SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR THE WEEK OF
JUNE 7, 2004

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The Senate this week unanimously passed Senate Bill 1024, which would require more specific information in the reporting process set up under the “No Child Left Behind Act.”

The bill would require schools to provide detailed information on students who were enrolled for less than two years, students who are classified as Limited English Proficient, and students with disabilities.

The bill now goes to the House.

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The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2083, which would replace the state’s Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA) with the national model Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.

Giving priority to a child’s home state, the bill would establish rules for courts assuming jurisdiction over child custody actions. The bill was designed to discourage non-custodial parents from taking a child to another state and seeking to have that state negate the home state’s custody order.

The bill now goes to the governor.

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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1100, which would set additional voting requirements for local taxing authorities of Second Class A and Third Class counties following a countywide assessment.

This legislation would mandate that local taxing authorities lower real property taxes at a rate calculated to generate the same revenue as the preceding year, creating a revenue-neutral switch between tax rates before and after an assessment. Following this shift in tax rates, taxing authorities would be required to conduct a separate tax vote in order to raise the property tax rate.

The bill has been sent to the House.

In other action:

The Senate voted 49-1 to approve House Bill 565, which would reduce the safety zone for licensed archery hunters from 150 yards to 50 yards.  The 150-yard buffer would remain in effect for school playgrounds.  The bill has been returned to the House.

By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 1972, which would create the offense of providing false identification to a state Game Commission officer.  The bill has been returned to the House.

               The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 304, which would amend the Medical Practice Act of 1985, defining 

"home health care agency.”  Additionally, the bill provides for home health care services ordered by physicians from another state.
 The bill now returns to the House.  

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