscal Code to further provide for the implementation language for the 2009-10 budget.  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.  The bill also creates a Board of Directors in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 7/01/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 7-1-10 and reported out the following:

SB 87               The bill allows community colleges, State-related or State-owned institutions to charge resident tuition rates to any active military personnel and their dependents who are taking college courses or receiving education services through the internet or other electronic means. The bill was reported 13-0.

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.  Sen. Pileggi offered A7875 which makes corruption of a minor a third degree felony when a sexual related offense is involved.  The amendment and bill were reported 11-2.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 6/14/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 6-14-10 and reported out the following:

SR 228             This Resolution would define and implement various Senate ethical rules and practices to be followed by employees and members of the Senate.  Sen. Pileggi offered A7633 that placed clarifying agreed to language in the resolution.  The amendment and resolution were reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 6/7/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 6-7-10 and reported out the following:

SB 904             The bill authorizes the Department of General Services to grant and convey to West Bradford  Township, certain lands located in West Bradford Township, Chester County.  The bill also conveys land in Waynesburg and the 39^th Ward of Philadelphia.  Sen. O’Pake offered A6889 that removes the Philadelphia language from the bill.  The bill and amendment were reported unanimously.

SB 987             The bill authorizes the Department of General Services to grant and convey to Washington County Authority, certain lands located in Cecil Township, Washington County.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 5/25/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 5-25-10 and reported out the following:

SB 260             This bill amends Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Crimes and Offenses) further providing for sexual abuse of children.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 5/24/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 5-24-10 and reported out the following:

SB 828             The bill amends Act 39 of 1945 (Public eating and Drinking Place Law) to allow non-profit groups to sell food that has been prepared in private homes which are not licensed or inspected by the department.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 5/04/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 5-4-10 and reported out the following:

SB 383             The legislation amends the Judicial Code (Title 42) to provide for the establishment of problem-solving courts with specialized jurisdiction in the Courts of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court of Philadelphia to the extent that funds are available. Examples of the areas of specialized jurisdiction that these courts may be established for include, but are not limited to, are drug courts, mental health courts and driving under the influence courts.  Sen. Orie offered an amendment that would strip the language the House placed in the bill and revert to the language that the Senate originally passed.  The amendment and bill passed unanimously.

HB 48               The bill amends the Liquor Code by further providing for the definitions of “eligible entity” and “public venue” and further providing for hotel licenses.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 4/20/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-20-10 and reported out the following:

SB 888             This bill would designate the bridges on Route 28 in the Boroughs of Etna and Sharpsburg, Allegheny County as the Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel Memorial Bridges.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 4/13/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-19-10 and reported out the following:

SB 81               The bill amends the Liquor Code by further defining eligible entity, providing for general powers of the board, for wine marketing, and for interlocking business prohibition. An amendment was offered with clarifying language.  The amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported out 13-1.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 4/13/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-13-10 and reported out the following:

SR 286             This resolution recognizes May 6, 2010 as a National Day of Prayer.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 4/12/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-12-10 and reported out the following:

SB 126             This bill amends Act 64 of 1972 entitled The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act providing for liquefied ammonia gas, precursors and chemicals; for methamphetamine production; for operating a methamphetamine laboratory and illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste; and for environmental costs.  The bill was reported unanimously.

HB 485             This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses) providing for the offense of illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste and for operating a methamphetamine laboratory.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 3/23/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 3-23-10 and reported out the following:

SR 277             This resolution provides for a temporary rule of the Senate, which would rule out of order certain amendments to General Appropriation Bills for the fiscal year 2010-2011.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 3/15/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 3-15-10 and reported out the following:

SB 237             This bill seeks to regulate and provide for the consumer protection on the sale of annuities.  This legislation will ensure that those who are selling annuities in Pennsylvania are making sure that the product is right or “suitable” for the individual based upon their: financial status, tax status, and investment objectives.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 2/8/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 2-8-10 and reported out the following:

SR 231             This resolution designates the month of March 2010 as Youth Art Month in Pennsylvania.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 2/2/10

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 2-2-10 and reported out the following:

SB 125             This bill amends Act 64 of 1972 known as the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act further providing for the possession and manufacture of methamphetamine.  The bills reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 12/16/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 12-16-09 and reported out the following:

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.  The bill was reported unanimously.

SB 711             This bill would authorize table games at PA casinos.  Sen. Pileggi offered an omnibus amendment that includes regulating, licensing, taxation and fees for the new enterprise.  The amendment was adopted 10-6.  Sen. Alloway offered an amendment that would prohibit license establishments within 12 miles of a national park.  Another amendment was offered that would add a third class 3 license.  These last two amendments were defeated by voice votes.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 12/15/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 12-15-09 and reported out the following:

SB 47               The legislation amends the Public Welfare Code by providing for the requirements for County Board of Assistance nominees, requiring the Department of Public Welfare to determine whether public assistance applicants are veterans as well as modifies state law when it comes to unpaid medical expenses for Medical Assistance nursing home care.  The bill also prohibits individuals from using public assistance benefits to purchase liquor or alcohol and what a caseworker must do when they suspect fraud.

SB 1039            This bill is the non-preferred appropriation bill for the Univ. of PA Veterinary School for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The bills were reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 10/09/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 10-9-09 and reported out the following:

SB 369             The bill amends the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act by requiring a death certificate be submitted within 90 days upon the death of a law enforcement officer, ambulance service or rescue squad member, firefighter, certified hazardous material response team or National Guard member.  The bill further states who will receive $100,000 upon the receipt of a death certificate of particular individuals as well as an amount equal to the individual’s monthly salary.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 10/05/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 10-5-09 and reported out the following:

HB 1531            This bill was amended to include the changes to the  Tax Code for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.  Sen. Pileggi offered A4327.  It further provides for  tax credits, including the EITC, increases the cigarette, various business taxes and tax amnesty.  The amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported out 13-3.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 09/17/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 9-17-09 and reported out the following:

HB 1828            This bill amends the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act (Act of December 18, 1984, P.L.1005, No.205) by:

1.     Provides temporary actuarial relief for municipal pension systems to decrease mandatory pension payments;

2.     Providing for the takeover of Pittsburgh’s pension system in two years if its pension system is not above a 50% funding ratio;

3.     Providing Philadelphia with short term relief from the City’s pension payment obligations, and providing for a 1% sales tax to be dedicated to pension payments, along with criteria for new pension plans;

4.     Providing for statutory guidelines for standards for municipal pension systems;

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 08/19/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 8-19-09 and reported out the following:

SB 921             This bill amends the Board of Vehicles Act by changing the timeframe for a manufacturer’s consideration of a dealer’s request to relocate or dual a franchise and changes a manufacturer’s denial standard. The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 08/10/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 8-10-09 and reported out the following:

SB 240             The bill amends Title 35 and Title 75 by updating the Emergency Medical Services System Act.  The Act defines the objectives of the Emergency Medical Services System, what the Department of Health is authorized to do, duties of the regional EMS council and requires the preparation of a Statewide EMS System Plan. 

SB 563             This bill would amend the Mechanics’ Lien Law of 1963 to make a change to the residential construction exclusion.

SB 862             The bill authorizes the Department of General Services to authorize certain lands in Centre County to be conveyed.

All the of the bill were reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 07/16/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 7-16-09 and reported out the following:

SB 568             The bill authorizes the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey to East Vincent Township, certain lands situated in East Vincent Township, Chester County.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 07/06/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 7-1-09 and reported out the following:

SB 33               The legislation would prohibit a county board of elections from establishing, abolishing, dividing, consolidating or altering in any manner an election district during the period from July 15, 2009, through November 30, 2012 or through resolution of all judicial appeals to the 2012 Congressional Redistricting Plan, whichever occurs later.  The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 07/01/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 7-1-09 and reported out the following:

SB 195             The bill amends the Industrialized Housing Act by further defining “industrialized/commercial modular building” and “industrialized/commercial building module.”  The bill was reported without amendment.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 06/24/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 6-24-09 and reported out the following:

SB 731             This designates a road in Lehigh County as the Sgt. Ashley L. Moyer Memorial Road and a road in Northampton County as the Victor W. Anckaitis Memorial Highway.  The bill was reported unanimously.

SR 140             The resolution supports Taiwan as an economic partner and a meaningful participant in the World Health Organization.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 06/02/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 6-2-09 and reported out the following:

SB 89               The legislation amends the Health Care Cost Containment Act by establishing a payment data advisory group that will produce recommendations surrounding the collection of payment data.  The bill will also create a Health Care Cost Containment Council Act Review Committee which will study, review and recommend changes to the Act among other aspects as well as changes the sunset date to June 30, 2014.   The bill was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 05/04/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 5-4-09 and reported out the following:

SR 29               The Resolution commemorates the 61^st anniversary of the birth of the State of Israel. 

SR 78               The resolution recognizes May 7, 2009, as the “National Day of Prayer” in Pennsylvania and encouraging the celebration of religious freedom.  

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 04/28/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 4-28-09 and reported out the following:

SR 98               This resolution provides for a temporary rule of the Senate, which would rule out of order certain amendments to General Appropriation Bills for the fiscal year 2008-09.  The resolution was reported unanimously.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 02/09/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 2-09-09 and reported out the following:

SR 18               The resolution designates the month of March 2009 as “Youth Art Month” in Pennsylvania.  The resolution was reported 10-0.

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee 01/27/09

The Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee met 1-27-09 and reported out the following:

SR 5     This resolution designates February 2009 as Black History month in Pennsylvania.  The resolution was reported unanimously.