Law and Justice Committee 04/01/08

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

SB 1226 (Logan) The legislation increases the discount that licensees receive when purchasing wine and spirits from a state store to 16%.  Currently licensees are given a 10% discount.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

HB 1044 (Cohen) The bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) by providing for the powers and duties of the Municipal Police Officer’s Training Commission and for mandatory training waiver requests.

Law and Justice Committee 10/03/07

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, October 3, 2007and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

SB 980 (Rafferty) The bill provides for a memorandum of understanding between the Commonwealth and the United States Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security concerning the enforcement of immigration and customs laws.

Reported Out as Amended

HB 606 (Waters) The bill amends the Liquor Code by requiring managers to undergo Responsible Alcohol Management Training.

HB 825 (Walko) The bill amends Title 22 (Detective and Private Police) by establishing the State Board of Private Investigators, Security Professionals and Fugitive Recovery Agents in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs within the Pennsylvania Department of State.

HB 1420 (Raymond) The bill amends the Liquor Code by eliminating all distinctions between in-state malt and brewed manufactures and out-of-state malt and brewed beverage manufactures. Sen. Logan offered an amendment, which would allow consumers to purchase a 6 pack and up at a beer distributor, or a 6 pack to an 18 pack in a restaurant or tavern.

Law and Justice Committee 06/06/07

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, June 6, 2007and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Amended

SB 722 (Logan) The bill amends the Liquor Code by allowing distributors to sell 12-packs of malt or brewed beverages and taverns to sell up to three six-packs of malt or brewed beverages per transaction.

HB 896 (Solobay) The bill amends the Liquor Code by allowing limited wineries to obtain a special permit for use at farmers markets as well as wine, food and cultural expositions.

Law and Justice Committee 05/22/07

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, May 22, 2007and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed

SB 737 (Rafferty) The bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) by repealing the sunset date of Act 141 of 2002, which permits certain underage individuals to assist in compliance checks.

Law and Justice Committee 03/28/07

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

Reported Out as Committed

SB 650  The legislation amends the Liquor Code by allowing the issuing of a special occasions permit to a bona fide sportsmen's club in existence for at least ten years conducting a national golf championship.

Reported Out as Amended

SB 318  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.  The amendment requires that Pennsylvania State Police Barracks be open to the public and manned by an officer or civilian personnel twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, except when prevented by an emergency.

Law and Justice Committee 10/16/06

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Monday, October 16, 2006 and unanimously reported out the following bill:

HB 446 (Petri) The bill provides authority to the Liquor Control Board to extend the period a time a license may be held in safekeeping and removes the requirement that municipalities must show and adverse affect on health, welfare, peace and morals when rejecting the application for a license.

Law and Justice Committee 06/20/06

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, and reported out the following bill:

As amended (unanimously):

SB 1207 (Rafferty) 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.

Law and Justice Committee 05/02/06

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

SB 1200 (Stack) The bill amends the Lethal Weapons Training Act by extending the certification for members of the United States Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard on Federal active duty and deployed overseas

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

HB 2376 (Raymond) The bill amends the Liquor Code by prohibiting alcohol without liquid machines and permits licensees to donate funds for the administration of R.A.M.P. training programs.

HB 2383 (Dontaucci) The bill amends the Liquor Code by requiring the board's Bureau of Alcohol Education to prepare a report on alcohol drinking and high-risk college alcohol drinking in the Commonwealth.

Law and Justice Committee 01/25/06

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, January 25, 2006, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

SB 620 (Rafferty) - The bill increases penalties for an adult who intentionally and knowingly furnishes alcohol to a minor.

HB 509 (Solobay) - The bill requires campus police at the 14 State universities to carry a firearm.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

SB 969 (Rafferty) - The bill requires mandatory responsible alcohol management program training for any licensee who is convicted of selling alcohol to a minor or a visibly intoxicated person.

Law and Justice Committee 06/08/05

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

Law and Justice Committee 04/19/05

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday April 19, 2005, and unanimously reported out the following bills:

Senate Bill 438 (Orie) This bill provides residency requirements for law enforcement officers.  The bill states that a municipality
cannot require its law enforcement officers to be residents of the municipality but a municipality can require its law enforcement
officers to be residents of this Commonwealth.  This bill shall not have any affect on existing collective bargaining agreements,
but will affect future agreements.

Senate Bill 462 (D. White) This bill allows tavern owners to buy beer with cash with the exception of those in a First Class or
Second Class A Counties.

Law and Justice Committee 11/9/04

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 and reported out the following bill:

As amended(8-2)

HB 2021 (Semmel) The bill amends the Liquor Code by allowing the sale of lottery tickets along with wine or
liquor-scented candles and the sale of wine in containers at stores. The legislation changes when state stores
and distributors can be opened(allowing Sunday sales). The bill lowers the age that minors can work at a Continuing
Care Retirement Community. A point system for liquor license control is also established in this bill. The bill prohibits
the use of pyrotechnics in buildings. Also, wineries can sell wine by the glass if they sell that wine by the bottle under
this bill. Finally, the bill allows the board to issue a license to a distillery that had been established before January 1, 1875.

Law and Justice Committee 10/6/04

On Wednesday 6, 2004 the committee met to consider one bill.

SB 1250 CONTI An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further 

providing for definitions, for general powers of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, for when sales may 

be made at Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, for malt and brewed 

beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for renewal of licenses, for temporary

provisions for licensees in armed service and for limited wineries. The bill was reported as committed, unanimously. 

Law and Justice Committee 9/29/04

On Wednesday, September 29, 2004 the committee met to consider one bill.

SB 1233 CONTI An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further
providing for general powers of the PennsylvaniaLiquor Control Board, for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores and for

unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages. The bill was reported as committed, unanimously.

Law and Justice Committee 6/29/04

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 and unanimously reported out the following bill as committed:

House Bill 2330 (DiGirolamo) - This bill provides for the duties of the Pennsylvania State Police regarding criminal background checks for persons participating in harness or horse racing.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 and unanimously reported out the nomination of Patrick J. Stapleton, III, Esq. as a member of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 and reported out the following bill as committed:

Senate Bill 799 (Conti) - This bill provides for the responsibilities of the Pennsylvania State Police regarding criminal background checks for persons participating in harness or horse racing.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Monday, November 24, 2003 and reported out the following bill as committed:

House Bill 857 (Blaum) - This bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to require school police officers to complete the municipal police education and training program. The bill passed on a 9-2 vote.

Law and Justice Committee 11/18/03

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on November 18, 2003 and unanimously reported out the following bills:

As committed:
Senate Bill 936 (O'Pake) - This bill establishes the Pennsylvania Amber Alert System, in which the Pennsylvania State Police would establish and maintain a system to assist in the recovery of abducted children through prompt notification to the general public and appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Senate Bill 965 (Conti) - This bill is an omnibus amendment to the Liquor Code providing for definitions, Liquor Store sales, authority to issue liquor licenses at hotels, restaurants and clubs, secondary service areas, malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, malt and brewed beverages retail licenses, prohibitions against the grant of licenses, renewal of licenses, temporary provisions for licensees in armed service, unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees, prohibitions against the granting of licenses and limited wineries.

As amended:
House Bill 1279 (O'Neill) - This bill amends the Liquor Code to abolish the statutory office of the Bureau of Wine within the Liquor Control Board and to further provide for sales on Saint Patrick's Day.

A4083 - This amendment adds a definition for "eligible entry" and adds provisions allowing the Board to buy, import or possess corkscrews, wine and liquor accessories, trade publications and wine glasses in addition to alcohol. Additionally, liquor stores would be required to receive receipts for the purchase of the above items.

A4122 - This amendment allows patrons to leave licensed restaurants with a properly resealed bottle of wine.

 

Law and Justice Committee 6/10/03

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

Senate Bill 145 (Dent) - The bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to further provide for municipal police education and training definitions, training, certification and reimbursement.

Senate Bill 696 (Thompson) - The bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to further provide for the powers and duties of the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission and repeals provisions relating to the prohibition on certain political activity.

Note: Senate Bill 290 (Orie) was removed from the agenda.

Law and Justice Committee 4/22/03

The Senate Law and Justice committee met on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 and unanimously reported out the following resolution:

Senate Resolution 9 (Orie) - The resolution recognizes the week of May 11 through 17, 2003, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2003, as "National Police Officers' Memorial Day" in Pennsylvania.

Law and Justice Committee 3/25/03

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 to consider the nomination of Tom Goldsmith to the Liquor Control Board. The nominee was unanimously voted out of committee with a favorable recommendation.

The committee also unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 532 (Conti) - This bill amends the Liquor Code to address concerns relating to the "proper supervision" ratio for chaperones for minors frequenting licensed premises.

A0245 (Tartaglione) - This amendment retains the one chaperone for every five minors provision for first-class cities (Philadelphia).

Law and Justice Committee 1/29/03

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 and reported out Senate Bill 80.

This bill amends the Public School Code with regard to the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) and the powers and duties of campus police departments. The bill passed unanimously.

Law and Justice Committee 11/26/02

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 for purposes of nominating David Sanko to the Liquor Control Board. The nomination passed on a 7-4 party-line vote.

Law and Justice Committee 11/20/02

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, November 20 and reported out the following bill as amended:

HB 2574 (Donatucci) This bill amends the Liquor Code by providing for Sunday sales at Pennsylvania liquor stores. The bill also provides for a number of changes to the Code, including further regulations as they pertain to liquor licenses and licensees.

Law and Justice Committee 11/13/02

The Senate Law and Justice Committee met on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 and reported out the following bills:

  As committed:

SB 1539 (Orie)  This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Officer Residency Act.  The act prohibits municipalities from requiring its law enforcement officers to be residents of the municipality.  The bill passed on a 10-1 vote.

  As amended:

SB 1365 (Conti)  This bill amends the Liquor Code by adding definitions, amending the special occasion permit section, permitting state liquor stores to sell corkscrews and wine sleeves and makes various technical changes.  The bill passed unanimously. 

Amendment 5340 to SB 1365  Allows limited wineries to buy bottles from other Pennsylvania limited wineries.  The amendment passed unanimously.

Amendment 5371 to SB 1365  Puts the two-year residency requirement for owning a
license back into the Code.  It also directs standards of appeal to Commonwealth Court
instead of Courts of Common Pleas, as is in current law.  The amendment passed 
unanimously.

Law and Justice Committee 6/3/02

The Senate Law & Justice Committee met on Monday June 3, 2002.

Senate Bill 1365 was pulled from the agenda.

The nomination of Jonathan H. Newman to the PA Liquor Control Board for another term was motioned by Senator Thompson and seconded by Senator Holl out of committee. The nomination was unanimously reported out of committee to the floor to be voted on by the full Senate.

Law and Justice Committee 12/12/01

The Senate Law & Justice Committee met today and unanimously reported out Senate Resolution 59, with technical amendment in Committee.