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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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By a vote of 38 to 10, the Senate this week approved House Bill 213, which would toughen criminal penalties against “ecoterrorists.” Under the bill, criminal penalties would be more stringent if an offender tries to intimidate, coerce, obstruct or prevent someone from engaging in work or research involving animals or natural resources. The measure would also create a new offense for intentionally destroying fields or crops that are used for testing or research. The penalty would be a second-degree felony. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence with Senate amendments.
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This week the Senate voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 874, which itemizes local and state bridge projects that would be authorized for new construction or repairs. The bill now heads to the House.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 969, which would mandate Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) training along with other penalties for bar owners who have been convicted of selling alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated persons. Currently, administrative law judges have the option of requiring the training. The bill now goes to the Governor.
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In order to deter frivolous complaints against court-appointed experts and delays in child-custody decisions, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 845, prohibiting complaints from being filed until 60 days after a final decision in the case. Bitter parents in child custody cases frequently file complaints to state licensing officials against court-appointed psychologists or other health providers who provide testimony unfavorable to their case. The measure now moves to the House.
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The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 200, which would establish the “Ounce of Prevention Program” to provide grants to certain entities that provide home visitation and other services to low-income, at risk expectant first-time mothers and their newborn children and families. The amended bill now goes back to the House.
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By a unanimous vote, the Senate passed House Bill 893, which would require state and local approval for terminations or transfers of water or sewer service by municipal authorities. The legislation would also add water supply shut-off notice requirements. The bill is now in the House.
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The Senate unanimously approved the following appropriations bills:
Senate Bill 1160 would appropriate $975,000 through the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Small Business Advocate for the 2006-07 fiscal year. Senate Bill 1163 would make an appropriation from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from the Restricted Account in the General Fund to the Department of State for the operation of professional licensure boards in the 2006-07 fiscal year. Senate Bill 1164 would appropriate $39.5 million for the general government operations of the school employee’s retirement fund. A vote of 48-0 was recorded. Senate Bill 1165 would appropriate $24.9 million for the general government operations of the State Employee’s Retirement Fund. Senate Bill 1166 would provide $840 million for the Capital Budget Act of 2006-2007.
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