Aging and Youth

*** Nursing Home Assessments – By a 45-3 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 297, which imposes nursing facility assessment fees on long-term nursing care facilities. The fees are necessary for the state to qualify for maximum federal funding. The measure authorizes the Department of Public Welfare to use the revenue collected from the fees to increase program payments, in the aggregate, to Medical Assistance nursing facility providers to the extent permissible under federal law. The new law also establishes the Kinship Care Program. This bill was signed into law as Act 25 of 2003.

*** PACE Expansion  – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 888, which was projected to make 100,000 more senior citizens eligible for Lottery-funded PACE and PACENET prescription drug benefits.

Under the measure, the income limits for PACE and PACENET are raised to the following:

• PACE Single – from $14,000 to $14,500
• PACE Couple – from $17,200 to $17,700
• PACENET Single – from $17,000 to $23,500
• PACENET Couple – from $22,200 to $31,500.

The law, Act 37 of 2003, also changed the $500 PACENET deductible to $40 per month to encourage more senior citizens to participate. The expansion was made possible through increased lottery sales and money received by the state through the Tobacco Settlement Fund.

Many elements of the bill were modeled from the Senate Democrat’s FAIRx proposal. 

*** State Lottery Law – The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 1167, which amends the State Lottery Law to protect 2,500 PACENET recipients from losing their eligibility in 2005 due to a small Social Security cost of living increase.

The bill also removed language that would set the manufacturer rebate for generic products at 14 percent. The new rebate is 11 percent retroactive to Jan. 1, 2004. The rebate rollback for generic drugs is intended to increase the use of generic drugs but would cost the program approximately $3 million per fiscal year. The bill was enacted as Act 219 of 2004.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs 

*** Rabies Prevention Standards – By a 48-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 318, legislation that repeals an obsolete act dealing with the prevention and spread of rabies. Updated standards are contained in several other sections of state law, such as the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act; Title 3 PACS (Agriculture), Chapter 23 (Domestic Animals); and the Dog Law. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 27 of 2003.        

*** Amendments to “Clean and Green” Law – By a 47-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 657, which amends the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act of 1974 (“Clean and Green”) to define “agritainment,”  “recreational activity,” and “forest reserve.” The bill also removes from preferential assessment farmstead land designated as agricultural reserve and forest reserve. County commissioners are permitted to adopt an ordinance including farmstead land in the total use value for land in agricultural reserve and for land in forest reserve. 

House Bill 657 also requires county assessors to report the number of acres in each land use category, in addition to the reporting already required by law. No rollback taxes will be due and no breach of preferential assessment will occur if a landowner authorizes a recreational activity on agricultural or forest reserve land, regardless of whether or not the landowner imposed a fee to perform the activity. The bill was enacted as Act 235 of 2004.  

*** Manure Hauling and Broker Certification – By a 49-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 1809. This legislation requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a commercial manure hauler and broker certification program that includes training and education requirements. The Governor approved the bill as Act 49 of 2004.        

*** Repeal of Grain Measuring Fees – By a 46-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 1867, which repeals Section 19 of Act 91 of 1842, which set fees for the measuring of grain in the port and city of Philadelphia. The fee was set at 40 cents for every 100 bushels of grain measured. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 156 of 2004. 

*** Farm Market Stall Rental – By a 46-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 1868, legislation authorizing a farmer to rent his stall in any market in Philadelphia to another farmer. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 157 of 2004. 

*** Seed Distribution – By a 46-0 vote, the Senate approved House Bill 2387. This legislation amends Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, adding a chapter relating to the labeling, sale and distribution of seeds. New provisions in the bill create a licensing requirement for all seed distributors, add civil penalty provisions, and specify the appeal process. Seed revenues will be deposited into the Agronomic Regulatory Account, a restricted account within the General Fund. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 164 of 2004. 

*** Milk Production and Licensing – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2512, which will further enhance protections to Pennsylvania’s milk producers. This new law amends the Pennsylvania Milk Producers’ Security Act, requiring that new milk dealers obtain licenses to file a bond with the Milk Marketing Board. The bond must equal a minimum 75 percent of the highest aggregate amount owed by the milk dealer to all producers over a 40-day period during the preceding 12 months. New dealers will not be permitted to participate in the 30-percent bond/security fund option available under current law.

The board may require a larger bond from a milk dealer if it is determined that the financial condition of the dealer will not adequately ensure payment to milk producers or if the value of the milk purchased or received by the dealer has increased, or is reasonably anticipated to increase. The bill sets forth conditions for contributing to the security fund, as well as payments to producers. The measure also defines a “vested dealer” as one who participates in the security fund option. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 66 of 2004.  

*** Importation Standards for Live Turtles – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2589, legislation that repeals the permit required by the Department of Health for the importation of live turtles. This bill allows a person to sell any live turtle that is not prohibited by federal regulation. Pennsylvania law previously required the department to certify that the turtles are free from salmonellae, which is virtually impossible to ascertain for certain species of turtle. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 107 of 2004. 

*** Samuel E. Hayes, Jr., Livestock Evaluation Center – By a 49-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 340, legislation naming the new Animal Livestock Evaluation Center at Pennsylvania State University the Samuel E. Hayes, Jr., Livestock Evaluation Center. Hayes served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture from 1997 to 2003. He was also in the state House of Representatives for 22 years. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 9 of 2003. 

* Center for Rural Pennsylvania Grant Authorization – By a 47-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 564, which would have amended the Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization Act to add the regional campuses of the University of Pittsburgh to the list of colleges and universities whose faculty members are eligible for grants from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

The bill would have changed the definition of “quorum” from six members to a simple majority of the 11-member Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board. In addition, the bill would have amended references to the Pennsylvania Farmers’ Association to reflect its current name, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and would have deleted references to the now-defunct Pennsylvania Rural Coalition. The bill died in the House.  

*** Agricultural Loan Forgiveness Program Extension – By a 46-0 vote, the Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 673, which extends the Agriculture Loan Forgiveness program to agriculture teachers.

Loan applicants are required to hold a degree related to the production of agricultural products from a Pennsylvania college or university approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Other applicant guidelines include: current certification under Department of Education Certification and Staffing Policies and Guidelines and first-year employment status teaching an agriculture curriculum at the elementary or secondary level in a public or private school.  The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 181 of 2004.  

* “Clean and Green” Rollback Taxes – By a 47-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 834, which would have added a section on rollback taxes to Pennsylvania’s “Clean and Green” farmland/open space preservation law. Under this measure, lands categorized as agricultural or forest reserve would not have been subject to rollback taxes if the land were leased for passive, non-motorized recreational use. The bill died in the House.  

*** Humane Society Police Officer Advisory Board – The Senate voted 47-0 in concurrence of House amendments to Senate Bill 871. This legislation creates a Humane Society Police Officer Advisory Board to advise the Secretary of Agriculture in the administration of the approximately 100 active humane society police officers in Pennsylvania.

The Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture as chairperson, will consist of: a representative of a society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals; a humane society police officer; a representative of a statewide veterinary medical association; a representative of a farm organization; a district attorney or designee; a district justice; a representative of the police; a Court of Common Pleas judge; and a clerk of courts.

Humane society police officers are appointed by the county courts of common pleas. Under the bill, a society or organization for the prevention of cruelty to animals will be permitted to petition the county court for the appointment of particular individuals as humane society police officers.

The following requirements are designated for appointees: Pennsylvania residency for at least one year; successful completion of the training program; a clean criminal history report from the State Police; no prior convictions for offenses graded a felony or serious misdemeanor; and no prior convictions for offenses related to cruelty to animals. In addition, the bill establishes the Humane Officer Account in the General Fund to cover the cost of processing appointments and renewals, as well as Board operations, training programs and other expenses. All fines, penalties and surcharges collected by humane society police officers will be deposited into the fund.

Violations of the Humane Society Police Officers Enforcement Act of 1994 constitute a third-degree misdemeanor and carry a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 90 days. The Board also is permitted to impose a $100 surcharge on certain offenses relating to cruelty to animals. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 205 of 2004. 

*** Pennsylvania Crop Insurance Law – By a 47-0 vote, the Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 912. This legislation establishes the Pennsylvania Crop Insurance Law, aimed at educating Pennsylvania’s farm producers on the benefits of federal crop insurance and risk management. All fines, penalties and surcharges collected by humane society police officers will be deposited into the fund.

Under the new law, the state will continue to pay up to 10 percent of the cost of insurance premiums, but will no longer be required to pay for associated administrative fees and costs. The savings of approximately $750,000 will be applied to the premium subsidy. If funds are not sufficient to provide up to 10 percent of insurance premium costs, the Department of Agriculture will prorate available funds among all recipients of federal crop insurance for that year.

The 2004-2005 state budget subsidy for the crop insurance program is $2 million. The legislative changes will result in an approximately 6.7 percent discount on premiums. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 208 of 2004.

Appropriations

*** Rushed 2003-04 Budget – For the first time, the General Assembly passed a state budget with absolutely no public input or debate.  The Republican majority, in express defiance of the governor’s earnest request, rushed to approval at the earliest possible date precisely to avoid interference from their own constituents.

Drafted in response to the Schweiker Administration’s deficit, the $21 billion budget for 2003-2004 was merely the first step in the Gov. Ed Rendell’s fiscal plan.  Later in March, he unveiled his “Plan for a New Pennsylvania,” which called for historic levels of education funding, property tax reform, and the leveraging of a $5 billion impact for economic development and job creation through the use of $2 billion in bonds.

Regardless, House Bill 648 passed the Senate in March by a party-line vote of 27-21. The governor signed the bill as Act 1A of 2003, but line-item vetoed the Education portion of the budget.  Many of the budget cuts included in Act 1A were later restored by House Bill 1589 (Act 9A of 2003), and the education budget was restored and passed as Senate Bill 80 (Act 48 of 2003). 

The rushed budget approved in March of 2003 included $1.6 billion in cuts from almost every department and agency.  The March budget utilized more than $750 million in either increased revenues or shifted funds to close fiscal holes left by the outgoing Republican administration. These included:

• $330 million from the state’s tobacco-settlement fund;
• $250 million from the “rainy day” fund;
• $90 million from changes in the escheats program;
• $13.5 million from increased enforcement of tax collections;
• $2.3 million from reductions in the interest paid on tax refunds;
• $52.6 million from a slowdown in the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax reduction;
• $29.3 million from increases in fees and licenses.

Some of the spending cuts were:

• $57 million from aid to the 14 state-owned universities four state-related universities;
• $77 million from school performance-incentive grants, school-improvement grants and education-support services;
• $37.6 million from improvements library services;
• $83 million from support for inpatient services provided under the medical-assistance program and behavioral services in the Department of Public Welfare;
• $63.1 million from a safe-water program and from sewage treatment plant operations grants;
• $15.1 million from support to parks and forest management;
• $79.5 million from community revitalization and urban development grants.

          *** Fixing the 2003-04 Budget – By a vote of 42-7, the Senate passed House Bill 1589, which amended the 2003-2004 state budget to restore some of the funding that was cut when Republican lawmakers rushed the budget through in March.  Including federal monies, the bill contains about $5.5 billion in supplemental spending. Some of the key restorations include:

• Libraries - $10 million
• Drug and Alcohol Programs -      $43 million
• Drug and Alcohol Programs in Prisons - $5.2 million
• Medical Assistance - $132 million
• Human Services Development Fund - $33 million
• Mass Transit - $16 million

The bill was signed into law as Act 9A of 2003.

The Senate unanimously passed the following 2003-04 appropriations bills, all of which were signed into law:

 *** Senate Bill 582 (Act 2 of 2003), authorizing $15 million for Construction and improvements of the DuPont Company’s Imaging Technologies project in Bradford County.

*** Senate Bill 629 (Act 8A of 2003) appropriating $22.162 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees’ Retirement Board for the 2003-04 fiscal year and for the payment of unpaid bills at the close of the 2002-03 fiscal year.

*** Senate Bill 630 (Act 2A of 2003) appropriating $42.947 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board for the 2003-04 fiscal year and for the payment of unpaid bills at the close of the 2002-03 fiscal year.  

*** Senate Bill 631 (Act 3A), appropriating $21.183 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account within the General Fund for the 2003-04 state fiscal year to the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.  It also makes appropriations from various restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to various boards within the Bureau for their operation in the 2003-04 fiscal year. 

*** Senate Bill 632 (Act 4A), transferring funds from the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry to provide $55.006 million for administrative expenses for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The bill also appropriates $184,000 to the Department of Community and Economic Development to fund workers’ compensation activities by the Small Business Advocate. 

*** Senate Bill 633 (Act 5A), appropriating $44.256 million from the restricted revenue account in the General Fund for the operation of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the 2003-04 fiscal year

*** Senate Bill 634 (Act 6A), appropriating $4.594 million from the restricted revenue account in the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate within the Office of Attorney General for the 2003-04 fiscal year.

*** Senate Bill 635 (Act 7A), appropriating $973,000 from the restricted revenue account in the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development for the 2003-04 fiscal year.

  The Senate failed to pass by the required two-thirds majority Senate Bill 636, appropriating $306,465,000 to the Pennsylvania State University, and Senate Bill 637, and appropriating $163,336,000 to the University of Pittsburgh. Both bills failed on a 27-21 party-line vote.  The Senate later approved the appropriations as House Bills 1374 and 1375, respectively.

The Senate approved a package of non-preferred appropriations bills, making allocations to educational and medical institutions. The bills, which require a two-thirds vote to pass, were defeated in July on a party-line vote. The votes were reconsidered, and the bills remained on the table until December. The following bills were approved unanimously. The House concurred and the Governor signed all of the measures.

*** House Bill 1374 (Act 10A of 2003), $307,844,000 to the Pennsylvania State University for the 2003-04 fiscal year.  The bill was amended in the Senate to increase the appropriation for rural education outreach.

*** House Bill 1375 (Act 11A of 2003), $163,386,000 to the University of Pittsburgh for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The bill was amended in the Senate to increase the appropriation for rural education outreach by $50,000.

*** House Bill 1376 (Act 12A of 2003), $164,941,000 to Temple University.  The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring that 75% of the students receiving money through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1377 (Act 13A) of 2003),  $12,155,000 to Lincoln University. A Senate amendment removed language specifying how much money would go to various programs. 

*** House Bill 1378 (Act 14A of 2003), $6,470,000 to Drexel University. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1379 (Act 15A of 2003), $42,946,000 to the University of Pennsylvania. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1380 (Act 16A of 2003), $12,003,000 to the Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation.  A Senate amendment removed a requirement that the medical school set aside 5 percent of the admissions for students who agree to practice at least four years in a medically underserved area of the Commonwealth.

*** House Bill 1381 (Act 17A of 2003), $9,178,000 to Thomas Jefferson University.  A Senate amendment removed a requirement that the medical school set aside 5 percent of the admissions for students who agree to practice at least four years in a medically underserved area of the Commonwealth.

*** House Bill 1382 (Act 18A of 2003), $4,650,000 to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1383 (Act 19A of 2003), $1,391,000 to the Philadelphia College of Optometry. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1384 (Act 20A of 2003), $1,122,000 to the Pennsylvania University of the Arts.  The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1385 (Act 21A of 2003), $1,477,000 to the Bureau Training School. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1386 (Act 22A of 2003), $182,000 to the Johnson Technical Institute. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1387 (Act 23A of 2003), $65,000 to the Williamson Free School. The Senate amended the bill to remove a provision requiring 75 percent of the students receiving money appropriated through the act must be Pennsylvania residents.

*** House Bill 1388 (Act 24A of 2003), $776,000 to the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research.

*** House Bill 1389 (Act 25A of 2003), $306,000 to the Wistar Institute.

*** House Bill 1390 (Act 26A of 2003), $130,000 to the Central Penn Oncology Group.

*** House Bill 1391 (Act 27A of 2003), $49,000 to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic.

*** House Bill 1392 (Act 28A of 2003), $49,000 to the Pittsburgh Cleft Palate Clinic.

*** House Bill 1393 (Act 29A of 2003), $418,000 to the Burn Foundation.

*** House Bill 1394 (Act 30A of 2003), $781,000 to the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.

*** House Bill 1395 (Act 31A of 2003), $451,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

*** House Bill 1396 (Act 32A of 2003), $117,000 to the Beacon Lodge Blind Services.

*** House Bill 1397 (Act 33A of 2003), $143,000 to the Arsenal Family and Children’s Center.

            *** Capital Budget for 2003-2004 – The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to House Bill 1634, which provided for the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act for fiscal 2003-2004. The amended bill provided $13.1 billion in project authorizations.  The bill was signed into law as Act 40 of 2004.

*** Pittsburgh Financial Crisis – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2006, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act. The act provided for the creation of an intergovernmental authority to help Pittsburgh solve its fiscal problems.

            The authority is 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 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 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 state has the ability to withhold funding from the city if it does not comply with the financial plan.

During the final week of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill (See House Bill 197, Finance) that will enable the city to make numerous changes to its tax system to erase a looming $34 million debt.

The legislation was approved in the House and enacted as Act 11 of 2004.

 *** Water and Sewer Projects Investment – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2332, which placed a question on the 2004 primary election ballot asking voters whether they favored incurring $250 million of indebtedness for water and wastewater projects. The measure was aimed at providing 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.

 *** PUC Appropriation for 2004-05 – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 2521, which appropriates $44.9 million from the General Fund’s restricted revenue account to the Public Utility Commission for general government operations for fiscal 2004-2005. The bill was enacted as Act 8A of 2004.

             *** Consumer Advocate – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2522, which appropriates $4.6 million from the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Attorney General’s Office for fiscal 2004-2005. The bill was signed into law as Act 1A of 2004.

             *** Small Business Advocate – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2523, which appropriates $967,000 to the state’s Small Business Advocate. The bill was signed into law as Act 2A of 2004.

             *** SERS Appropriation – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2524, which appropriates $23.49 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund to the State Employees’ Retirement Board for salaries, wages and travel expenses of the employees and 13 members of the State Employees’ Retirement Board. The bill was signed into law as Act 3A of 2004.

            *** Public School Retirees  – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 2525, which appropriates $41.7 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund to the Public School Employees Retirement Board for its administrative and operational expenses for fiscal 2004-05. The bill was enacted as Act 4A of 2004.

             *** Professional Licensure – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2526, which appropriates $22.9 million from the General Fund’s Professional Licensure Augmentation Account to the Department of State for the operation of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. The bill was enacted as Act 5A of 2004.

              *** Workmen’s Comp – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 2527, which transfers funds from the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry to provide $55 million for administrative expenses for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The bill also appropriates $184,000 to the Department of Community and Economic Development to fund workers’ compensation activities by the Small Business Advocate. The bill was signed into law as Act 6A of 2004.

             *** Capital Budget – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2528, which provides for the Capital Budget Debt Authorization Act of 2004-2005. The bill specifies the maximum principal amount of additional debt to be incurred during this fiscal year for capital projects previously itemized in a capital projects itemization bill. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 182 of 2004.

            The Senate unanimously approved a number of non-preferred appropriations for 2004-05 totaling $748.66 million. They include:

***  House Bill 2529 (Act 9A of 2004), which appropriates $317,179,000 to Penn State University for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2531 (Act 10A of 2004), which appropriates $168,768,000 to the University of Pittsburgh for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2532 (Act 11A of 2004), which appropriates $169,989,000 to Temple University for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2533 (Act 12A of 2004), which appropriates $12,619,000 to Lincoln University for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2534 (Act 37A of 2004), which appropriates $6,632,000 to Drexel University for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2535 (Act 13A of 2004), which appropriates $43,791,000 to the University of Pennsylvania for the 2004-05 fiscal year.  The bill also appropriates $231,000 to the Trustees of the University for the University of Pennsylvania Museum;

*** House Bill 2536 (Act 14A of 2004), which appropriates $12,086,000 to the Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation for the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Health Professions for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2537 (Act 15A of 2004), which appropriates $9,406,000 to Thomas Jefferson University for fiscal 2004-05;

*** House Bill 2538 (Act 16A of 2004), which appropriates $4,766,000 to the Philadelphia College for Osteopathic Medicine for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2539 (Act 17A of 2004, which appropriates $1,415,000 to the Philadelphia College of Optometry for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2540 (Act 18A of 2004), which appropriates $1,150,000 to the Pennsylvania University of the Arts for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2541 (Act 19A of 2004), which appropriates $1,511,000 to the Berean Training and Industrial School for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2542 (Act 20A of 2004), which appropriates $183,000 to the Johnson Technical Institute for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2543 (Act 21A of 2004), which appropriates $67,000 to the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2544 (Act 22A of 2004), which appropriates $776,000 to the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2545 (Act 23A of 2004), which appropriates $306,000 to the Wistar Institute for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2546 (Act 24A of 2004), which appropriates $130,000 to the Central Penn Oncology Group for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2547 (Act 25A of 2004), which appropriates $49,000 to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2548 (Act 26A of 2004), which appropriates $49,000 to the Pittsburgh Cleft Palate Institute for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2549 (Act 27A of 2004), which appropriates $418,000 to the Burn Foundation of Greater Delaware Valley for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2550 (Act 28A of 2004), which appropriates $970,000 to the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2551 (Act 29A of 2004), which appropriates $451,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2552 (Act 30A of 2004), which appropriates $117,000 to the Beacon Lodge Camp for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2553 (Act 31A of 2004), which appropriates $462,000 to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for the 2004-05 fiscal year; and

*** House Bill 2590 (Act 39A of 2004), which appropriates $1,763,000 to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

            The Senate voted 46 to 4 in favor of the following non-preferred appropriations bills for 2004-05:

 *** House Bill 2554 (Act 38A of 2004), which appropriates $699,000 to the Franklin Institute for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2555 (Act 32A of 2004), which appropriates $428,000 to the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2556 (Act 33Aof 2004), which appropriates $326,000 to the African-American Museum in Philadelphia for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2557 (Act 34A of 2004), which appropriates $42,000 to the Everhart Museum for the 2004-05 fiscal year;

*** House Bill 2558 (Act 35A of 2004), which appropriates $178,000 to the Mercer Museum for the 2004-05 fiscal year; and

*** House Bill 2559 (act 36A of 2004), which appropriates $128,000 to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

 *** General Fund Budget for 2004-05 – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 2579, the state’s $23.3 billion General Fund Budget for 2004-05.

The spending plan renews the state’s commitment to public schools by hiking basic education subsidies by more than $150 million (3.5 percent) over the 2003-04 total. The budget also includes $15 million to supplement Head Start, $47 million for tutoring programs, and $200 million for the state’s Accountability Block Grant program that focuses on math and reading skills.

The budget also provided a 21 percent increase for libraries, a 4.3 percent increase for higher education, and a 2 percent cost-of-living boost for direct care workers who work with the handicapped and mentally retarded. Democrats credited Gov. Rendell for his “responsible and efficient” use of state tax dollars. After being left with a deficit by the former Administration, Rendell had built a $636 million revenue surplus. Heeding the governor’s advice, the legislature placed most of the surplus funds in reserve accounts in anticipation of higher federal Medicaid costs next year. The Governor signed the conference committee report on House Bill 2579 as Act 7A of 2004.

* Water Projects Investment – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1012, which would have placed a question on the 2004 primary election ballot asking voters whether they favored the incurrence of $250 million of indebtedness for water and wastewater projects.  The bill died in the House, but its provisions were included in House Bill 2332 (Act 10 of 2004).

*** Economic Stimulus – In response to a lagging growth and record job loss, the Senate unanimously passed a multifaceted, comprehensive stimulus plan intended to jumpstart Pennsylvania’s economy. As part of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “Plan for a New Pennsylvania,” Senate Bill 1026 establishes the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which will distribute $1.135 billion in funds and maintain the authority to issue bonds for:

• Making loans, grants or guarantees for costs of projects;
• Purchasing loans, mortgages, security interests or loan participations;
• Paying incidental expenses, including administrative costs of the Authority and/or the Department of Community and Economic Development;
• Paying the expenses of authorizing and issuing the bonds;
• Paying principal interest on the bonds;
• Funding reserves.

 The components of the plan are:

• Business in Our Sites, $300 million to assist municipalities in preparation of sites for future business development. Municipalities, municipal authorities, redevelopment authorities, or industrial development authorities are eligible for planning grants for specific projects and for project financing.  
• First Industries, $150 million for projects related to tourism and agriculture.  
• Second Stage, $50 million to guarantee loans for Commonwealth businesses in the sectors of life sciences, advanced technology or manufacturing.  
• New Pennsylvania Venture Guarantee Program, $250 million to guarantee venture capital partnerships for investments in Pennsylvania-related companies in the early- to mid-stage of development.
• Building Pennsylvania, $150 million to provide loans to fund managers for investment in real estate projects in Pennsylvania. 
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF), $100 million to provide guarantees for tax increment financing bonds or other indebtedness.  
• New Pennsylvania Venture Capital Investment Program, $60 million to provide loans to venture capital partnerships for investment in Pennsylvania-related companies.  
• Base Retention and Conversion of the Commonwealth’s Department of Defense military bases through the development of a statewide strategy, grants for economic impact studies, assessment of infrastructure needs and identification of job training needs.

The bill was enacted as Act 22 of 2004.

* Appropriations Bills – The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bills 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1128 and 1130. While all of these the appropriations bills died in the House, the House version of each measure was enacted.

Banking and Insurance

Securities Fraud Legislation – The Senate unanimously approved a package of bills aimed at cracking down on securities fraud and further defining the powers of the Commonwealth’s Securities Commission: 

*** House Bill 547 toughens the penalties for those found guilty of violating the Pennsylvania Securities Act. Under the bill, the maximum penalty will rise from $50,000 to $100,000 for most violations. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 125 of 2004.  

*** House Bill 552 amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972 to add the use of the Internet to the list of covered methods for advertising the sale of securities. The bill also sets fees for the filing of items such as securities registrations and exemptions. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 126 of 2004. 

*** House Bill 553 amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972, establishing the legal procedure for the escrow of payments by corporations that are in violation of the state’s securities law. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 127 of 2004. 

*** House Bill 561 amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972 to further define “institutional investor” and require securities advisers who receive financial consideration for their services, to disclose details of the compensation to a pension plan or system. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 128 of 2004.  

*** House Bill 595 amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972 to provide a means for the Securities Commission to be reimbursed for services rendered to a receiver, trustee or conservator if significant state funds are expended to assist injured parties. The reimbursement will not exceed 10 percent of the funds held. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 129 of 2004.  

*** House Bill 599 increases the statute of limitations for civil securities fraud actions from 4 to 5 years, consistent with the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This change applies to all legal proceedings begun after the effective date of the act. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 130 of 2004.  

*** House Bill 600 adds language to the Pennsylvania Securities Act, allowing the Securities Commission to deny a registration statement if an issuer has loaned money to company insiders and the loan has not been repaid prior to the effective date of the registration statement. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 131 of 2004. 

*** House Bill 604 amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972, allowing the Securities Commission to suspend the registration of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, agent or investment adviser representative if he or she is delinquent on payments of compensation to securities purchasers. The bill also sets punishment charges for violators of selected sections of the Securities Act. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 132 of 2004.  

*** Employee Life Insurance Benefits – By a 49-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 483, which amends the Pennsylvania Insurance Company Law to require employers who are providing life insurance benefits to their employees to notify them and obtain written consent of any intent to purchase a life insurance policy on the employee. The bill also extends the sunset date for the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA) for an additional three years, until December 31, 2006. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 50 of 2003.  

*** Large Deductible Insurance Policies – The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 815. This legislation amends the Insurance Department Act of 1921 as it relates to large deductible insurance policies (above $250,000) and exempts certain collateral from qualifying as an asset of the estate of an insolvent insurer. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 46 of 2004.  

*** Advances by Domestic Insurers – By a 46-0 vote, the Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 1096. This legislation amends the Insurance Company Law to outline the circumstances under which advances can be made from a director, officer, person, corporation or other entity to a domestic insurer in exchange for a surplus note. Any advance will require a 30-day notice to the Insurance Commissioner.

The new law also requires any entity that solicits or provides prepaid home health or personal care services and claims to be exempt from securities requirements, to turn over all necessary books and records to the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner for final determination. No long-term care insurance policy will be marketed, offered or designed to provide coverage for less than 12 consecutive months. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 216 of 2004.

Communications and Technology

*** 911 Centers – The Senate adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 1018, the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act. The measure established a system by which county 911 centers can accurately trace the location and phone number of someone calling for emergency assistance from a wireless phone. The system is funded by a monthly $1 surcharge on wireless telephones that are registered in Pennsylvania. The new law also:

• creates the Wireless E-911 Emergency Services Advisory Board, which would make recommendations to PEMA regarding the system;
• provides for state police training for dispatchers;
• allows the Pennsylvania State Police to request wireless phone number database information from county 911 centers; 
• clarifies the interaction between the state police, emergency call centers and counties in regard to access to 911 data; and
• requires emergency call centers and wireless providers to submit to PEMA the expected eligible costs of providing wireless E-911 service. 

The Governor signed the bill as Act 56 of 2003.  

*** Access for the Blind – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 79, which amended the Dual Party Relay Service and Telecommunications Device Distribution Program Act. The legislation allows blind individuals to participate in the Print Media Access System Program, a telephone service that provides access to national and local newspapers via the telephone. The Governor signed the bill as Act 174 of 2004. 

*** Wireless Emergency Tracing – By a 48-1 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 432, which amended the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act to establish an enhanced wireless E-911 emergency telephone system to allow county 911 centers to pinpoint accurately the location and number of a person who is calling 911 for emergency assistance from a wireless phone. The Governor signed the bill as Act 179 of 2004.

*** Internet Privacy Policies – The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 705, which amended the Crimes Code to further provide for the offense of deceptive or fraudulent business practices. Specifically, this legislation prohibits knowingly making a false or misleading statement in a privacy policy regarding the use of personal information submitted by the public. The penalty for this offense is a fine of $50 to $500. The bill was enacted as Act 202 of 2004.

* Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 703, which would have tightened privacy restrictions on posting or requesting Social Security numbers. The bill would have prevented a person, entity, state agency or political subdivision from: publicly posting or displaying an individual’s social security number; printing a person’s social security number on a document so that person can use or access a product or service; requiring a person to transmit his or her social security number over the Internet, unless that connection is secure or the message is encrypted; requiring a person to use his or her social security number to access the World Wide Web; printing a person’s social security number on any material that is mailed to the individual unless required by federal or state law; and requiring someone to use his or her social security number to access products or services.  The bill died in the House.

Community and Economic Development

*** Economic Enhancement Act – Senate Bill 10, the Republican version of an economic stimulus package that was introduced as a counter to Gov. Rendell’s jobs package contained in the “Plan for a New Pennsylvania”–unanimously passed the Senate.  Under the act, the Governor designates deteriorated properties as tax incentive districts for a period of not more than 20 years. Persons owning property located within the district are eligible to receive grants and loans for projects that increase and diversify the manufacturing base, aid in the expansion of existing private companies, attract new industries and products, and promote environmental abatement, remediation and disposal of pollutants. The Governor signed the bill as Act 23 of 2004. 

* Deputy Secretary for Local Government Services – By a 47-1 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 230, which would have created the Deputy Secretary for Local Government Services within the Department of Community and Economic Development. The new office would have been responsible for the administration of the Center for Local Government Services, as well as other functions and duties authorized by the governor. The bill died in the House.

Consumer Protection

*** Verizon Rates – Over Democratic objections, the Republican majority pushed through House Bill 30, amending Chapter 30 to allow Verizon to charge ratepayers another $3 billion to develop statewide high-speed internet access, but not putting in place any oversight to protect consumers and make sure progress is made. The bill passed 27-20.

            Democratic amendments to the bill, which would have required the Public Utility Commission to audit the progress of broadband development, were defeated largely along party lines.  Democrats argued that the Legislature had already granted Verizon a $10 billion rate increase for the same purpose, but after more than a decade the work was never done. The bill was signed into law as Act 183 of 2004. 

*** Utility Service Cut-Offs – As the weather was beginning to turn cold, the Senate approved a bill intended to strike a balance between concerns over making sure low-income families keep their heat turned on while addressing the rising number of delinquent gas accounts in Philadelphia.

            By a vote of 39 to 8, the Senate approved Senate Bill 677, which allows utility companies, even in the winter, to disconnect customers in certain income brackets without first receiving approval directly from the Public Utility Commission. The bill also allows utility providers to require deposits of problematic customers.  Each year, the Philadelphia Gas Works writes off about 8 percent of bills as uncollectible. The House passed the measure 163-33, and the Governor signed it into law as Act 201 of 2004. 

*** Fraudulent Business Practices – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House amendments to House Bill 623, the bill that sets up slot machine gaming in Pennsylvania.  The amendments dealt chiefly with new definitions of fraudulent business practices, toughening the standards to prevent Enron-type fraud in Pennsylvania. The House approved additional amendments and the bill was signed into law as Act 234 of 2004. 

*** Credit Fraud – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 506, adding language to the Crimes Code clarifying that a person commits the offense of deceptive or fraudulent business practice if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly engages in certain acts. Such acts include inducing others to rely on a false or misleading written statement for the purpose of obtaining property or credit, promoting the sale of securities, or to induce an investor to invest in a business venture. The bill was signed into law as Act 26 of 2004. 

*** Assessor Certification – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2022, which subjects assessors in second-class counties to the requirements of the Assessor Certification Act. Before the law, all assessors must comply with the act with the exception of Philadelphia and Allegheny counties. Assessors from Allegheny County will have three years to comply. The bill was signed by the Governor as Act 100 of 2004. 

*** Emergency Repairs – House Bill 2090 amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, clarifying the procedure for the contracting of goods or services exceeding $25 when the goods and services are necessary to remedy an emergency on the buyer’s property. The bill was also approved unanimously in the House and signed by the Governor as Act 196 of 2004. 

*** Denture Identification – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2298, mandating identification on dentures and removable orthodontic appliances. The bill was enacted as Act 101 of 2004.           

*** Underground Utility Lines – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2384, amending the Underground Utility Line Protection Law to require a facility owner to submit an incident report to the Department of Labor and Industry within 10 days of learning that facility owner’s lines were damaged by excavation or demolition. The bill was signed into law as Act 199 of 2004. 

*** Occupational Therapy – The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1438, which amends the “Occupational Therapy Practice Act” of 1982, and extends the law’s provisions to licensed optometrists. Currently, an occupational therapist needs the referral of a licensed physician or licensed podiatrist before providing occupational therapy.  The amended bill allows occupational therapists to receive authorization from a licensed optometrist’s referral as well. The bill was signed into law as Act 30 of 2004. 

*** River Pilots – The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1059, which raises the current rate for river pilots guiding vessels within 80 miles of the Port of Philadelphia from $9.58 to $10.88 by 2007.  The bill also increases the maximum number of units that can be charged. The bill passed the House by a vote of 184-14, and was signed into law as Act 47 of 2004. 

*** Home Health Care – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 304, amending the Medical Practice Act to authorize home healthcare services ordered by physicians from another state. Some Pennsylvanians have been denied access to home healthcare services because their out-of-state physicians are not authorized to write orders for the delivery of home healthcare services within Pennsylvania.  The bill passed the House unanimously as well, and was signed into law as Act 44 of 2004. 

* Musical Groups – A bill intended to crack down on musical groups who might not be who they say they are died through inaction in the House. Approved unanimously in the Senate, Senate Bill 859 would have made it a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to advertise a live musical performance or production through a false or misleading association between the performing person or group and a recording person or group. 

Education

** Budget Battle – In an attempt to strip power from the governor, Senate Republicans pushed through a measure that would have automatically continued education funding, even if the Legislature fails to adopt a budget by the deadline.  House Bill 2128 passed the Senate on a 29-21 party-line vote after the House had approved it 138-56.  As promised, Gov. Rendell vetoed it, forcing Republicans to negotiate a fair solution to the 2003-04 state budget. 

* School Budget Surplus – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 680, which would have regulated the amount of money school districts can keep in reserve while adopting a tax increase. The bill was amended by Democrats to ease the restrictions on smaller school districts.  Most school districts would have been limited to budget surpluses of 8 percent.  The Democratic amendment would have allowed higher percentages on a sliding scale for districts with budgets of less than $19 million. The bill was sent to the House where it died in the Education Committee. 

* Assistance for Schools – The Senate unanimously passed a pair of bills designed to help school districts meet the standards of the “No Child Left Behind” Act.  Senate Bill 1107 was intended to amend the Public School Code to require that certain school districts revise their professional education plans and to require the Department of Education to create a clearinghouse of continuing professional education programs. Senate Bill 1108 would have required the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to schools that have not met state academic performance targets or that have been identified for school improvement or corrective action.  Both bills died in the House. 

* Character Education – By a vote of 42-7, the Senate passed Senate Bill 596, which was aimed at helping school districts across the state develop programs to reduce truancy, violence and delinquency by teaching children not just to be better students, but better citizens as well. Authored by a Democrat, the bill would have established a grant program in the Department of Education to help districts implement character education.  It was sent to the House, where it died. 

* Parental Involvement – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 498 in an attempt to create a framework for parent involvement in Pennsylvania schools. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires schools and school districts to adopt parent involvement policies to integrate certain parental involvement strategies and resources in school activities.  The bill died in the House. 

*Academic Improvement – Senate Bill 503 would have directed intermediate units to provide support and to coordinate academic improvement programs for certain school districts.  The bill passed unanimously in the Senate, but died in the House. 

* Head Start – Senate Democrats fought to prevent passage of a weak Republican-backed Head Start initiative. While support among Democrats for Head Start has not wavered, the watered-down Republican bill did not go far enough to provide early childhood education opportunities and represented a pale imitation of Gov. Rendell’s sweeping reforms. Under Senate Bill 60, which passed 37-12, more than 30,000 children eligible for Head Start would still have not had the opportunity to participate. The bill would not have made Head Start available to any child not already enrolled, and did not guarantee full-day Head Start even for those who are enrolled. The bill would have paid only day care for the half-day those students are not in Head Start. Democrats also argued that Republicans did not disclose a revenue source, even for the anemic $15 million they called for in the bill. The bill died in the House. 

*School Funding – Over the objections of Democratic leaders, Senate Republicans adjourned in July 2003 without a spending plan for schools and without any new ideas for education and tax reform.

Despite a warning from Gov. Rendell that their weak and watered down proposal would be vetoed if it reached his desk, the majority passed House Bill 564 before saying “our work is done,” and heading home.

House Bill 564 was a summer re-run of previous Republican education proposals that carried a nominal increase in education funding and ignored the reform measures endorsed by Pennsylvanians when they voted for governor. The measure contained no provisions for early childhood education, full-day kindergarten, and ignored the public’s cry for tax reform. The bill stalled in the House as Democrats fought for improved education funding. A compromise was reached just before Thanksgiving. 

*** Asthma Inhaler Guidelines – By a vote of 44-2, the Senate passed House Bill 1113, which requires school districts to develop a written policy to allow students to possess and self-administer asthma inhalers and asthma medicine in school. The bill was signed into law as Act 187 of 2004. 

*** Sheriff Death Benefit – By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House amendments to Senate Bill 931, extending the Police Officer, Firefighter, Corrections Employee and National Guard Member Child Beneficiary Education to the children of sheriffs or deputies killed in the line of duty. In 2003, eighteen students received the benefit. The bill was signed into law as Act 210 of 2004. 

* Reporting Process – The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1024, which would have required more specific information in the reporting process set up under the No Child Left Behind Act. The bill would have required schools to provide detailed information on students who were enrolled in a school for less than two years, students who are classified as Limited English Proficient and students with disabilities.  The bill died in the House. 

*** Library Staffing – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2726, extending the waiver for libraries on minimum staffing requirements. Libraries were relieved of the minimum staffing requirements for one year in 2003 after budget cuts. The bill extends the waiver for another year. It was approved unanimously in the House and signed by the Governor as Act 68 of 2004. 

*** Library Funding – The Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 748, allowing state money to flow to local libraries. The new law sets a funding formula for libraries and allows them to apply for a waiver of certain regulations that were tied to funding, such as hours of operation and training requirements. The bill was signed into law as Act 6 of 2004.

Environmental Resources and Energy

*** Local Tax Withholding for State Employees – By a 35-14 vote, the Senate passed House Bill 172, which amended the Administrative Code of 1929 to add a section permitting the state to withhold local tax fees for state employees.  

In addition, the new law provides for fees chargeable by the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Insurance and Labor & Industry and allows Pennsylvania’s school administrators in Philadelphia to use collective bargaining to designate the terms and conditions of their employment contracts. The bill also requires the Department of General Services to establish energy profiles for certain state buildings, listing the source and type and amount of fuel used, as well as other key building information, to monitor energy use.  The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 47 of 2003. 

* Hybrid Fuel Vehicle Reimbursement – Senate Bill 255, passed unanimously in the Senate, would have increased the reimbursement rates for maintaining or purchasing alternative fuel vehicles used by schools, municipal authorities, political subdivisions and nonprofits. Reimbursement rates would range from 20 to 50 percent.

The measure would also have created a rebate program for state residents who purchase a hybrid vehicle and would allow for more renewable energy projects to receive state grants. This program would have been funded through an existing gross receipts tax on utilities. The House never acted on the bill. 

*** Illegal Waste Dumping – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2029, which permits Philadelphia, which has adopted a home rule charter, to enforce ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to the illegal dumping or disposal of waste, trash or debris. This bill creates a freestanding act, which authorizes the city to impose new penalties for the violation of ordinances relating to so-called “short dumping”.  The bill was enacted as Act 227 of 2004. 

*** Forest Lands Beautification – House Bill 2227 unanimously passed the Senate. The bill amends the Forest Lands Beautification Act by allowing an additional 10-year

period during which the Forest Lands Beautification Restricted Account may receive funding, up to $300,000 annually, from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.  The bill was enacted as Act 139 of 2004.

*** Department of Education Grants – The Senate unanimously passed House Bill 2775, which permits the Department of Education to provide grants to schools, provide for professional development workshops, and evaluate curricula material and make it available to schools. Starting in 2005, the department will also have to submit annual reports to the chairs of the Education committees in the House and Senate. No grant can exceed $5,000. The bill was enacted as Act 231 of 2004.

*** Coal and Gas Resource Coordination – By unanimous vote, the Senate passed House Bill 2804, which amends the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act by changing the requirements for minimum distance between gas wells and by eliminating provisions for voluntary agreements and the validity of such agreements.  The bill was enacted as Act 171 of 2004.

*** Sale and Use of Fireworks