Finance 2017-2018
The Senate Finance Committee met Wednesday, January 31, 2018 and reported the following bills, unanimously, from committee:
As Amended
Senate Bill 370 (Folmer): Restricts future employees of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association from participating in the defined benefit pension plan managed by the Public School Employees’ Retirement System.
As Committed
Senate Bill 952 (Martin): Exempts food and beverage sold at volunteer fire company fundraisers from the sales and use tax.
House Bill 291 (Metzger): Reduces the inheritance tax rate to 0% upon the transfer of property to or for the use of a child 21 years of age or younger from a natural parent, adoptive parent or a stepparent of the child.
The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday, January 30, 2018, and reported the following bill from committee:
SB 114 (Eichelberger): Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to authorize a sewer authority to obtain a court order allowing it to terminate sewer service to commercial customers who are delinquent at least 6 months in payment of sewer bills. Before an authority can terminate service, one-week’s notice via certified mail; posting on the property 24 hours prior; and notification to local health department and DEP are required. Unanimously reported as committed.
Local Government Commission bills amending the following municipal codes to provide for concise publication of annual financial reporting information:
SB 771 (McGarrigle): Amends the Borough Code (Title 8) and Third Class City Code (Title 11)
SB 772 (McGarrigle): Amends the First Class Township Code (Act 331 of 1931)
SB 773 (McGarrigle): Amends Act 253 of 1929 (relating to Incorporated Towns)
Bills unanimously reported as committed.
HB 104 (Godshall): Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to require a municipal authority to publicly discuss all acquisitions and the sale or transfer of authority-owned water and sewer infrastructure and how the acquisition or sale will benefit the authority’s existing ratepayers; and requires annual reports within 180 days of the end of an authority’s fiscal year.
The following package of bills authorize local governments to implement storm water management ordinances and to assess a fee to fund the planning, management, implementation, construction and maintenance of storm water facilities:
HB 913 (Everett): Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns)
- A05642 (Hutchinson): Restricts fee revenues to only cover cost of federal compliance. Amendment failed by vote of 6-6.
HB 914 (Everett): Amends the Borough Code (Title 8)
- A05643 (Hutchinson): Restricts fee revenues to only cover cost of federal compliance. Amendment failed by vote of 6-6.
HB 915 (Everett): Amends the First Class Township Code (Act 331 of 1931)
- A05644 (Hutchinson:) Restricts fee revenues to only cover cost of federal compliance. Amendment failed by vote of 6-6.
HB 916 (Everett): Amends Title 11 (Cities)
- A05645 (Hutchinson): Restricts fee revenues to only cover cost of federal compliance. Amendment failed by vote of 6-6.
Bills reported as committed by a vote of 10-2.
HB 1364 (James): Local Government Commission bill amends Act 78 of 1979 (“No Bid” Law) to provide for the award of contract for services when no bids are received. Unanimously reported as committed.
The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday, October 17, 2017, and reported the following bill from committee:
As Amended:
HB 984 (Mako): This bill extends the income tax check-off for the Military Family Relief Assistance Program. Senator Hutchinson offered Amendment A03866, which extends the expiration to January 1, 2023, rather than indefinitely. The amendment and the bill were unanimously adopted.
The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday, February 7, 2017 and reported the following bills from committee:
As Committed
Senate Bill 7 (Folmer): Establishes the “Taxpayer Protection Act” to limit the growth of state government spending.
Senate Bill 173 (Bartolotta): A Joint Resolution amending the Pennsylvania Constitution to limit the growth of state government spending.
Senate Bill 201 (Folmer): This bill provides for classes of income by adding that the requirements of §1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1031), referring to property that has been exchanged for similar property, shall be applicable. Senator Hughes offered an amendment that would have increased the poverty level exemption to $10,500. However, Senator Hutchinson made a motion to table the amendment and by a party line vote, 8-4, the amendment was tabled.
Senate Bill 202 (Eichelberger): Allows a small business to use the Net Operating Loss deduction. Senator Hughes offered an amendment that would have reduced the PIT to 2003 levels. However, Senator Eichelberger made a motion to table the amendment and by a party line vote, 8-4, the amendment was tabled.
Senate Bill 203 (Hutchinson): Increases the amount small businesses can deduct for depreciable property purchases to mirror the IRS limit.
Senator John Blake
Committee Chair