HARRISBURG -- The governor is expected to sign legislation that would severely restrict telemarketing businesses in Pennsylvania. House Bill 1469, approved 49-0 by the Senate this week, permits residential phone customers to place their name and number on a "do not call" list, and requires the telemarketing business to adhere to the list or risk a fine of up to $3,000. Further, telemarketers will be required, upon request, to give their name and phone number or address on whose behalf the call is being made. Telemarketers will no longer be permitted to block residential caller identification or utilize any other phone screening devices that cloak their number from consumers.

The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1252, which would make it a felony for breaching airport security or attempting to use a weapon to cause harm or destruction at an airport. The bill also toughens penalties for falsely impersonating airline employees. Finally, the bill makes it a felony to unlawfully carry explosives into aircraft, buses or other forms of public transportation. The bill now goes to the House

The Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 184, a temporary rule which provides that any amendment to the 2002-2003 Budget offered on the floor which proposes increased spending above the levels contained in the Budget as reported from the Appropriations Committee shall not be in order and may not be considered unless the amendment contains sufficient line-item reductions to the Budget so that the amendment does not result in a net increase in the total spending. A Democratic amendment to the resolution, which would have would have prohibited transfers from the Tobacco Fund to the General Fund, failed on a party-line vote. The amendment was a response to the governor's proposal to use the Tobacco Fund money to help balance the budget.

By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1029. The legislation would make drunk driving convictions in other states the same as an offense under Pennsylvania's DUI statute for sentencing purposes. The measure would remedy a 2001 Superior Court ruling that out-of-state drunk driving convictions cannot be considered as a prior offense for grading and sentencing purposes under Pennsylvania law.

The bill now goes to the House.

The Senate unanimously passed the following preferred appropriations bills:

Senate Bill 1355, authorizing the transfer of $4,466,000 from the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.

Senate Bill 1356, authorizing the transfer of $982,000 from the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Senate Bill 1356, authorizing the transfer of $55,435,000 from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry.

Senate Bill 1359, authorizing the transfer of $20,869,000 from the State Employees' Retirement Fund to the State Employees' Retirement Board.

Senate Bill 1360, authorizing the transfer of $42,054,000 from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board.

The bills have been referred to the House.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would establish an accreditation program for environmental laboratories under Senate Bill 1115. Passed unanimously, the bill authorizes DEP to establish and administer the program and to issue certificates of accreditation to laboratories that meet predetermined staffing, management, equipment and quality control procedures which ensure the facility generates valid and accurate test results. The bill awaits final action by the governor.

Legislation which requires lumber dealers in McKean County to mark logs and register the marking with the Prothonotary's office was approved unanimously by the Senate this week. House Bill 1584 awaits final approval by the governor.

The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 16, which the Senate adopted on June 20. The bill amends existing state law to allow municipalities to establish pension benefits for surviving spouses and children of slain or permanently injured police officers. The bill was referred back to the House.

The Senate unanimously concurred in a House amendment to Senate Bill 769, which the Senate adopted on Nov. 19. The bill amends the First Class Township Code to exclude any insurance benefits from being considered as pay, salary, or compensation for members of the civil service commission. The amendment provides for alternative membership on the commission in each township maintaining a police force or paid fire apparatus. The bill was referred back to the House.

The Senate voted 47-2 to approve Senate Bill 1156, which would amend existing state law to incorporate elk and red deer raised and maintained inside fences within the definition for livestock. The bill was sent to the House for concurrence.

The Senate voted 47-2 to approve Senate Bill 1157, which would amend existing state law to incorporate elk and red deer raised and maintained inside fences within the definition for agricultural animal. The bill was sent to the House for concurrence.

The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1536, which would amend the Borough Code to enable a Shade Tree Commission's composition to be expanded, by ordinance, to five council-appointed members with staggered terms. Current law allows a three-person board. When a five-member panel is created, one term would expire every year. The bill has been referred back to the House.