Veterans’ Affairs & Emergency Preparedness 2013-2014

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on September 23, 2014 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Amended

Senate Bill 1429 (White) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to remove the five-year sunset in order for fire companies to receive total amount of grants indefinitely for those fire companies that consolidate.

As Committed

Senate Bill 1480 (Mensch) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to give tax exemptions to out of state businesses who are working in the state during Presidential or Gubernatorial declared disasters.

Senate Resolution 448 (Mensch) – Urges Congress to appropriate a 3% salary increase instead of the 1% increase they have given to military personnel.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on June 25 2014, and unanimously reported out the following:

As Committed

Senate Bill 1266 (Solobay) Amending the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, extending the deadline for families to file for benefits from 90 days to 3 years, mimicing federal law.

Senate Bill 1274 (Solobay) Requires newly constructed buildings using lightweight materials to post a sign by the entrance for the notification of emergency firefighters who might have to enter the building.

Senate Bill 1423 (Mensch) Adjusts the Volunteer Loan and Assistance Program to include an increase in loan opportunities for heavy duty rescue trucks.

House Bill 2275 (Barrar) Extends the sunset on E-911 funding from June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2015.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 and reported out the following:

As Committed

SB 1342  (Baker) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) providing for incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies.

SB 1377  (Mensch) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) in emergency telephone service, further providing for expiration of chapter.

SR 397 (Mensch) – A Resolution urging the President of the United States and the Congress to immediately consider and pass H.R. 3930, which establishes the National Commission on the Structure of the Army.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on April 29, 2014 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Amended

SB 1129 (Robbins) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) in veterans’ pensions and benefits further providing for Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension. It would rename the pension to “Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension.” The bill aims to make sure those with a disability compensation rating of 40% or higher in two or more limbs are the ones covered in this section of the law.

As Committed

SB 1224 (Vance) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) in long-term patient access to pharmaceuticals to include assisted living residences and personal care homes so veterans in those facilities can also acquire lower cost drugs through the United State Department of Veterans Affairs.


The Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Committed

HB 807 (Harper): An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for funds to by provide for the ability of two or more fire companies to send duly elected delegates to a statewide association or corporation meeting when each fire company belongs to a single relief association.

As Amended

SB 1146 (Baker): An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for Veterans’ Trust Fund and creates a Honoring our Veterans license plate for motorcycles.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 and reported out the following unanimously:

As Amended

SB 771 (Gordner): Amends  The Administrative Code of 1929 to provide for the State Geospatial Coordinating Board.

As Committed

SB 720 (Baker): Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for the Pennsylvania Disaster Emergency Assistance Program; establish the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program and the Public Disaster Assistance Grant Program; provide for the deposit of liquor tax revenues into the Disaster Emergency Assistance Account; and make an appropriation.

HB 1285 (Cutler): Amends  The Administrative Code of 1929 to provide for the State Geospatial Coordinating Board.

HB 1706 (Baker): Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in emergency services, to change implementing authority from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner; further provide for assistance to volunteer fire companies, ambulance service and rescue squads and for powers and duties; and make editorial changes.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on October 22, 2013 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Amended

SB 923 (Baker): Amends Title 51 with regards to  expanding and extending the Military Family Relief Assistance Program.

As Committed

SB 1115 (Robbins):  Amends Title 51 with regards to the Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program to help ensure proper distribution of federal and state financial aid.


The Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Military Preparedness Committee met on October 1, 2013 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Committed

HB 88 (R. Miller): Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rights and immunities, further providing for leaves of absence for certain government employees.

SR 161 (Kitchen): Urges the Congress of the United States to commend Korean-American veterans of the Vietnam Conflict for their valor and loyal service to the United States.

Gone Over

SB 923 (Baker): Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to further provide for Veterans’ Trust Fund and for military family relief assistance.


The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on Tuesday, May 14, to consider the following:

As Committed

SB 586 (Brubaker): Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in ownership of property and legal title and equitable estate, further providing for right to dispose of a decedent’s remains. The bill was reported as committed on a vote of 11-0.

SB 886 (Dinniman): Protects the Medal of Honor against its diminution by those who falsely claim to be recipients of our nation’s highest military honor. The bill was reported as committed on a vote of 11-0.

SR 104 (Solobay): Calls on Congress to support and pass legislation that would exempt military technicians from sequestration (by including them in military personnel accounts now and in the


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on April 30, 2013 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Committed

House Bill 107 (Heffley): Amends Title 51 to recognize military service in the state certification process and the credentials of military spouses who hold equivalent certification in other states.

House Bill 119 (Marshall): Establishes the Fallen EMS Memorial Flag.

House Bill 583 (Barrar): Amends Title 35 for county 911 consolidation/ joint purchasing.

Senate Bill 373 (Baker): Amends Title 51 to clarify the residency requirement for tuition waivers for children and souses of deceased soldiers.

Senate Bill 374 (Baker): Clarifies the residency requirement for tuition waivers for children and spouses of deceased soldiers under PHEAA’s Post-secondary Educational Gratuity Program.

Senate Bill 403 (Hutchinson): Amends Title 51 to provide for the retention of medical resident physicians of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Senate Bill 707 (Solobay): Amends Title 35 to allow funds donated to fire companies to be used for emergency medical services training and paramedic training.


The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met on February 5, 2013 and unanimously reported out the following:

As Committed

Senate Bill 302 (Baker): Amends the County Code to expand and clarify the duties and responsibilities pertaining to the position of county director of veterans’ affairs.