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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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By a 49-0 vote, the Senate this week approved Senate Bill 778, the first piece of legislation in Governor Ed Rendell’s economic stimulus package. The bill creates the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) program, providing assistance to companies for the purpose of improving and encouraging research and development efforts. The legislation also is targeted to help technology commercialization resulting in employment growth and community revitalization. In addition, the measure creates KIZ partnerships comprised of institutions of higher education and a combination of private businesses, business support organizations, commercial lending institutions, venture capital companies and angel investor networks or foundations. The new law also expands the cap on the Machinery Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) from $500,000 to $5 million. House Bill 778 was approved by the House and enacted as Act 12 of 2004. * * * The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2006, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act. The act would provide for the creation of an intergovernmental authority to help Pittsburgh solve its fiscal problems. The authority will be comprised of a five-member board, with one member each appointed by the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Minority Leader and the House Minority Leader. Pittsburgh’s Budget Secretary and Director of Finance would serve as ex-officio members. Duties of the authority include negotiating intergovernmental cooperation agreements and making assessment reports on the city’s financial status. The authority is also be responsible for approving the city’s five-year financial plan, which would consist of a balanced projection of revenues and expenditures that eliminates any projected deficits and enhances the ability of the city to access credit markets. The Commonwealth has the ability to withhold funding from the city if it does not comply with the financial plan. The legislation was approved in the House and enacted as Act 11 of 2004. * * * The Senate approved House Bill 1785 by a party-line vote of 30-19. The bill extends state control through the Philadelphia Parking Authority over meters and tow trucks for another 10 years. This legislation dictates that the first $25 million in annual net revenue goes to the city. What is left over will go to the city’s school district. The legislation further provides for the city and the Parking Authority to resolve future problems through “Mutual Consent,” instead of rewriting state law. In opposing the bill, Democrats contended that parking enforcement belonged under the authority of the city rather than the state. The bill also adds Chapter 57-A, entitled Fluoridation of Public Water, which allows municipalities and public water authorities the option of removing fluoride or fluoridations systems from public water supplies if the public is notified 60 days prior to the action. A public hearing about this action should be held within 30 days of notifying the public. The Bill was signed into law as Act 9 of 2004.
* * * In other action:
-- The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2332, which would place a question on the 2004 primary election ballot asking voters whether they favor incurring $250 million of indebtedness for water and wastewater projects. The bill would provide funding for grants and loans for construction, expansion, and improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure (including water supply and sewage treatment systems). The bill was signed into law as Act 10 of 2004.
-- The Senate unanimously adopted House Bill 514, which would exempt from the definition of litter spent shotgun and rifle shell casings ejected during normal hunting activities. The bill now goes to the governor.
-- The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2004, which would raise the horsepower limit for motorized watercraft on Pymatuning Lake from 10 to 20. Watercraft with engines that exceed 20 horsepower may operate on the lake, but without using the engine. The bill also prohibits riding on water skis, surfboards, towed inflatable devices, or other similar devises. The measure was returned to the House.
-- The Senate approved House Bill 1654 by a 46-3 vote. The bill would add a $2 fee to construction or building permits. The fees would be deposited into the Municipal Code Official Training Account, which is within the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services. The fund would be used to educate and train Building Code officials through the Pennsylvania Construction Codes Academy. Following House approval, the measure is now in the governor’s hands.
-- The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 152, which would establish the “Uniform Trade Secrets Act” to provide civil penalties for the misappropriation of trade secrets. There is currently no statute that directly governs this issue. The bill is now in the Governor’s hands.
-- The Senate voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 1206, which would clarify the application of Act 166 of 2002. The bill includes new language stating that Act 166 applicability is for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002. Act 166 of 2002 is an amendment to a 1965 act empowering designated local governments and school districts to levy, assess and collect certain taxes subject to maximum limitations for general revenue purposes. The bill has been returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments.
-- The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 769, which would create the “Elderly Immunization Act” and provide influenza and pneumococcal disease vaccines for people 65 years of age or older. Under the bill, when an elderly person is admitted to a hospital for at least 24 hours, he or she would be offered the opportunity to receive a vaccine against the influenza virus and pneumococcal diseases before they are discharged. The program would be available during October, November and into December if the vaccines are still available. The bill now goes to the House.
-- The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 938, which would deter those who drive a commercial vehicle with only a standard driver’s license. The measure would amend Section 3742.1 of Title 75 by adding the additional requirement that a person not only be properly licensed but also have the proper endorsement for the vehicle being driven. By making this change, an individual could be prosecuted under this statute who has caused a deadly accident while driving a commercial vehicle without the proper training and licensing. The bill now goes to the House.
-- By a vote of 47-2, the Senate passed Senate Bill 815, which would change the way the state handles payments to insolvent insurance companies. Under the legislation, any deductibles held by the insurer and connected to an insurance policy go to claims under that policy, not to the estate of the insurer. The bill was drafted in response to the insolvency of Reliance Insurance Company, which faces an estimated $3 billion shortfall in assets versus policyholder claims. The bill has been sent to the House.
-- The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 969, which would change the name of the “Clairton-Glassport Bridge” in Allegheny County to the “Senator Edward P. Zemprelli Bridge.” Zemprelli served in the State Senate from 1969 to 1988, and was Majority leader for the 1979-80 Legislative Session. The bill now goes to the House.
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