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The Senate this week unanimously approved House Bill 1733, which would amend Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) and Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

The amendments would re-enact enabling legislation for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority crafted in response to the recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision overturning Act 230 of 2002 (Senate Bill 1100 of 2003).

The bill repeals Title 53, Chapter 59, and adds a new chapter to Title 64, that would permit the continued operation of the Convention Center Authority. Additionally, the bill would modernize the financial and bond management powers of the Authority and would change the procedures for board member appointments and transitions, as well as define the terms of labor provisions, performance audits and performance reports.

The measure also would establish an Assistance Fund for future revenues or grants that the Convention Center might receive and would maximize competition by allowing the Authority to break up certain single-bid construction projects into several smaller projects at a lower cost.

The House unanimously concurred in Senate amendments, and the bill has been sent to the Governor.

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By a party line vote of 29-21, the Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 279, which would give administrative control of Philadelphia’s parking enforcement and revenue disbursement to the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Democrats said the amended bill was nothing more than a partisan Republican power grab.

            The measure would also provide for special motorcycle plates for honorably discharged veterans, and toughen penalties against motorists who obscure digits on a license plate to prevent an automated red light enforcement system from deciphering the plate.

            The bill now goes to the Governor. 

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The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 748, which would allow state money to flow to local libraries. The bill sets a funding formula for libraries and allows them to apply for a waiver of certain regulations that were tied to funding, such as hours of operation and training requirements. The bill now goes to the Governor.

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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1012, which would place a question on the 2004 primary election ballot asking voters whether they favor the incurrence of $250 million of indebtedness for water and wastewater projects. The bill is now in the House.

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