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Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
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The Senate voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 862, which would make improvements to the state’s 2004 gaming law. The main changes to the act would forbid public officials from having any financial interest in gaming, impose a strict new code of conduct for gaming officials, and give the state Attorneys General more power to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing. The bill will now go to the House.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1303, which would require the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to submit an annual itemized budget, including administrative expenses, to the General Assembly. Following legislative approval, the Board’s expenses would be paid through gaming proceeds (section 1401 of the Act) that relates to the slot machine licensee deposits. The measure was prompted by a dispute over the Governor’s inter-agency transfer of funds between the Revenue Department and Gaming Board earlier this year. Following delays in getting slots licensees up and running, the gaming board was running short on funds, prompting the Governor to shift funds between the two agencies. The bill now goes to the House.
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The Senate voted unanimously on legislation that would extend the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (MCARE) Abatement Program for another year. The state-run MCARE fund provides relief for doctors struggling to pay rising medical malpractice insurance costs. Senate Bill 972 would extend the MCARE Abatement Program through 2007. Also, emergency physicians who are not employed full time by a trauma center or working under an exclusive contract with a trauma center, would also be eligible for abatement. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
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The Senate unanimously voted on legislation that would amend the Insurance Company Law to improve the HIPAA Alternative Mechanism program, which ensures that individuals can purchase an individual insurance policy. Senate Bill 1335 would ensure that the premium for HIPAA Alternative Mechanism insurance is the same as the premium for identical coverage in the individual health insurance market. Insurers would be required to notify the department if they are utilizing this option, and the rates would be subject to departmental review. It would also reauthorize this program. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
* * * The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1207. The bill would amend the Administrative Code 1929 by further providing for the Pennsylvania State Police. This bill would change all references of “State Police Force” to “Pennsylvania State Police” and would change “men” to “enlisted members”. The bill would also correct the complement cap of the State Police from 3,940 to 4,310 members, which was already established by the General Assembly in Act 100 of 2001 (the Delaware River Toll Bridge Commission, Gaming Enforcement and Liquor Control Enforcement are not counted in determining the total for the State Police). Currently, State Police officers are required to retire at the age of sixty. This bill would allow troopers to continue working once they reach 60 if they do not have twenty years of service. Upon completing 20 years of service, they would then have to retire. The bill now goes to the House.
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The Senate voted unanimously for legislation that would recognize the families of Pennsylvania men and women who have been killed while serving in our nation’s armed forces. House Bill 2498 would create the “Gold Star Family” specialty license plate, which would be available to any family member of a service member killed while serving on active duty. According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, 128 Pennsylvanians have been killed while serving in Iraq, and 11 Pennsylvania soldiers and sailors have been killed in Afghanistan. The bill now heads to the governor for his approval.
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The Senate passed Senate Bill 922 with a unanimous vote. The measure would amend the powers and duties of the Children’s Trust Fund Board, to accept either directly or indirectly through a nonprofit corporation, federal funds, gifts and donations from individuals, private organizations or foundations. This legislation would also amend the powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, so that the secretary of the Department of Welfare or his/her designee would serve as executive director to the board and would carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned by the board through staff employed by the department. The Measure is now in the House.
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The Senate voted unanimously on legislation that could bring more farmers markets to Pennsylvanians. House Bill 2472 would create a grant program designed to encourage the development and expansion of farmers markets. The bill would also authorize the Department of Agriculture to establish standards and procedures to award grants for these programs, with an emphasis placed on underserved areas. The bill now moves to the House.
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The Senate voted unanimously on legislation that would educate young children and their caregivers about healthy eating habits and Pennsylvania agriculture, while providing more market opportunities for local farmers. Senate Bill 1209 would create the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools program within the Department of Agriculture and establish a grant program to administer this program. Any school district, charter school or private school with a kindergarten program would be eligible to apply. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
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The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1266, which would entitle up to 15 days of additional military leave of absence in any one year without loss of pay, time and efficiency rating to state officers and employees who are members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and are ordered to or volunteer for active duty service away from home for more than 30 consecutive days, The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
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