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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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By a vote of 27-20, the Senate this week approved Senate Bill 1025, which would prevent the Environmental Quality Board from moving forward with the more stringent “California car” regulations that exceed auto manufacturer standards set by the federal government for low-emissions vehicles. Because California acted to combat its air-quality problems before the federal Clean Air Act was adopted, the West Coast state has retained the authority to adopt its own standards. When the state first adopted its Clean Vehicles program in 1998, legislators utilized California’s standards because a mandatory federal program had not yet been enacted. The understanding was that the finalized federal standards, now known as Tier II, would be available as a compliance alternative. In October 2005, the Environmental Quality Board acted to adopt California’s newest standards for low-emissions vehicles, known as CA-LEV II. Several legislators have objected to this action because it effectively surrendered Pennsylvania’s regulatory authority to an appointed board in California. Secretary of Environmental Protection Kathleen McGinty has contended that adopting CA-LEV II is essential to achieving Pennsylvania’s air-quality attainment goals, as required by the federal government. Environmental groups have asserted the adopting CA-LEV II in Pennsylvania would result in a 6 to 12 percent reduction in hazardous vehicle emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the difference between California’s standards and Tier II to be around 1 or 2 percent. The auto industry has claimed that new California cars would cost up to $3,000 more for consumers. There is currently no price differential between the Tier II car and the current generation of California cars. The Senate amended this legislation on the floor to require the state Department of Environmental Protection to report to the General Assembly on the state’s progress toward its ozone attainment goals. The department would also convene meetings with stakeholder groups in regions of the state where air-quality targets have not been met. In addition, the state Department of Transportation would be required to report to the General Assembly on the number and percentage of California cars registered in Pennsylvania. The bill now heads to the House.
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In a 27-20 party line vote, the Senate approved the conference committee report on House Bill 1318, which is supposedly aimed at preventing fraud, but Democrats contend would actually disenfranchise voters and suppress voting. While the conference committee action did remove some of the more restrictive requirements from the legislation, the bill still requires voters to show a form of photo or otherwise authorized identification before they can vote. The bill also extends the deadline on receiving overseas absentee ballots, all but prohibits polling places from being located where liquor is regularly served or in private residences. A controversial provision that would have banned paroled felons from voting was removed from the bill. The measure would also raise the minimum payments to judges of election and inspectors of election from $45 to $75; and the minimum payments to clerks and machine operators from $40 to $70. The bill now goes to the Governor, who has already threatened to veto the measure.
In other action:
The Senate voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 1081, which would ensure that veterans of the National Guard disabled in the line of duty remain eligible for the Educational Assistance Program. The bill spells out the eligibility requirements for Pennsylvania National Guard members who are eligible to receive a public service educational grant and a full-time student assistance grant. The bill is now in the House.
The Senate concurred in House amendments to House Bill 1467 with a vote of 45-2. This bill would provide for alternative dispute resolution procedures between contractors and homeowners concerning residential construction defects. The bill now goes to the Governor.
The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 733, which would increase monthly payments to claimants under the Pennsylvania Occupation Disease Act by $25 to $150. The last adjustment was made in 1979. The bill now goes to the House.
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