Appropriations 2021-2022

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The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, October 26, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

House Bill 284 (Metcalfe) – Amends Title 37 (Historical and Museums) making changes to the administration of the State Archives, archival records and other public records managed by the PA Historical and Museum Commission

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 397 (Owlett) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to expand the process for a municipality for rejecting a tax credit by providing for resolutions. This is fixing contradictions from legislation allowing for municipal tax credits for an active volunteer Fire or EMS company.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact on commonwealth and local funds due to the ability to levy administrative fees to help cover any costs.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 609 (Emrick) – Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law offering clarifications and updating the law to reflect current practice

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 668 (James) – Amends the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act adding a member to the Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board from the coal refuse energy and reclamation industry

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 1059 (Hickernell) – Amends Section 325 of the Tax Reform Code to increase the threshold requirement for the declaration of estimated tax. –

Amendment A05857, providing for the PA EDGE tax credit program and increased allocation to the PHARE Program, was adopted 21-3, with Senators Haywood Kearney and Saval voting no.
Fiscal Impact: The enactment of House Bill 1059, Printer’s Number 3497 would impact the cash flow of the General Fund, resulting in revenue losses over several years. The amendment A05857 would increase tax credits available by up to $142M annually.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee 21-3, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Saval voting no.

House Bill 1103 (Gillespie) – Amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to clarify newspaper advertising and late fees regarding a storage unit rental

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 1328 (Greiner) – Amends the CPA Law to update provisions relating to peer review requirements, code of ethics and education courses

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 1630 (Fritz) – Amends the Human Services Code to allow the Auditor General to audit subcontracts with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. The bill also abrogates certain regulations reflecting actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2057 (Roae) – Amends Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) making updates to corporation laws and making conforming changes to Title 54 (Names)

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2086 (Kerwin) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) authorizing PA National Guard members to drive commonwealth vehicles

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2214 (Klunk) – Amends Title 67 (Public Welfare) to render void certain indemnification clauses in children and youth services contracts

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 2214 should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds. To the extent the voiding of agreement provisions may open CCYAs and/or municipal government entities to lawsuits, there may be a cost to those entities.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2293 (Bonner) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act add a new chapter on temporary health care services agencies

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no impact on commonwealth funds due to provisions providing for an annual registration fee to cover any costs.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2398 (Oberlander) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to authorize the operation of highly automated vehicles in the Commonwealth and create a penalty for theft of catalytic converters

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of House Bill 2398, Printer’s Number 3256 would result in one-time costs of roughly $400,000. The department should be able to meet the requirements of the remaining provisions of the bill using current operating budgets
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 19-5, with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting no.

House Bill 2447 (Benninghoff) – Creates the Russia and Belarus Divestiture Act providing for divestiture by the State Treasurer, the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS), and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (PMRS) of investments in assets relating to Russia and Belarus

Fiscal Impact: The IFO estimated in their letter that the maximum total potential impact on the public pension funds is $5.5 million, of which an estimated $1.4 million would be reimbursable by the Commonwealth.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2484 (Mizgorski) – Amends Title 65 (Public Officers) extend requirements for the filing of a statement of financial disclosure to write-in candidates receiving a nomination or being elected to an office

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2528 (Struzzi) – Amends Title 58 (Oil and Gas) requiring DEP to prioritize awarding well plugging contracts to PA companies before consideration of companies out-of-state

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

House Bill 2648 (Lawrence) – Amends the Administrative Code making changes in the Office of Inspector General relating to the Unemployment Compensation Law and E-Verify

Fiscal Impact: According to DGS, at least one additional attorney position would be needed to adequately enforce the proposed changes applicable to EVP. DGS estimates that it would need $130,000 for one additional attorney.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 22-2 with Senators Kearney and Saval voting no.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

HB 1393 (Struzzi) – Amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to clarify the definition of “drug paraphernalia”

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1731 (Mizgorski) – Establishes the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Greater Father Involvement within the Joint State Government Commission

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1829 (Ecker) – Amends the Child Labor Act to remove the requirement that a minor seeking a work permit show up in-person to sign the permit and be examined by the issuing officer

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1866 (Boback) – Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) & 67 (Public Welfare) to provide for judicial determinations, services and data collection relating to older foster youth and their transition out of foster care

Fiscal Impact: To the extent counties award permanent legal custodianship subsidies and adoption opportunity payments, additional costs may be incurred by the commonwealth and counties.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1988 (Owlett) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) & 53 (Municipalities Generally) to allow for the certification of campus police officers by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2079 (Delozier) – Amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to permit the use of alternate refrigerants as allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2216 (Mizgorski) – Amends Title 74 to consolidate current statues governing the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank and the State Railroad Infrastructure Bank

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2361 (Pennycuick) – Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to recognize and designate June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Day”

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2458 (White) – Establishes the Philadelphia Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Export Task Force

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 20-4, with Senator Kearney, Saval, Street, Hughes voting no.

HB 2586 (Boback) – Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to recognize and designate March 29 of each year as “Tuskegee Airman Commemoration Day”

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2633 (Topper) – Amends Title 5 (Athletics and Sports) to revise the Uniform Athlete Agents Act, establishing the Revised Uniform Athlete Agent Act and repealing and reestablishing Article XX-K of the Public School Code with revisions in the title

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2800 (Hickernell) – Amends the Medical Practice Act relating to the licensure of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists and orthotic fitters

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 24, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 140 (MALONEY) – Amends Title 75 to update vehicle parking regulations to permit the construction of protected bike lanes and pedestrian plazas

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds due to costs incurred by the Attorney General’s Office.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 15-8 on a party line vote.

HB 2373 (DIAMOND) – Amends The Administrative Code to provide for the transferring of authority over the Lt. Governor’s Mansion to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2525 (KAUFER) – Amends Title 18 to provide for crime victim right of access to criminal history investigative information for use in civil lawsuits

Amendment A05097, removing a definition of “emotional distress” which is not mentioned in the bill and making a technical change, was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 2525 may have fiscal impact on Commonwealth and local funds to the extent that criminal justice agencies must respond to requests for information whether the request is granted or denied, which will likely result in some increased workload to staff.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 22-1, with Senator Street voting no.

HB 2527 (QUINN) – Amends the Controlled Substance, drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to change references to naloxone, replacing it with “opioid antagonist”

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 139 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for the observance of September 11 in schools.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 822 (PHIL-HILL) – An act providing a process for private and not-for-profit museums and historical societies to establish title to property that has been donated after a loan period has terminated and the lender cannot be found

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1226 (BAKER) – Amends Titles 18 & 42 to provide for a standardized and expedited method for expungement of juvenile records

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a 23 Y – 1 N vote, with Senator Langerholc voting no.

SB 1227 (BAKER) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide services for dependent and delinquent juveniles consistent with those of the Juvenile Act

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1228 (BAKER) – Amends Title 42 to require courts to hold disposition review hearings at least every three months to ensure that a child committed to out-of-home placement is receiving necessary services and treatment

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1229 (BAKER) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide funding for indigent juvenile defense services and makes certain editorial edits

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Human Services (DHS) estimates an annual commonwealth cost of $906,000 associated with this legislation. County costs would be reduced by an equal amount.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1282 (PITTMAN) – Amends the Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act to further provide for definitions and extending protections to Land Banks

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 103 (SCHMITT) – Amends Titles 18 and 42 to further provide for the offense of harassment of law enforcement officer

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 103 may impact on Commonwealth and local funds to the extent there are additional convictions which will result in individuals serving sentences either in a state correctional institution or a county jail, depending upon the sentence received.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a 19 Y – 4 N vote, with Senators Street, Saval, Kearney and Hughes voting no.

HB 220 (RADER) – Amends the Administrative Code relating to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) ability to prohibit treatment and rehabilitation facilities from denying addiction treatment to an individual solely due to a negative drug test

Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2209 (MAJOR) – Amends Title 68 to allow a land bank board to establish a virtual quorum via internet platform to conduct a board meeting

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2210 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act to expand the definition of party of interest to include land banks

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2538 (DELROSSO) – Amends the State Lottery Law to extend the mandated minimum profit margin of 20% until 2029

Fiscal Impact: This legislation will preserve approximately $200 million in annual profits beginning in the 2024-25 fiscal year for five years .
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 1225 (Mensch) – Amends The Insurance Company Law to further provide for coverage of MRI’s and ultrasounds for individuals with dense breasts

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds under provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act but is not expected to do so.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1243 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Public School Code to require completion of a one half credit economics and personal finance course as a graduation requirement

Amendment A05675, delaying the effective date to July 2024 and adding a provision allowing a student completing the economics and personal finance course to apply one-half credit earned to satisfy other graduation requirements, was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: The Department of Education estimates minimal fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds. The legislation would incur significant costs to implement for each school entity, according to the department.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee by a 16-7 vote, with Senators Flynn, Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting no.

SB 1317 (BROWNE) – Creates the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee and the Indigent Defense Grant Program within PCCD

Fiscal Impact: This legislation may have an impact on Commonwealth and local funds, depending on future appropriations towards the grant program and PCCD operations.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1321 (BAKER) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to allow a grantor of an irrevocable trust the choice to remain legally obligated to pay state income tax on the trust’s income

Amendment A05671, a technical amendment, was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1330 (K. WARD) – Amends The Insurance Company Law to provide for coverage of genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations for individuals at increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer

Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 365 (HARKINS) – Amends the Public School Code to remove derogatory terms relating to disabilities

Amendment A05694, stipulating that $1M allocated to PDE for PA Chartered Schools for Dead and Blind Children in FY 22-23 shall be divided equally between each school, was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill as amended was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1486 (O’NEAL) – Amends Title 75 to provide for a Blue Star Family license plate

Fiscal Impact: This legislation would require PennDOT to create the specialty license plate, the total cost of which would be minimal. The plates would create additional revenue for the Motor License Fund based on the $23 fee.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1958 (HENNESSEY) – Amends Title 75 to allow for point reduction through completion of a driver improvement course

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2667 (MERCURI) – Amends Title 7 (Banks and Banking) to provide for the regulation of remote mortgage brokers

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on the Banking Trust Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, July 7, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 129 (FONTANA) – Enacts the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 589 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 53 to provide an alternative process for the formation of a government study commission to consider home rule for municipalities currently in the Act 47 recovery program

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1123 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 75 to allow tow truck operators to use rear-facing blue lights while responding to a disabled vehicle

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1135 (SAVAL) – Establishes the Housing Stabilization Initiative Act

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Community and Economic Development estimates that they will need $1.5 million to operate if this legislation is enacted. The department currently does not have the staff to support this program, so this estimate includes nine additional staff members. Additionally, this estimate includes $500,000 for IT needs.
- Note: This is based on the underlying bill and not on the bill as amended.
Amendment A05337- Adds an appropriation from $125,000,000 in Federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Phillips-Hill and Martin voting in the negative.

HB 1342 (RADER) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to provide an exemption from the inheritance tax for property that is transferred as the result of a decedent military member

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Revenue anticipates a minimal negative impact on General Fund revenue as a result of this legislation.
- Note: This is based on the underlying bill and not on the bill as amended.
Amendment A05364- Omnibus Amendment with various changes to the Tax Code.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Saval voting in the negative.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Saval voting in the negative.

HB 1420 (THOMAS) – Amends the Human Services Code to direct the Department of Human Services to establish a public awareness campaign for mental health services for first responders, health care workers and other front-line workers

Fiscal Impact: The department estimates implementing this public awareness campaign may cost $1.5 million. Costs may be covered under additional federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
- Note: This is based on the underlying bill and not on the bill as amended.
Amendment A05340- Omnibus Amendment with various changes to the Human Services Code.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 2426 (HICKERNELL) – Reenacts in Title 67 the Resource Family Care Act and the Resource Family ad Adoption Process Act and makes minor changes

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Human Services (DHS) notes that while the requirements in House Bill 2426 largely mirror existing law, additional staff resources are necessary at the county level to ensure an adequate workforce to oversee and enforce the requirements of this act. The department estimates a state cost of $6.3 million and a county cost of $1.6 million in order to come into compliance.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2604 (TWARDZIK) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act requirements regarding photo identification badges in health care facilities

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2702 (HENNESSEY) – A freestanding act providing for the highway capital budget project itemization for FY 2022-2023

Fiscal Impact: The bill provides for the highway capital budget project itemization for fiscal year 2022-2023 to be financed by the incurring of debt or from current revenues of the Motor License Fund.
Amendment A05265- Adds additional projects to the bill.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, July 6, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 676 (PITTMAN) – Amends Title 75, specifically the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, regarding stacking of insurance coverage limits

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have minimal impact on commonwealth funds but may impact affordability for individual motorists.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 324 (WHITE) – Amends the First Class City Business Tax Reform Act of 1984 to further provide for the definition of net operating loss

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will not impact commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 430 (EMRICK) – Amends the Local Tax Collection Law to provide a waiver of additional charges for real estate taxes within the first year of ownership if the real estate tax notice was not received

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the General Fund or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 581 (SOLOMON) – Creates the Affordable Housing Unit Tax Exemption Act

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Any reductions in local tax revenues during an abatement period is at the discretion of the local taxing authority.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 773 (QUINN) – Creates “Deana’s Law,” amending Title 75 to increase certain gradings for DUI offenses, and to require consecutive sentencing for certain repeat DUI offenders

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 773 is likely to have substantial fiscal impact on Commonwealth and local funds due to numerous factors. The increase in grading for the above listed offenses and the requirement for sentences to be served consecutively would likely cause a substantial increase in the length of sentences being imposed which would result in an increase in the number of people serving sentences in state correctional institutions and increase the number of years people would serve on parole and probation supervision following incarceration. See the Fiscal Note for further analysis.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee was reported out committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 Nwith Senators Haywood, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.

HB 1410 (FEE) – Establishes the Weigh Station Preclearance Program

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact Commonwealth funds but no estimates can be provided at this time. For further information, please see the Fiscal Note.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1594 (TOMLINSON) – Amends the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to provide for high-volume, third-party sellers on online marketplaces

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 1594 should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, the office anticipates an increase in staff workload, but that it may be managed within current budgetary limits.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2464 (DELOZIER) – Amends the Crime Victims Act to grant victims legal standing to assert and enforce rights otherwise afforded to crime victims by law

Fiscal Impact: This legislation has a potential impact of $1.51 million to the Crime Victims Services and Compensation Fund. From this annual increase, $1.132 million is reimbursable to the fund through federal funding. The annual impact of nonreimbursable funding is $377,537.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Saval and Street voting in the negative.

HB 2644 (CAUSER) – Establishes Chapter 28 in Title 58 to address oil and gas well plugging oversight and establishes the Oil and Gas Well Plugging Grant Program

Fiscal Impact: The legislation would result in the loss of federal funding and have implications on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 2679 (HICKERNELL) – Amends the Pharmacy Act of 1961 pertaining to COVID-19 and influenza immunization administration

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 29, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 29, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 1203 (ARGALL) – Establishes the Restrictions for Associations with Russia and Belarus Act

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds. Costs related to implementation should be minimal and covered within current operating budgets.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 940 (RIGBY) – Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 35 (Health and Safety), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for certain sentence enhancements, injured police animals, good Samaritan civil immunity and canine training standards

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of House Bill 940 may have fiscal impact on Commonwealth and local funds to the extent that the sentencing enhancements and new offenses created under Title 18 result in defendants being sentenced to longer periods of incarceration both in state and county prisons.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 1561 (FARRY) – Amends the Mental Health Procedures Act to further clarify confidentiality practices

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1563 (CUTLER) – Amends the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act to modernize confidentiality provisions

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1614 (WARNER) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to change the requirement for the number of ballots to be provided to an election district

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds, but may impact local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1615 (TOPPER) – Amends the Liquor Code to clarify that malt or brewed beverages produced for a brewery by a manufacturer out-of-state must be distributed through the three-tier system

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. To the extent these changes expand sales, additional tax revenues may be realized.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1867 (BOBACK) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for the Purple Star School Program, to identify and assist students of transient military personnel

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds but may require additional local resources to implement provisions of this act.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1935 (WHITE) – Amends Act 6 of 1911, the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class, to extend oversight by the authority

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact Commonwealth funds and is necessary for the financial management and fiscal health of the City of Philadelphia.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1952 (THOMAS) – Amends The Administrative Code to provide for a Commonwealth infrastructure committee for the U.S. Semiquincentennial celebration

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2032 (SCHROEDER) – Amends the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to create an exception to a health care reporting requirement when a sexual assault victim wishes to remain anonymous, and requires the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct a study to analyst the resources necessary to implement a rape kit tracking system in Pennsylvania

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2157 (FARRY) – Amends Title 3 to provide for the sale and use of fireworks

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact General Fund tax revenue and license fee revenue beginning in fiscal year 2022-23. For more information on out-year impacts, please see the Fiscal Note.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 19 Y – 5 N with Senators Haywood, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.

HB 2401 (WHEELAND) – Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to authorize certified registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to order and oversee orders for home health services

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2526 (HENNESSEY) – Highway-Railroad and Highway Bridge Capital Budget Supplemental Act for 2021-2022

Fiscal Impact: The bill provides for the itemization of additional state and local bridge projects as well as for the highway capital budget project itemization for fiscal year 2022-2023 to be financed by the incurring of debt or from current revenues of the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Kearney, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 28, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 225 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Insurance Company Law to streamline and standardize the process for prior authorization of medical services

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation, as drafted, may have a significant fiscal impact on commonwealth funds, particularly in the Medical Assistance (MA) program. Medical Assistance is the name of Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, with benefits administered mainly through managed care organizations (MCOs).
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senator Hughes and Street voting in the negative.

SB 1152 (MASTRIANO) – Establishes the Overdose Mapping Act

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth and local funds. See Fiscal Note for further information.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1201 (PITTMAN) – Requires health insurance policies to cover prescription eye drop refills at 70% of the prescribed duration

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1277 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to adopt a policy to provide parental notification of instructional materials and books containing sexually explicit content

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact Commonwealth funds. School districts may require additional staff to meet the requirements of this act, resulting in a local fiscal impact.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

SB 1278 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to adopt a policy to provide greater transparency for parents surrounding a student’s mental, emotional or physical health or well-being

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds, but may have an indeterminable cost to local entities and/or individuals.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 129 (COX) – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to require the Board of Review to revise its rules to modernize the methods by which unemployment compensation hearings are held

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) estimates the legislation would result in a $595,915 one-time expense for equipment and installation costs and $163,990 in mail costs per year to transition to videoconferencing as the default arrangement for hearings. The funding stream for these costs is the UC Administration Fund, which receives federal funding for use as the primary source of revenue for the administration of the Commonwealth’s UC system. There is no guarantee that such federal funds will be available to fund this transition.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

HB 146 (BERNSTINE) – Amends Title 61 to preclude the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole from paroling an inmate at the expiration of a minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice offense while incarcerated

Fiscal Impact: The Administration expects fiscal implications from this legislation’s provisions prohibiting the release of incarcerated individuals convicted of enumerated offenses to parole at the expiration of their minimum sentences. However, an estimate of costs is indeterminable at this time as it is unclear how the parole prohibition would apply to certain minimum sentences.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 19 Y – 5 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voting in the negative.

HB 1598 (BOBACK) – Transfers the responsibility of managing the National Flood Insurance Program from the Department of Community and Economic Development to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1665 (QUINN) – Amends Act 164 of 1970, an Act relating to indemnification agreements between architects, engineers or surveyors and owners, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers, by prohibiting certain indemnity clauses in snow removal and ice control service contracts

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1780 (ARMANINI) – Amends the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act to extend the Underground Storage Tank Environmental Cleanup Program and the Underground Storage Tank Pollution Prevention Program from June 30, 2022 to December 31, 2027

Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2039 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Crime Victims Act to require that a victim be notified of court proceedings where a defendant’s bail could be modified and to require that the victim be given the opportunity to offer comment

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds or local funds.
Amendment A05095- Changes the effective date from 120 days to 180 days.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of 20 Y- 4 N with Senators Saval, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

HB 2097 (HAMM) – Extends the EMS Staffing Waiver through April 29, 2027

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2412 (C. WILLIAMS) – Amends Title 51 to provide for the use of the Pennsylvania National Guard for special state duty for cybersecurity operations, exercises, or training

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 22, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 145 (BROOKS) – Amends Title 75 to exempt municipal trucks from the Department of Transportation’s bonding of restricted highways, except bridges, and extends the sunset date to December 31, 2028, for Letters of Local Determination to haul timber.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 892 (LAUGHLIN) – Amends Title 75 to create an electric low-speed scooter (e-scooter) pilot program in a city of the second class A and third class.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1188 (BROOKS) – Establishes the Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Illness Diagnosis and Treatment Act.

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Health anticipates costs for both complement and maintenance of the registry required in the act. At the time of this fiscal analysis, no specific estimates had been made available. The Department of Human Services has expressed concerns requiring Medical Assistance or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage for any testing, treatment or other services not currently covered under those programs may increase costs. Also, if any of the coverage required is for experimental or other services not meeting Medicaid definitions for eligibility, the full cost will fall to the commonwealth without a federal cost-share. It is not possible to estimate possible costs for prospective claims made under this act.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Haywood voting in the negative.

SB 1194 (MENSCH) – Establishes the Military College of Pennsylvania Educational Assistance Program.

Fiscal Impact: DMVA expects to be able to absorb the immediate cost of this program with their Educational Assistance programs appropriations. However, additional appropriations may be required in future years.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 331 (R. BROWN) – Creates the freestanding Incentive Based Savings Program Act.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the General Fund or Banking Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2419 (PICKETT) – Amends the Outpatient Psychiatric Oversight Act to remove statutory requirements giving greater latitude in the issuance of waivers.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2420 (QUINN) – Provides for a rate adjustment for pilot fees on the Delaware River and Bay.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

APPROPRIATIONS BILLS

Note: The bills below were considered as a package and were reported unanimously.

HB 2653 (SAYLOR) – Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation reflect amounts as recommended by the Governor’s Executive Budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

HB 2654 (SAYLOR) – Workmen’s Compensation Act funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation reflect amounts as recommended by the Governor’s Executive Budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

HB 2655 (SAYLOR) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The appropriation provided in House Bill 2655 reflects a decrease of $71,000 from the amount appropriated in the current 2021-22 fiscal year.

HB 2656 (SAYLOR) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2022-23

Fiscal Impact: The appropriation noted above reflects the amount identical to that appropriated in the current 2021-2022 fiscal year. The Governor’s 2022-2023 Executive Budget recommends the same appropriation in the upcoming budget year.

HB 2657 (SAYLOR) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation would appropriate $55.467 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and $949,000 from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2022-23 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans. The appropriations provided for in House Bill 2657 reflect an increase of $3.173 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and a decrease of $6,000 from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund.

HB 2658 (SAYLOR) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation would appropriate $34.048 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and $4.431 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2022-23 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans. The appropriations provided for in House Bill 2658 reflect an increase of $979,000 and $33,000 from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and SERS Defined Contribution Fund, respectively.

HB 2659 (SAYLOR) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: House Bill 2659 appropriates $2.679 million from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and $200,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for fiscal year 2022-23. The appropriations provided for in House Bill 2659 reflect a decrease of $70,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and an increase of $100,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund.

HB 2661 (SAYLOR) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation would appropriate $80.091 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and $5.183 million from federal funds to the PUC for fiscal year 2022-23. The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 1113 reflect an increase of $1.614 million and $55,000 from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and federal funds to the PUC, respectively.

HB 2662 (SAYLOR) – Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: House Bill 2662 appropriates $92.107 million from the State Gaming Fund, $518,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 20, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 1124 (ARGALL) – Amends the Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to check death certificate records monthly against a list of recipients of the Medical Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits (SNAP) programs.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth or federal funds. The department already has state and federally required systems in place to ensure no deceased person continues to receive benefits.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 15 Y – 9 N with all Democratic Senators voting in the negative.

SB 1171 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 75 to require a minimum number of axles to haul pulpwood or wood chips

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1421 (THOMAS) – Amends Title 51 by increasing the burial detail daily stipend allowance.

Fiscal Impact: In consultation with DMVA, there are currently 250 burial days at three cemeteries annually. The department anticipates needing an increase of $75,000 in the appropriation to cover the increase from $150 to $250.
Amendment A0488 – Moves the effective date from 60 days to 30.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 14, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 447 (BROOKS) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to reduce the corporate net income tax rate.

Fiscal Impact: The cumulative negative fiscal impact to the General Fund for FY2021-2027 would be $3.5 billion. The negative full-year fiscal impact to the General Fund for each percentage point reduction to the corporate net income tax rate is around $400 to $450 million.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

SB 569 (ARGALL) – Establishes the Correctional and Forensic Employees Investigation Procedure Act.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have implications on both state and federal funds. Please see the fiscal note for additional information.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Hughes voting in the negative.

SB 617 (TARTAGLIONE) – Establishes the Pennsylvania Family and Medical Leave Act.

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) anticipates a first full year cost of $562,436 to carry out its responsibilities under the act, which consists of $512,436 for personnel (investigators) and a one-time amount of $50,000 for related equipment (computers, phones, etc.). Second year costs are estimated at $522,684 for personnel. The legislation stipulates that L&I shall not be required to enforce this act until adequate funding is appropriated.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 691 (GORDNER) – Amends Title 42 to add a second judge to the Court of Common Pleas in the Twentieth Judicial District, and a third judge in the Court of Common Pleas in the Twenty-sixth Judicial District.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could have minimal fiscal impact commonwealth funds beginning in fiscal years 2023-2024 through 2024-2025.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 771 (AUMENT) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to reduce the corporate net income tax rate

Fiscal Impact: The cumulative negative fiscal impact to the General Fund for FY2021-2027 would be $3.5 billion. However, if the tax is reduced from 6.99% to 5.99%, General Fund revenues would be reduced by an additional $375.1 million in FY2026-27. The negative full-year fiscal impact to the General Fund for each percentage point reduction to the corporate net income tax rate is around $400 to $450 million.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

SB 1083 (BAKER) – Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to provide for eligibility of spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces in certain circumstances, and to make technical changes to the Shared-Work Program.

Fiscal Impact: The legislation is not anticipated to have an impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1100 (BROWNE) – General Appropriations Act of 2022.

Fiscal Impact: Amounts included in Senate Bill 1100 reflect the final enacted appropriations for the 2021-22 fiscal year, including federal appropriations from the COVID Response Restricted Account used to supplement state expenditures. It is expected these amounts are placeholders for a revised 2022-23 budget proposal.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1105 (BROWNE) – University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Activities and the Center for Infectious Disease funding for FY2022-2023.

Amendment 04582 was adopted unanimously.

Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 1105 will cost the Commonwealth a total of $33,553,000 in Fiscal Year 2022-23. The funding level represents an increase of $1,598,000, or 5%, when considering the current (2021-22) fiscal year’s budget.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

SB 1283 (BROWNE) – Funding for State-Related Universities for FY 2022-2023.

Fiscal Impact: Appropriations are the same as in current fiscal year 2021-2022. Historically, each higher education institution’s nonpreferred appropriations have been individual pieces of legislation.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Gebhard voting in the negative.

SB 1284 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania State University Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund funding for FY2022-2023.

Fiscal Impact: The General Appropriations Act appropriates annually funding from the General Fund to be transferred to the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund for this purpose. Therefore, the exact amount included with this legislation is unknown at this time.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1868 (MAKO) – Amends Title 63 to add provisions relating to military and veterans’ licensure.

Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of State, enactment of this legislation would result in an estimated one-time cost of $164,000 to the department to make updates to the Pennsylvania Licensure System (PALS). This legislation may also require the hiring of additional staff depending on the number of new applicants.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 13, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 669 (REGAN) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to mandate that local police departments allow police officers to purchase pension service credit for prior service time at other police departments.

Fiscal Impact: The IFO estimates that there are 900 plans that would be subject to the bill including 11,748 active members. Of these members, 10% will purchase an average of three years of service credit at a $36,400 net cost to the employer. The estimated increase in the Unfunded Actuarial Liability of the retirement plans, based on these numbers, would be $40.6 million (11,748 x 10% x $34,600). While there would be some reduction in that total number based on individuals who are served by the Municipal Retirement System (around 25% of retirement plans) who are already eligible to purchase credits, the impact is unknown at this point.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Saval and Kearney voting in the negative.

SB 907 (YAW) – Freestanding act establishing the (Domestic) Animal Welfare Board.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 907 may have an impact on Commonwealth funds to the extent that members may seek reimbursement for expenses related to board duties and the board incurs expenses related to the administration of board duties; however, as written, the bill does not directly provide for the payment of such expenses. Therefore, we must assume that the board would conduct its duties without reimbursement or would have little to no anticipated expenses.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1052 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for emergency meeting powers and local emergency officer succession. A Local Government Commission bill.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1093 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971 relating to energy efficient lighting.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Highway Beautification Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1159 (BROOKS) – Amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act extending the deadline for club use of 60% of collections to cover general operating expenses from June 19, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1173 (MARTIN) – Amends The Dental Law allow for up to three hours of the already mandated continuing education credit requirements to be accrued by those participating in volunteer dental, hygiene or dental assisting practices at volunteer clinics or charitable events.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1199 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Port of Pittsburgh Commission Act, modernizing the Board.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Port of Pittsburgh Commission Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1208 (BROWNE) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) relating to the collections of unpaid fees, fines and restitution. This is a compromise based on concerns in last Session’s SB 516.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 1208 should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds as there are currently default procedures that courts follow, as well as provisions for submitting delinquent dockets for collection. The bill enables dockets that previously were unable to be sent to collections to now be referred provided the new hearing provisions have been followed. Enactment of the bill may increase revenue to Commonwealth and local funds to the extent that cases with outstanding financial obligations are sent to collections and those collection efforts are successful.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1237 (VOGEL) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) extending the temporary regulations for horse racing set to expire in October 2022 for another three years.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 1106 (BROWNE) – Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04397 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1107 (BROWNE) – Workmen’s Compensation Act funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04388 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1108 (BROWNE) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04390 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1109 (BROWNE) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: The appropriation reflects the amount identical to that appropriated in the current 2021-2022 fiscal year, as the Governor’s 2022-2023 Executive Budget recommended.

SB 1110 (BROWNE) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04394 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1111 (BROWNE) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04395 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1112 (BROWNE) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04396 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1113 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04389 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1114 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board funding for FY 2022-2023

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.
- Amendment A04392 – Increases appropriations to reflect those requested by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Following passage of the amendment, the appropriations match the request from the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

SB 1222 (DISANTO) – Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 to adopt the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ model for conducting a group capital calculation and liquidity stress test

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds. Failure to adopt these amendments risks the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s accreditation with NAIC and compliance with international agreements between the United States, United Kingdom and European Union that require action before November 2022.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 6, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 522 (BAKER) – Establishes the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may result in increased costs in the Medical Assistance and Early Intervention programs, as well as to the Department of Health to create a statewide registry as prescribed by the bill.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 597 (STEFANO) – Amends Title 27 to provide for water and wastewater asset management plans.

Fiscal Impact: The program costs for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement and enforce the chapter are to be assessed upon water and wastewater system operators. The provisions of the legislation would result in significant new costs for DEP including $2 million annually for staffing, and will also jeopardize federal funding (for more information see the fiscal note). Additionally, the legislation presents potentially significant fiscal implications on municipalities and municipal authorities that directly operate water and wastewater systems. The legislation is anticipated to result in rate increases for consumers, the total extent to which would depend on certain factors noted above.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Costa, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, and Street voting in the negative.

SB 1027 (STEFANO) – Amends the Child Labor Act to permit junior firefighters to train on live burn modules.

Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no impact on Commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1147 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Public Works Employment Verification Act to increase penalties and the length of debarment for violations of the act and provides additional revenue to the Department of General Services for enforcement.

Fiscal Impact: DGS believes that as the bill, as currently written, could potentially have very expensive costs depending on what percentage of contacts are audited.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 2 N with Senators Saval and Phillips-Hill voting in the negative.

SB 1183 (BROWNE) – Amends Title 42 and Title 75 to prohibit the use of dirt bikes on streets and highways and to make dirt bikes operated on any street, highway or right-of-way in a city of the third class or a borough subject to forfeiture.

Fiscal Impact: The legislation should have no negative fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds, but may result in possible revenue for the county authority where the forfeiture of seized dirt bikes or ATVs occurs; however, an exact number cannot be estimated at this time.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval voting in the negative.

SB 1196 (MARTIN) – Amends the Cosmetology Law to provide for education program hours of Career and Technical Education cosmetology students.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1197 (MARTIN) – Amends the Cosmetology Law to provide for education program hours of Career and Technical Education cosmetology students.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1235 (DISANTO) – Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 regarding service areas for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Fiscal Impact: The Governor’s Budget Office anticipates some costs associated with information technology updates needed to comply with this legislation. Estimates are not available at this time.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1236 (VOGEL) – Amends Title 3 to make updates to the Very Small Meat Processor Federal Inspection Reimbursement Grant Program.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 23, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 230 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify the definition of income to exclude a distribution from a qualified retirement plan that is invested in another qualified plan within 60 days.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Lottery Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 622 (PITTMAN) – Amends Title 71 to expand the definition of enforcement officer within the State Employees’ Retirement Code.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation should have a nominal fiscal impact on the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and the General Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 811 (FONTANA) – Amends the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law to grant Cities and Counties of the Second Class the ability to acquire property at a sheriff’s sale.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 960 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 3 to add a subchapter related to Frozen Dessert Safety.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds. There is a balance between lessened workload of PDA and lessened revenue from licensing fees.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1038 (STEFANO) – Amends the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act to require certain civil penalties to be deposited to the Reclamation Fee O&M Trust Account.

Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 1038 proposes the transference of fees collected from the Clean Streams Fund to the Reclamation Fee O&M Trust Account. The fees proposed to be transferred, except for fiscal year 2016-2017, amount to typically less than $50,000 per year. This, while both funds are continually facing solvency issues that diversion would only exacerbate. Further, while relevant coal mining fees have not been increased since 2012, DEP has had to raise water-related fees to maintain solvency and prevent the loss of federal delegation and funding.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

SB 1058 (PITTMAN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code regarding the compensation of auditors.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1094 (GEBHARD) – Amends Title 75 to modernize the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of the bill should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1163 (YUDICHAK) – Amends the State Lottery Law providing for the disclosure of certain prizewinner identities.

Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact assumes minimal to no impact on Lottery sales.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1186 (GORDNER) – Amends Title 75 to allocate a portion of the fee for USA semiquincentennial registration plates to the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial for activities related to the semiquincentennial.

Fiscal Impact: The enactment of the bill should have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations and Education Committees held a legally mandated joint hearing on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 284 (YAW) – Amends Title 27 to add Chapter 43 pertaining to the decommissioning of solar energy facilities and provides for requirements for complying with forced labor laws.

Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, the responsibilities outlined for the department in the legislation would require one additional full-time position at a cost of roughly $160,000. Minimal fiscal impact is expected for municipalities and counties.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 17-7, (Senators Flynn, Haywood, Hughes, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, and Street voting no).

SB 982 (BAKER) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to prohibit the use of private funds by state and local governments for the registration of voters or the preparation, administration or conducting of an election.

Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 982 does not require or mandate any specific amount that must be appropriated for the administration of elections in the Commonwealth, however enactment could potentially impact funding.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote, 15-9

SB 1016 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) by expanding military decoration eligibility to individuals from friendly foreign nations.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 1016, Printer’s Number 1320 should have no adverse fiscal impacts on commonwealth or local funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1100 (BROWNE) – General Appropriation Act funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts reflected in the legislation are equal to the final enacted appropriations in the current 2021-22 fiscal year.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1101 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania State University and Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1102 (BROWNE) – University of Pittsburgh funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1103 (BROWNE) – Temple University funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1104 (BROWNE) – Lincoln University funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1105 (BROWNE) – University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Activities and the Center for Infectious Diseases funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1106 (BROWNE) – Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1107 (BROWNE) – Workmen’s Compensation Act funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1108 (BROWNE) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1109 (BROWNE) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1110 (BROWNE) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1111 (BROWNE) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1112 (BROWNE) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1113 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1114 (BROWNE) – Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board funding for FY 2022-23.

Fiscal Impact: The amounts included in this legislation are identical to current funding levels for 2021-22.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1200 (BROWNE) – Amends the Election Code to require ballots that are not returned by mail to be returned to an employee at the primary County Board of Elections office.

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 1200 may impact Commonwealth and local funds; however, the full extent is indeterminable at this time due to the individual circumstances of each county, each county board of elections and the voting preferences of individual electors.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote, 15-9.

Additionally, the Committee went over SB 597 (STEFANO), which had been on the meeting’s original agenda.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 11, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 118 (K. WARD) – Amends Title 42 regarding the registration of sexual offenders to include registration for certain additional offenses

Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 118 may impact Commonwealth and local funds to the extent that more arrests, charges, and criminal prosecutions for the offense of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.1 (relating to Failure to comply with registration requirements) occur as a result of the changes.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23-1 (Senator Saval voting no).

SB 848 (MENSCH) – Establishes the position of Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health

Fiscal Impact: Costs associated with the enactment of Senate Bill 848 would be dependent on the salary and benefits of the Chief Nursing Officer, whether the additional staff are needed, or existing staff can split duties, and whether new fixed assets may be needed to accommodate the CNO with office space. Under the bill, any costs associated with this new position, including staffing and other supports, shall be covered using funds from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 871 (J. WARD) – Amends the Child Protective Services Law

Fiscal Impact: The Department of Human Services anticipates minimal, if any, costs associated with implementing this legislation.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 21-3 with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Street voting no.

SB 1040 (BROWNE) – Amends the Crime Victims Act to better provide notification to surviving family members of a murder victim

Fiscal Impact: This act should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1047 (GEBHARD) – Amends Chapter 15 of Tile 51 to update the State Armory Board

Fiscal Impact: In consultation with the Department, enactment of SB 1047, PN 1375 will end a funds transfer from the State Treasury Armory Fund for General Government Operations, but DMVA will be able to cover that with associated cost savings.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1167 (DISANTO) – Amends Title 12 authorizing financial institutions and insurers to provide services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses

Fiscal Impact: This act should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1172 (VOGEL) – Establishes the Sexual Assault Emergency Services Act

Fiscal Impact: Dependent on the size of any grant program, the department may need additional staff support to administer the program.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1179 (BAKER) – Amends the domestic and Sexual Violence Victim Address Confidentiality Act to allow applications and supporting documents to be filed electronically and to expand the eligibility list to include victims of child abduction or human trafficking

Fiscal Impact: This act should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 2058 (MAKO) – Amends the Local Tax Enabling Act by aligning the filing deadlines of certain local tax returns with the filing deadline for state income tax returns

Fiscal Impact: This act should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 5, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 358 (SCHWANK) – Establishes the Maternal Mortality Act

Fiscal Impact: This act should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 797 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Neighborhood Improvement District Act

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth or local funds. Localities choosing to create a NID would be responsible for any fiscal impacts, as is the case under current law.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 881 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 53 providing for the Safe Exchange Zone Program

Fiscal Impact: The legislation will have a minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. DCED anticipates that it will need to hire one part-time position to administer the grant program, which is estimated to cost $50,000 in the first year with costs to carry in the outyears.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 962 (LANGERHOLC) – Establishes the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program

Fiscal Impact: Under this legislation, DCED would need resources to construct, administer and oversee the new Program. Depending on the size of the final grant program, the department estimates operating costs of between $100,000-$200,000 annually. The legislation does not identify any funding sources nor capitalize the grant program as written.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 991 (SCHWANK) – Amends Title 11 to make changes to the city classification process

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1043 (STEFANO) – Amends the Steel Products Procurement Act creating a centralized portal to allow for the electronic submission of required documentation of steel products under the act

Fiscal Impact: This legislation will have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds. Enactment of this legislation will have an adverse impact on local entities but estimates have not been completed.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1184 (MOUL) – Makes technical changes and additional clarifications to the Borough Code, repeals current provisions regulation the accumulation and collection of garbage and other refuse materials and creates a new chapter “Solid Waste Collection and Disposition”

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impacts on commonwealth funds. This legislation allows Boroughs to be incorporated from any municipality, including a city, there could be significant tax and revenue implications on the municipalities. There may also be significant costs around legal challenges and other aspects of the procedures outlined in the legislation.

VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 15 (Yea) – 9 (No) with all Democratic members voting in the negative.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, February 9, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

HB 232 (MUSTELLO) – Amends the Public School Code to provide a process for certain school districts to change their name.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation will have no impact on commonwealth funds. A local school district may incur some costs associated with the legislation.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, January 26, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

HB 221 (RADER) – Amends the Open Space Act allowing local governments to properly maintain open space land regardless of the way the land was acquired.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 889 (B. MILLER) – Amends the Professional Nursing Law to allow international graduates to take the nursing licensure exam in the Commonwealth.

Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 995 (KAUFER) – Amends Title 51 to establish the PA VetConnect Program to improve the health and well-being of veterans and their families.

- Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds and DMVA can cover the program under existing operations.
- VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Performance-Based Budget Board held a public hearing on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 to review the following:

The Independent Fiscal Office’s Department of Aging and Department of Human Services Performance – Based Budget reports.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 25, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 934 (Dush): This bill requires a school entity to display the Preamble to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Costs would vary depending on the form of the plaque and the number of school buildings in each school entity. It is unclear how cyber charter schools would comply with the legislation.

Senators Kearney, Saval, & Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 935 (Martin): This bill requires a school entity to display the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Costs would vary depending on the form of the plaque and the number of school buildings in each school entity. It is unclear how cyber charter schools would comply with the legislation.

Senators Kearney, Saval, & Street voted against the bill.

House Bill 245 (Kaufer): This bill amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to further provide for licenses without restrictions and institutional licenses.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 253 (Owlett): This bill creates the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force Act.

Sen. Browne offered Amendment A03550, which guts & replaces the bill to create the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force, appropriates $100 Million from the Covid-19 Response Account to DHS to make a one-time payment to hospitals for retention and recruitment payments to qualified staff. Appropriates $110M to DHS to make a one time payment to behavioral providers, critical access hospitals and high MA hospitals for staff retention and recruitment. It also allows DHS to recover funds from an entity that doesn’t comply with Federal or State law. Finally, $15M is transferred to PHEAA for the PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program.

Enactment of this legislation should have minimal impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 1849 (Polinchock): This bill amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to provide for distance education and clarification of continuing education delivered in a livestreamed format.

Reported out of Consumer Protection unanimously.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, January 24, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 806 (Yaw): This bill amends the Oil and Gas Lease Act regarding information that is to be supplied to royalty owners as well as timeframes for the remittance of royalty proceeds.

This bill would not have any adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 967 (Schwank): Creates the WIC State Advisory Board Act, establishing the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) State Advisory Board.

The fiscal analysis assumes that any activities of the Board can be covered within existing departmental resources.

Senate Bill 992 (Argall): This bill creates the Congressional Redistricting Data Set Act, providing for the adoption of a population data set certified by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC).

Enactment of this legislation would not adversely impact commonwealth or local funds.

This bill was reported out along party lines, with Senate Democrats voting against the bill.

Senate Bill 1019 (Brooks): This bill amends Section 2102-F of the Administrative Code relating to reporting requirements of waivers granted under COVID-19 regulatory flexibility authority.

Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.

House Bill 764 (Miller): This bill amends the Child Protective Services Law within Title 23 (Domestic Relations) to provide for conditions for provisional hires.

This legislation will not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 979 (Dowling): This bill amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) to reiterate the preemption of municipalities enacting restrictions on firearms and ammunition and provides a relief mechanism for an individual or membership organization adversely affected by a local action violating this preemption.

This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on commonwealth and local funds.

The bill was reported out with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Costa, & Hughes voting against.

House Bill 1122 (Gillespie): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to further provide for resident license and fee exemptions and to further provide for license costs and fees.

The Game Commission estimates that enactment of this legislation could result in the loss of approximately $29,000 to the Game Fund per year by heavily discounting the cost of hunting licenses that are otherwise sold to volunteer instructors at full price.

House Bill 2146 (Grove): Establishes the Congressional Redistricting Act of 2021.

This legislation carries an estimated cost of $400,000 in Fiscal Year 2021-2022, which was accounted for in the General Appropriations Act of 2021. Enactment should have no further impact on Commonwealth Funds.

This bill was reported out along party lines, with Senate Democrats voting against the bill.

The Performance-Based Budget Board held a public hearing on January 24, 2022 to review the following:

Independent Fiscal Office’s Tax Credits (Educational Tax Credits, Coal Refuse and Reclamation, Mixed Use Development and Brewers’)
Department of Labor and Industry and Historical and Museum Commission – Performance – Based Budget reports

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 272 (Mastriano): This bill amends Title 30 (Fish) to further provide fishing licenses for disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth/local funds, but it may impact funds that the Fish and Boat Commission receives from the federal government.

Senate Bill 482 (Philips-Hill): This legislation amends Title 71 (State Government) to consolidate the Commonwealth’s information technology services within a newly created Office of Information Technology and outlining related structures and duties.

Agencies anticipate a first-year cost of $22.7 million in 2021-22 and an annual cost of $21.9 million in subsequent years.

The bill passed along party lines, with Senate Democrats voting against the bill.

Senate Bill 726 (Philips Hill): This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide for a new offense related to ransomware and imposing duties on the Office of Administration.

In consultation with the Office of Administration, it would cost $3.4 million in the year of enactment to install the infrastructure needed to handle the notification requirements of the legislation. This would also include the addition of a new forensic personnel to receive calls from Commonwealth agencies per the notification requirements. The cost in out-years is estimated at $1.7 million.

The bill passed along party lines, with Senate Democrats voting against the bill.

Senate Bill 807 (J. Ward): This legislation amends Title 57 (Notaries Public) to eliminate an obsolete fee and provide greater flexibility for county officers to register the signature of a notary public.

Enactment of this legislation should have minimal to no impact on local funds

Senate Bill 818 (J. Ward): This bill amends the Health Care Facilities Act to enumerate permitted surgical procedures provided in ambulatory surgical facilities.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) does not anticipate a fiscal impact as a result of this legislation.

Senators Haywood & Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 861 (Stefano): This bill creates the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact Act.

Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 927 (Hutchinson): This bill amends s Title 51 (Military Affairs) to further provide definitions for medical officer or health officer incentive program and for establishment of the program, program stipend, additional incentives.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth/local funds.

House Bill 930 (Culver): This bill amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 44 (Law and Justice) to further require law enforcement to collect and submit DNA profiles of missing persons and children and unidentified decedents to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for DNA analysis to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). The bill further adds definitions for NAMUS and a high-risk missing person.

Enactment of this legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds to the extent that law enforcement will continue to collect and submit DNA samples to PSP as they currently do.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, and Hughes voted against.

House Bill 1588 (Mercuri): This bill amends Title 7 (Banks and Banking) to allow mortgage originators to work from a remote location as well as make certain technical changes.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, December 14, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 337 (Boscola): This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to further provide for jurisdiction and penalties in enforcement and further provides for the offense of unlawful taking and possession of protected birds and for endangered or threatened species.

This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth/local funds.

Senator Saval voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 562 (Scavello): This legislation amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to provide for Airport Land Development Zones. The legislation would allow for a tax credit equal to $2,100 for each new job created within the zones, for a period of up to 10 years.

The enactment of the bill is anticipated to reduce General Fund revenues by $4.0 million in fiscal year 2022-23 and by roughly $10.0 million per fiscal year once it is fully implemented.

Senators Haywood, Saval, Street, & Costa voted against.

Senate Bill 635 (Yudichak): This bill amends Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) relating to the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE). This bill will expand the existing program to include multifamily housing and expands eligible upgrades to include indoor air quality (e.g., COVID-19 mitigation) and resiliency improvements.

Enactment of this legislation should not have adverse impacts on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 904 (Baker): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) to further provide for new definitions and provisions related to meetings with county probation officers.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 905 (Baker): This bill amends the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Law to add considerations when making and adopting standards related to county probation and parole practices.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 913 (Baker): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to further provide for matters related to imposing conditions of probation and modifying and revoking orders of probation.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senators Kearney, Saval, Street, & Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 924 (Brooks): This bill amends the Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Act of 1966 providing for a moratorium on State Center closures until a new task force and planning structure is implemented. This would impact the scheduled closures of White Haven and Polk Centers initiated in August 2019 with an estimated transition timeline of several years.

Anticipated costs of the task force activities are estimated at between $75,000-$150,000.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Mensch, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, & Hughes voted against the bill.

House Bill 291 (Labs): This bill amends the State Lottery Law to allow for continued eligibility if an individual’s maximum income limit is exceeded solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Act 95 of 2019 sunsets this Social Security COLA moratorium on December 31, 2021 and this legislation extends that provision through December 31, 2023.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth.

House Bill 412 (Gleim): This was amended in Appropriations to create a new section relating to substitutes for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.

Senators Kearney, Saval, & Costa voted against the bill.

House Bill 1255 (Lewis): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to create a time limitation on civil actions against real estate appraisers.

Senator Browne offered Amendment A03141, which reauthorizes the judicial operation surcharge currently in section 1795.1-E of the Fiscal Code that expires on December 31, 2021. Under new section 3733.2 (Additional surcharge), the surcharge allows the unified judicial system to continue collecting $21.25 that will be deposited into a reserve account within the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account and is appropriated to the Supreme Court for the operation of the Judicial Department. The section will expire on June 30, 2022. The amendment also repeals the mirroring provisions within the Fiscal Code.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth.

House Bill 1260 (Thomas): This bill amends the State Lottery Law to expand income eligibility for the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) program, eliminate the PACENET premium “clawback,” and permit the Department of Aging (Aging) to require Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and PACENET enrollees to enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription benefit.

According to the department, the estimated cost of expanding PACENET eligibility is approximately $17.8 million by fiscal year 2022-23. The cost of eliminating the PACENET premium “clawback” is estimated at $3 million. The savings associated with the allowing the department to require enrollees also participate in Medicare Part D is expected to be $24.3 million.

House Bill 2071 (Causer): This bill amends Title 64 (Public Authorities and QuasiPublic Corporations) to create the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority, establish its membership and its duties relating to adoption of a Statewide broadband plan and grants relating to broadband projects.

Enactment of this legislation will have annual cost to the Commonwealth related to direct personnel costs of $1.475 million.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, December 13, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 291 (Hughes): This bill provides for the Capital Budget Act of 2021-2022.

The maximum bond indebtedness that the Commonwealth may incur is $2.01 billion. In addition, the bill increases the maximum amount of redevelopment assistance capital projects’ debt obligations to $4.05 billion and makes related repeals.

Sen. Browne offered Amendment A01150, which reduces the debt limit for redevelopment assistance projects from $1.275B to $275M. The amendment was adopted with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, & Street voting against the amendment and the bill.

Senate Bill 428 (Gordner): This bill amends the Election Code, to move the date of the general election primary in a presidential nomination year.

This legislation may have minimal fiscal impact Commonwealth and local funds in Fiscal Year 2023-2024.

Senate Bill 566 (Regan): This bill amends the Liquor Code related to license auctions.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 931 (Martin): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to exclude payments received as part of COVID economic relief when calculating income eligibility for Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) voucher programs.

This legislation should not adversely impact local or commonwealth funds.

Senators Kearney, Saval, and Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 932 (Martin): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 relating to definitions by including fees associated with dual enrollment programs for Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) voucher programs in the definition of “school related fees.”

This legislation should not adversely impact local or commonwealth funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, & Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 933 (Martin): This bill amends the Public School Code to allow legislators who sit on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors to vote by proxy.

This legislation should not adversely impact local or commonwealth funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, & Hughes voted against the bill.

House Bill 723 (Mizgorski): This bill amends the Workforce Development Act (WDA) to bring it into compliance with the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 as well as to require the collection, use and dissemination of forward-facing employment data in the Commonwealth.

Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 1332 (Lewis): This bill amends the Public School Code to require school entities to post online and constantly update all curriculum, academic standards, instructional materials, assessment techniques, and course syllabus for every course offered, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

This legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds but may impact local funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

Senate Bill 140 (Browne): This bill amends the Election Code by adding a subsection that requires all candidates for public office and political committees to file campaign finance reports and statements electronically through the online filing system to be developed by the Department of State.

This legislation carries an estimated one-time cost of $113,000 in Fiscal Year 2021- 2022.

Senate Bill 448 (Langerholc): This bill amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) to reiterate the preemption of municipalities enacting restrictions on firearms and ammunition and provides a relief mechanism for an individual or membership organization adversely affected by a local action violating this preemption.

A municipal entity could be negatively impacted by the provisions of Senate Bill 448, if they are sued for a violation of the law. As a result of being unable to predict when that might happen, potential costs cannot be given an exact estimate.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes

Senate Bill 565 (Dush): This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated statutes related to firearms, licenses, and offenses.

Enactment of Senate Bill 565 may have an impact on Commonwealth and Local Funds.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 706 (Robinson): This bill , establishes the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund and Max Manufacturing Endeavor Loan Fund.

According to DCED, Senate Bill 706 will require additional staff to oversee the program and will result in increased administrative costs for the department. The department estimates an addition to its complement of one analyst at a cost $100,000 (salary and benefits).

Senate Bill 755 (Kearney): This bill amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code by providing general provisions for certain transmittals and submissions to governmental bodies.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 830 (Yudichak): This bill establishes the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program under the purview of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

This bill transfers the sum of $5 million from the Second Stage Loan Program for loan guarantees under the newly established Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program. DCED estimates a cost of $50,000 per year to administer this program.

Senate Bill 915 (Browne): This bill is the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act of 2021-2022.

This legislation itemizes capital projects in the aggregate amount of $14,520,717,785.

House Bill 1642 (White): This bill amends several provisions relating to participation in educational tax credit programs.

Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds, though individual scholarship amounts may be reduced.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

The Senate Appropriations and Education Committees met held a joint public hearing on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education update regarding the latest report pursuant to Act 50 of 2020:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 26, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

Senate Bill 347 (DiSanto): This legislation amends the Tax Reform Code to allow for “like-kind” exchanges which would allow for businesses to reduce their tax liability when property is exchanged for similar property.

According to the Department of Revenue, the bill would reduce General Fund revenues by $18.5 million in fiscal year (FY) 2021-22; $16.2 million in FY 2022-23; $15.1 million in FY 2023-24; $14.5 million in FY 2024-25; and $14.3 million in FY 2025-26.

Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, Costa, & Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 349 (Hutchinson):This bill amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to increase the cap on deductions available to passthrough entities subject to the personal income tax for the purchase of tangible property in line with Section 179 of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

According to the Department of Revenue, the bill would reduce General Fund revenues by $2.9 million in fiscal year (FY) 2021-22; $17.9 million in FY 2022-23; $14.2 million in FY 2023-24; $10.1 million in FY 2024-25; and $6.7 million in FY 2025-26

Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, & Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 705 (Vogel): This bill creates the Telemedicine Act, providing for the regulation of telemedicine by professional licensing boards and for the insurance coverage of Telemedicine in the commonwealth.

Enactment of this legislation is not expected to adversely impact commonwealth funds

Senate Bill 915 (Browne):This bill is the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act of 2021-2022.

This bill itemizes capital projects in the aggregate amount of $9,261,558,000

The bill was amended to include $190 million in Public Improvement project itemizations, $41.25 million in Transportation Assistance project itemizations, $3.818 billion in Redevelopment Assistance

project itemizations, and $26 million in Flood Control project itemizations and adds or revises $559 million in Public Improvement project itemizations, $28 million in Furniture & Equipment project itemizations, $18.5 million in Transportation Assistance project itemizations, $330.225 million in Redevelopment Assistance project itemizations, $20 million in Flood Control project itemizations, and $2 million in Fish Fund and Boat Fund project itemizations

House Bill 416 (Quinn): This bill adds a section to the Public School Code related to seizure recognition and first aid training.

The bill was amended to move the start date of the seizure recognition and related first aid training to begin with the 2022-2023 school year

Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth or local funds.

House Bill 425 (Dowling): This bill amends sections 406 and 417 of the Pennsylvania Liquor Code to allow liquor licensees that are permanently closing to sell their remaining liquor and wine to other liquor licensees; and to provide temporary opportunities to aid liquor licensees during and after an emergency declaration.

According to the PLCB, the fiscal impact on the State Stores Fund due to the loss of fees is estimated to be between $1.7 and $2.7 million.

House Bill 1082 (Lewis DelRosso): This bill creates the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorder Act.

The Department of Health indicates it can carry out the provisions of this legislation within its current operating budget parameters.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 18, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

Senate Bill 157 (Mensch): This bill creates the First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Program.

According to the Department of Revenue (DOR), Senate Bill 157 will cost between approximately $16 million to $79 million based on usage of the program by first-time homebuyers and 2019 home sale data.

Senators Kearney & Saval voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 236 (Brooks): This bill amends the Telemarketer Registration Act to add new definitions, amend unlawful acts, and prohibit unwanted telephone solicitation calls.

This legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 327 (J. Ward): This bill amends the County Code, relating to the reporting of COVID-19 deaths to coroners by further providing for coroner’s investigation.

The legislation prohibits the department from charging a fee to access this data, therefore any costs would fall upon the department’s operating budget.

The bill passed along party lines.

Senate Bill 603 (Brooks): This bill amends the Public School Code related to Health Services and tick removal.

The bill was amended clarifying that the free basic panel tick test is to be used by the Tick Research Lab when a sample is sent by school districts

This legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 731 (Mensch): This bill amends the Charitable Gift Annuity Exemption Act to further provide for definitions and exemption of a qualified charitable gift annuity from regulation under insurance laws.

This legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senator Saval voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 777 (Langerholc): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to exclude the five newest model year vehicles from the requirements of the emission inspection as provided for under Section 4702(f) of Title 75.

The enactment of this legislation would reduce program management fee collections by around $4.1 million per fiscal year.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, & Costa voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 786 (Aument): This bill amends the Public School Code relating to open campus initiatives.

School districts would face increased costs for transporting students between participating entities. Any costs incurred would be based on the number of existing entities served by the school district and the amount of participation in open campus initiatives between school entities.

The bill passed along party lines.

Senate Bill 827 (J. Ward): This bill establishes the Weigh Station Preclearance Program under the Pennsylvania State Police.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimates a cost of $66,500 to install advance preclearance guidance signs at one weigh station inspection site. Those costs would likely be realized in the next fiscal year.

Senate Bill 849 (Stefano): This bill amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) by further providing definitions pertaining to veterans’ preference and voluntary veterans’ preference in private employment.

This legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, September 29, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 869 (Tomlinson): This bill amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed) to further provide for additional definitions and adds a new section providing for virtual operation of meetings, distance education and supervision.

This legislation carries an estimated net cost of $1.836 million dollars in the year of enactment, and an estimated $726,350 in outyears.

House Bill 1182 (Schlegel-Culver): This bill amends the Barbers’ License Law, to further provide for distance education.

Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 1183 (Schlegel-Culver): This bill amends the Cosmetology Law, to further provide for distance education.

Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 1861 (Lewis): This bill amends the Administrative Code relating to temporary suspension of a regulatory statute during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee:

Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 859 (Langerholc): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to further provide for the enforcement of failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights using a camera system.

Enactment of this legislation would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth Funds.

House Bill 1774 (Flood): This bill amends the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program Act (ABC-MAP) to expand the list of authorized users and extend the sunset date.

Enactment of this legislation would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth Funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 224 (Bartolotta): This bill amends the Public School Code, by repealing the current requirements for out-of-state teachers to become certified in Pennsylvania and outlining new criteria for certification.

The Department of Education projects that the annual costs of this bill would be $500,000 annually and a one-time cost of $500,000.

Senate Bill 725 (Bartolotta): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to clarify that a driver with a Class C license is authorized to operate a covered farm vehicle.

This bill will have a minimal fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.

Senate Bill 729 (J. Ward): This bill amends the Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to allow for online training.

Minimal costs would be incurred due to the reporting requirement

Senate Bill 736 (Langerholc): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to provide that a truck or truck tractor bearing farm vehicle registration plates is permitted to travel between a farm and a place of residence.

Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact.

Senate Bill 738 (Phillips-Hill): This bill amends the Election Code, to further provide for duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth during publication of proposed constitutional amendments.

Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, & Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 764 (Argall): This bill amends the Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of State and its departmental administrative board, providing for legislative process training, and imposing duties on the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Schwank, Costa, and Hughes voted against the bill.

House Bill 1591 (Knowles): This bill amends The County Code to allow every county to maintain its current classification regardless of population changes reflected in the 2020 census, unless a county prompted to change classes chooses to do so by an enacted ordinance or adopted resolution from the Board of Commissioners.

Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse fiscal impact.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 153 (Langerholc): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to further provide for the maximum gross weight of vehicles.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 302 (Yaw): This bill establishes the Firefighting Foam Management Act, which prohibits a person, firefighting entity, the Commonwealth, or a municipality from discharging or otherwise using a class B firefighting foam that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical for testing purposes.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 552 (Dush): This bill amends the Right-to-Know Law to add a new section related to “vexatious requester” and a complaint process overseen by the Office of Open Records.

Enactment of this legislation would likely result in the need of an increased appropriation in the range of $200,000 to $350,000 in the first fiscal year with corresponding costs-to-carry increases in outyears.

Senators Kearney, Saval, Costa, and Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 673 (Dush): This bill amends The Second Class Township Code relating to auditors and accountants, providing for surcharge by auditors and providing the township managers appointment, removal, powers and duties, and compensation and bond.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 709 (Tomlinson): This bill creates the CMV Education and Newborn Screening Act.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 731 (Mensch): This bill amends the Charitable Gift Annuity Exemption Act to further provide for definitions and exemption of a qualified charitable gift annuity from regulation under insurance laws.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 739 (Stefano): This bill amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) related to definitions and membership on the Emergency Services Loan Assistance Program application review committee.

This bill will not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth Funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Friday, June 25, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 397 (Pittman): This bill amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to provide for physician assistants (PA-Cs), including practices, representation on the osteopathic board and physician oversight.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 398 (Pittman): This bill amends the Medical Practice Act to provide for physician assistants (PA-Cs), including practices, representation on the state medical board and physician oversight.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 574 (Brewster): This bill amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to establish a county demolition and rehabilitation fund in each county.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 674 (Kearney): This bill makes four specific changes to the Borough Code in a manner consistent with recent revisions to the First Class Township Code.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 336 (Mackenzie): This bill makes repeals in the Administrative Code related to the Department of Banking & Securities. The bill was amended with an omnibus amendment.

On the amendment and the bill as amended, all democratic senators voted against the bill.

House Bill 523 (Day): This bill amends Section 15 of the General Roads Law, providing for the maintenance of private roads.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 952 (Oberlander): This bill amends the Tax Reform Code 1971 to provide for a sales and use tax computer data center exemption program. The bill was amended with an omnibus amendment.

Senator Saval voted against the amendment and the bill.

House Bill 957 (Moul): This bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to allow the owner of a multi-residential unit that is served by a single water meter to request an adjustment to its billed amount, if the amount billed exceeds the actual usage by 30% or more.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. There could be a negative fiscal impact on the funds of municipal authorities based on the new billed amounts authorized under the legislation.

House Bill 1348 (Saylor): This bill amends the Fiscal Code to make technical corrections and provide the Department of Human Services with the ability to transfer certain Federal funds. The bill was amended with an omnibus amendment.

On the amendment and the bill as amended, Senators Haywood, Saval, and Hughes voted against.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 24, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 480 (Kearney): This bill amends the Borough Code in Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) making various technical changes and clarifications to the Code.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senate Bill 772 (DiSanto): This bill amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 to update the Commonwealth’s annuity laws.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 1147 (Gaydos): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to further provide for sexual offender treatment

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senator Saval voted against the bill

House Bill 1300 (Grove): This bill amends the Election Code, to make numerous changes to Pennsylvania’s election law in the areas of voter registration, mail-in voting, duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, duties of the county boards of elections, election audits and responsibilities of the Auditor General, voting machines and electronic pollbooks, voters’ bill of rights, authority of the Election Law Advisory Board, satellite election offices, early voting, ballot returns, powers of the Attorney General, penalties, and reimbursements to counties.

In consultation with the Governor’s Budget Office, the total potential estimated General Fund expenditures in fiscal year 2021-2022 could be $105.770 million. It is further estimated that in the year of enactment it would cost approximately $3.1 million to establish the Bureau of Election Audits within the Department of the Auditor General.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

House Bill 1349 (Pickett): This bill amends the Insurance Department Act of 1921 to modernize the process by which the Insurance Department conducts business.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 1429 (Schlegel-Culver): This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to create the offense of financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person.

Assuming an average annual cost per inmate of about $30,000, counties could collectively experience increased county jail costs of about $5.25 million in the first year. Counties could also experience increased costs related to an increase inf probation officer caseloads and supervision as a result of the legislation.

Senator Saval voted against the bill.

House Bill 1621 (Marshall): This bill would create the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act to provide for small wireless facilities deployment.

This bill should not have a negative fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 78 (Baker): This bill amends Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to further provide for new definitions, factors to consider in child custody cases, the appointment of a guardian ad litem and counsel for a child, award of counsel fees, costs and expenses, and training programs for judges and court personnel related to child abuse and domestic abuse education.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth or local funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, and Saval voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 708 (Bartolotta): This bill amends the Crime Victims Act to make various updates.

This legislation has a potential impact of $1.51 million to the Crime Victims Services and Compensation Fund. From this annual increase, $906,089 is reimbursable to the fund through federal funding. The annual impact of non-reimbursable funding is $604,059.

House Bill 156 (Owlett): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to further provide for the admissibility of certain statements by witnesses.

This legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth or local funds.

Senator Saval voted against the bill.

House Bill 178 (James): This bill amends the Unemployment Compensation (UC) Law to make various technical changes and to extend the period of time allotted for parties to appeal UC determinations.

Fiscal implications are unknown at this time but are expected to be minimal.

House Bill 859 (Delozier): This bill amends the Department of Banking and Securities Code to further provide for the Banking Fund.

The enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse fiscal impact on the Banking Fund.

House Bill 1024 (Schemel): This bill amends the Medical Marijuana Act of 2016, making various revisions.

Some of the provisions related to information technology and programming may carry a cost, however it is expected the Department of Health will be able to implement these upgrades within existing resources.

Senators Schwank, Vogel, and Hughes voted against the bill.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 22, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 769 (Browne): This bill would create the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act to provide for small wireless facilities deployment.

This bill would not have negative fiscal impact on Commonwealth Funds.

House Bill 184 (Keefer): This bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to further provide for the offense of Causing or Aiding Suicide. The bill was amended to define autism spectrum disorder to reference the 5^th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder.

Assuming that most sentences will be greater than two years, triggering a mandatory state sentence, the Department of Corrections (DOC) could experience an increased cost of $40,165 in the first year (DOC assumes marginal costs of about $18 per day per inmate), with costs increasing in outyears due to housing additional inmates each year.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill as amended.

House Bill 741 (Heffley): This bill amends the Administrative Code to require a drug and alcohol recovery house to provide notice to a designated emergency contact when a resident is no longer attending the program.

This bill should not adversely impact Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 827 (Gillespie): This bill amends Title 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) to establish a microenterprise loan program.

This bill should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 944 (E. Nelson): This bill amends the Administrative Code to require inpatient drug and alcohol facilities to provide notice to a designated emergency contact when a resident leaves a facility against medical advice.

This bill should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 208 (DiSanto): This bill amends the Municipalities Planning Code to clarify Section 509 regarding final plat approval and the retention of posted financial security for improvements.

This bill should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 419 (Scavello): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to further provide for speed timing devices.

This bill may result in fiscal impact to Commonwealth and Local Funds.

Senate Bill 550 (Robinson): This bill amends the Second-Class County Code to require cemeteries to remove worn and unsightly flags from the graves of veterans.

This bill should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 668 (J. Ward): This bill amends the State Lottery Law making revisions to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) program, including expanded eligibility.

This bill will result in an estimated $2.7 million in net savings in fiscal year 2021-22 and $818,429 in fiscal year 2022-23.

Senate Bill 675 (Schwank): This bill makes changes to the Third Class City Code in a manner consistent with a recent revision to the First Class Township Code providing further consistency among municipal classifications for procedural issues and offers greater autonomy for a third class city to receive management services.

This bill should not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 696 (Laughlin): This bill amends the “Breach of Personal Information Notification Act” to update the act relating to personal information notification.

This bill should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 735 (J. Ward): This bill is a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania further providing for qualifications of electors.

This legislation carries an estimated net cost of $1.3 to $1.5 million in the current fiscal year.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

House Bill 1508 (Saylor): This bill makes annual appropriations for fiscal year 2021-22 to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards.

This bill appropriates a total of $67.925 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and other restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in fiscal year 2021-22.

House Bill 1509 (Saylor): This bill provides for appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 from the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

This bill provides annual appropriations for FY 2021-22 relating to the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund. Specifically, the legislation appropriates $75.802 million from the Fund to L&I for expenses necessary to administer the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act.

House Bill 1510 (Saylor): This bill makes an annual appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund for the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) in the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for fiscal year 2021-22.

This bill appropriates $1.896 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund for the operation of the Office of Small Business Advocate under DCED for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

House Bill 1511 (Saylor):This bill makes an annual appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General fund for the operation of the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) in fiscal year 2021-2022.

This bill appropriates $6.204 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund for the operation and expenses of the OCA in fiscal year 2021-2022.

House Bill 1512 (Saylor): This bill makes annual appropriations to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board for fiscal year 2021-22.

This bill would appropriate $52.294 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and $0.955 million from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2021-22 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans.

House Bill 1513 (Saylor): This bill makes annual appropriations to provide for expenses of the State Employees’ Retirement Board for fiscal year 2021-22.

This bill would appropriate $33.069 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and $4.398 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2021-22 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans.

House Bill 1514 (Saylor): This bill makes annual appropriations to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for fiscal year 2020-21.

This bill appropriates $2.749 million from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and $100,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for fiscal year 2021-22.

House Bill 1515 (Saylor): This bill makes annual appropriations to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for fiscal year 2021-22.

This legislation would appropriate $78.477 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and $5.128 million from federal funds to the PUC for fiscal year 2021- 22.

House Bill 1516 (Saylor):This bill makes the annual appropriations for the regulation and enforcement relating to gaming for fiscal year 2021-22.

This bill appropriates a total of $84.818 million from the State Gaming Fund for administration and oversight of gaming activities in the Commonwealth. A total of $518,000 is appropriated from the Fantasy Contest Fund for administration and oversight of gaming activities relating to fantasy contests in the Commonwealth. The legislation appropriates $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund for administration and oversight of gaming activities relating to Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in the Commonwealth. Finally, the legislation appropriates $19.769 million from the State Gaming Fund to supplement the Pennsylvania State Police’s appropriation in the current 2020-21 fiscal year.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 16, 2021and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 255 (Browne): This bill is the General Appropriations Act for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022.

Amounts included in Senate Bill 255 reflect the final enacted appropriations for the 2020- 21 fiscal year, including federal appropriations from the COVID Response Restricted Account used to supplement state expenditures. It is expected these amounts are placeholders for a revised 2021-22 budget proposal.

Senate Bill 265 (Browne): This bill provides $268.832 million in funding for the Pennsylvania State University for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

This bill will cost the Commonwealth a total of $268.832 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 266 (Browne): This bill provides $154.853 million in funding for the University of Pittsburgh for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

This bill will cost the Commonwealth a total of $154.853 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 267 (Browne): This bill provides $158.206 million in funding for Temple University for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

This bill will cost the Commonwealth a total of $158.206 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 268 (Browne): This bill provides $15.166 million in funding for Lincoln University for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

This bill will cost the Commonwealth a total of $15.166 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 269 (Browne): This bill , provides $31.955 million in funding for the University of Pennsylvania for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

This bill will cost the Commonwealth a total of $31.955 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

House Bill 1154 (Masser): This bill amends the Liquor Code related to definitions, wholesale sales; drinks for off-premises consumption; and secondary service areas.

The bill was amended in committee to establish taxes and fees related to sales of ready-to-drink cocktails.

Based on a net present value calculation comparing the current ready-to-drink product line ($21 million) to the revenues collected through (1) the initial application fee, (2) annual renewal fee arrangement and (3) additional taxes as a result of increased sales volume, which amount to $45.7 million over the next 5 years.

The amendment and the bill were approved along party lines.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 14, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 119 (Pittman): This bill creates the Pennsylvania Carbon Dioxide Cap and Trade Authorization Act to require legislative authorization for measures, including participation in, or the establishment of, a greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, that are designed to abate, control or limit carbon dioxide emissions..

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 241 (Brewster): This bill amends s Title 30 (Fish) to provide an exemption from fishing license requirements for therapeutic recreation program participants.

According to the Fish and Boat Commission, enactment of this bill would have no additional negative fiscal impact on the Fish Fund due to the loss of license fees of participants.

Senate Bill 319 (Bartolotta): This bill amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow excess funds from a third-party settlement for benefits to be used to pay an employee’s future medical expenses as opposed to the employer paying those expenses.

According to the Department of Labor and Industry, the legislation could result in cost savings from reducing future medical expense obligations for the Commonwealth as an employer as well as the State Workers’ Insurance Fund, the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund, the Self-Insurance Guaranty Fund and the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund. However, savings for these funding sources are unable to be quantified due to variability regarding claims and settlement amounts.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 324 (Langerholc): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 by adding a new section to Article XIII (relating to pupils and attendance) that would ensure students experiencing education instability graduate with a high school diploma.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 439 (Argall): This bill amends the Recorder of Deeds Fee Law to repeal the county demolition fund sunset.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 478 (Dush): This bill amends Act 78 of 1979 to authorize political subdivisions and authorities to enter into contracts for services when two consecutive advertisements fail to induce bids.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 503 (Regan): This bill 527 amends the Heart and Lung Act to extend coverage to additional classes of employees.

Using the same cost assumptions from commonwealth claims, if counties were to provide benefits to those employees under their oversight, it is estimated to cost $6.8 million annually. If housing and transit authorities were to provide benefits, the estimated cost is $259,000 annually. If colleges and universities were to provide benefits, the estimated cost is $528,000 annually.

Senate Bill 533 (Yaw): This bill amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to add a new section relating to prohibiting regulatory action during disaster emergencies.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

House Bill 664 (Hershey): This bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 68 (Real and Personal Property) to provide for when business licenses are required for business operated on occasional basis by a minor.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

House Bill 765 (B. Miller): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to allow the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to approve special event permits on state-designated roads without requiring local authorities to fully indemnify the Commonwealth.

This legislation should not have a negative fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 10, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

House Bill 649 (Rapp): This bill creates the Access to Congregate Care Facilities Act, establishing procedures for granting access for essential caregivers during a disaster emergency.

This bill would not have an adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senators Flynn, Haywood, Hughes, Kearney, Saval, Schwank, Street, & Costa voted against the bill.

House Bill 854 (Ecker): This bill amends the Administrative Code to provide a new article relating to COVID-19 record retention. A new article relating to temporary regulatory flexibility authority is also added.

This bill may result in minimal costs related to information technology to preserve COVID-related records for 10 years after the disaster declaration is rescinded. There may be more significant costs related to personnel identifying and gathering records, as well as training costs for educating all employees on this separate retention policy.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 8, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 255 (Browne): This bill is the General Appropriations Act for FY 2021-22.

This legislation includes state and federal appropriations for the 2020-21 fiscal year in the General Fund, select Special Funds, and the COVID Response Restricted Account.

Senate Bill 256 (Browne): This bill is the State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation would appropriate $30.696 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and $4.557 million from the SERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2021-22 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans.

Senate Bill 257 (Browne): This bill is the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation would appropriate $52.294 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and $1.083 million from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund in fiscal year 2021-22 for expenses related to the administration and operation of the system’s retirement plans.

Senate Bill 258 (Browne): This bill is the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs funding for FY 2021-22

This legislation appropriates a total of $ 69.741 million from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and other restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in fiscal year 2021-22

Senate Bill 259 (Browne): This bill is the Workmen’s Compensation Act funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation provides annual appropriations for FY 2021-22 relating to the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund. Specifically, the legislation appropriates $75.802 million from the Fund to L&I for expenses necessary to administer the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. In addition, the bill appropriates $280,000 from the restricted revenue account within the Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in DCED for its operations.

Senate Bill 260 (Browne): This bill is the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation would appropriate $78.061 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and $5.022 million from federal funds to the PUC for fiscal year 2021- 22.

Senate Bill 261 (Browne): This bill is the Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2021-22

This legislation appropriates $6.204 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund for the operation and expenses of the OCA in fiscal year 2021-2022.

Senate Bill 262 (Browne): This bill is the Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation appropriates $1.896 million from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund for the operation of the Office of Small Business Advocate under DCED for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Senate Bill 263 (Browne): This bill is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation appropriates $67.079 million from the State Gaming Fund, $574,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.042 million from the Video Gaming Fund.

Senate Bill 264 (Browne): This bill is the Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2021-22

This legislation appropriates $3.124 million from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and $100,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Senate Bill 265 (Browne): This bill is the Pennsylvania State University and Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation will cost the Commonwealth a total of $268.832 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 266 (Browne): This bill is the University of Pittsburgh funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation will cost the Commonwealth a total of $154.853 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 267 (Browne): This bill is the Temple University funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation will cost the Commonwealth a total of $158.206 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 268 (Browne): This bill is the Lincoln University funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation will cost the Commonwealth a total of $15.166 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 269 (Browne): This bill is the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Activities and the Center for Infectious Diseases funding for FY 2021-22.

This legislation will cost the Commonwealth a total of $31.955 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

Senate Bill 291 (Hughes): Capital Budget Act of FY 2021-22.

This legislation authorizes the Commonwealth to incur a maximum of $2.01 billion in bond indebtedness in FY 2021-22.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, May 25, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 477 (J. Ward): This bill amends the Consolidated County Assessment Law (CCAL) to more precisely define changes to real property that could occur without authorizing the assessment office to adjust an assessment, and to increase the value of other improvements that may occur before the assessment office is required to be notified.

This legislation does not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 479 (Hutchinson): This bill provides for the responsibilities of coordinators and receivers appointed to assist financially distressed municipalities by requiring compliance with ethics statutes.

This legislation does not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or municipal funds.

Senate Bill 484 (Stefano): This bill amends the Pennsylvania Long-term Care Council Act to add the chair of the State Veterans’ Commission or designee to the Council.

This legislation does not have an adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 24, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 28 (Phillips-Hill): This bill creates a freestanding act known as the “Permit Administration Act” to monitor and track the issuance of permits by state agencies and to allow third-party professionals to be used to resolve issues with permit applications that cause delays.

The implementation of this legislation will have significant cost to various state agencies that issue permits. The known costs to major permit issuing agencies would be $63.840 million in Fiscal Year 2020-21 and $67.040 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.

The bill was reported out of committee along party lines.

Senate Bill 126 (Brooks): This bill amends the Regulatory Review Act, to further provide for existing regulations.

According to the Governor’s Budget Office, agencies may incur personnel and administrative costs as a result of being required to research economically significant regulations and issue reports. Fee revenue could also be in jeopardy as regulations relating to fee structures could be deemed economically significant and thus could possibly be amended or rescinded.

The bill was reported out of committee along party lines.

Senate Bill 243 (Pittman): This bill amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to provide for the operation of games of chance during the disaster emergency.

Enactment of this legislation could potentially have an impact on lottery sales and revenues.

Senate Bill 520 (DiSanto): This bill amends the Regulatory Review Act to require the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to verify cost estimates of proposed regulations and the General Assembly to approve, via concurrent resolution, any final-form or final-omitted regulation carrying a cost impact estimate of $1 million annually for the commonwealth, local governments and the private sector.

This bill may have cost and/or revenue implications for the commonwealth and its political subdivisions. The new requirement of cost impact review and verification by the IFO may result in a need for additional staff and related resources.

The bill was reported out of committee along party lines.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 12, 2021 and reported the following bill from committee:

Senate Bill 664 (Corman): This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949, by adding two sections related to repeating a grade level in the 2021-22 school year.

The Department of Education anticipates no cost to the Commonwealth. There is an unknown cost to local school districts, depending on the number of students choosing to repeat a grade.

The bill was unanimously approved.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 10, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 82 (Brooks): This bill is a free-standing act that amends the Automobile Lemon Law to include motorcycles.

This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds or local funds.

Senate Bill 115 (Boscola): This bill creates the free-standing act authorizing Pennsylvania to join the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Enactment of Senate Bill 115 may result in fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds. While the expenditure of Commonwealth funds may be minimal, enactment may likely result in a decrease in revenue to the State Board of Nursing.

Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, Costa, & Hughes voted against.

Senate Bill 251 (Yaw): This bill establishes best practices for fertilizer use by providing for the labeling, application, recordkeeping, packaging, use, sale and distribution of agricultural fertilizer as well as turf or other specialty fertilizer.

The bill requires the State Treasurer to transfer $100,000 from the General Fund to the Agronomic Regulatory Account to allow the Department of Agriculture (PDA) to develop courses and purchase computer software for enforcement. New revenues generated from the license fees, registration fees, applicator certification, fines and penalties established in the legislation are estimated to generate an additional $800,000 annually. The provisions will cause approximately $900,000 in new expenses a year. Additionally, provisions contained in the legislation provide the Department with the ability to adjust fees to meet its costs related to the program.

Senate Bill 323 (J. Ward): This bill amends s the State Lottery Law to allow for continued eligibility if an individual’s maximum income limit is exceeded solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

According to the Department of Aging, the extension of this moratorium has been accounted for in the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 pharmaceutical assistance programs budgets and therefore should not adversely impact commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 341 (Phillips-Hill): This bill amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) to streamline regulations for telecommunication carriers.

The enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

All Senate Democrats voted against.

Senate Bill 403 (Robinson): This bill amends Title 30 (Fish) to align the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Boat Registration period with the calendar year.

The Commission has two customer cycles, which spreads the total registrations out over a 4-year period, therefore the loss of revenue is estimated by the Commission to be $1.33 million spread over a 4-year period.

Senate Bill 432 (Laughlin): This bill amends the Department of Banking and Securities Code (Act 111 of 1933) to further provide for the Banking Fund.

Enactment of this legislation should not have a adverse fiscal impact on the Banking Fund.

Senate Bill 442 (Phillips-Hill): This bill establishes the State-owned Assets and Broadband Services Act.

The Department of General Services (DGS) estimates that enactment of this legislation may cost the commonwealth $39.2 million in total. Costs are estimated by examining current revenues relating to contracts and anticipated buildout. The department also anticipates needing additional staff in the Office of Enterprise Wireless Management.

All Senate Democrats voted against.

Senate Bill 445 (Mensch): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to provide for contributions for breast cancer research.

Enactment of this legislation should not have a adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 27, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 74 (Martin): This bill amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to provide for a pediatric cancer research tax credit. The bill was amended in committee. The amendment was technical in nature.

The tax credit program would be capped at $10 million per fiscal year and apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.

Senate Bill 147 (Langerholc): This bill amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to require employer safety committees to provide information regarding risks associated with substance abuse. The bill was amended in committee. The amendment was technical in nature.

The legislation is not anticipated to have an impact on the State Workers’ Insurance Fund.

Senate Bill 156 (Mensch): This bill amends the Tobacco Settlement Act to make changes to the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program, including eligibility expansion.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) estimates that the total net costs of the policy changes in this legislation will be $9.7 million.

Senate Bill 382 (Langerholc): This bill amends Title 74 (Transportation) to further provide for the duties and operation of the Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board and void prior initiatives of that board.

The bill would not have a direct fiscal impact but would require an additional approval process which could have a funding impact on the Motor License Fund.

The bill was approved along party lines.

Senate Bill 425 (Gordner): This bill makes various amendments to the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act relating to informed consent.

The bill would not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 434 (Vogel & Schwank): This bill adds Subchapter C to Title 3 (Agriculture) providing for a milk sell by date and best by date labeling.

Enactment of this legislation should be revenue neutral.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 20, 2021 and reported the following bill from committee.

House Bill 766 (Griener): This bill amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to provide for a Covid-19 emergency finance and tax provision under the personal income tax as well as further provide for the due date under the corporate net income tax.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth or local funds.

The bill was unanimously approved.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 19, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 83 (Brooks): This bill amends the School Code to establish a Secondary Education Fire Training Pilot Program which provides fire training to secondary school students through institutions of higher education.

The total cost for the pilot program would be a minimum of $450,000. The cost to the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee would be approximately $144,000 which can be absorbed in their existing operating budget.

Senate Bill 108 (Bartolotta): This bill amends the Human Services Code to provide a supplemental payment for certain skilled care facilities with a high number of claims days for ventilator or tracheostomy care.

This bill carries an estimated total cost of close to $13.1 million, shared between state and federal funds. For the 2020-21 annual payment, the state share would be an estimated $5.448 million

Senate Bill 114 (Boscola): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to further provide for the removal of snow and ice from a motor vehicle or motor carrier vehicle.

The enactment of this legislation should not have a negative fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.

Senate Bill 190 (Mensch): This bill creates the “Essential Family Caregiver Designation Act.” The bill was amended in committee, the amendment was technical in nature.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

Senators Costa, Hughes, Saval, and Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 248 (Phillips-Hill): This bill amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to establish two additional Veteran Recognition days in the Commonwealth to “recognize the contributions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces from this Commonwealth in major conflicts since the Vietnam War.”

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 317 (Browne): This bill creates a freestanding act to be known as the Expedited Partner Therapy Act. The legislation would allow for the issuance of a prescription to treat sexually transmitted infections without examination if that individual’s sexual partner is a patient of the prescriber, has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, and indicates the partner is unlikely to be examined or evaluated independently.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 381 (Martin): This bill amends the Public School Code to remove the June 30, 2021 sunset for the substitute teacher program for prospective students.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

Senators Haywood, Saval, and Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 457 (Baker): This bill is a joint resolution proposing three amendments to Article IV of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, in sections relating to the qualifications and disqualifications of the Attorney General.

This legislation carries an estimated net cost of $1.3 to $1.5 million in the current fiscal year.

House Bill 110 (Causer): This bill amends the Hardwoods Development Council Act to provide for changes in membership of the Hardwoods Development Council.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

House Bill 203 (Toohil): This bill creates the “Living Donor Protection Act,” requiring outreach and education by the Department of Health and insurance protections.

This bill does not have an adverse impact on commonwealth funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, March 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 411 (Browne): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to statutorily consolidate the Department of Corrections (Department) and Pennsylvania Parole Board (Board) as well as to transfer the Board of Pardons to Title 61.

Sen. Browne offered a technical amendment, which was adopted.

Many of the provisions of Senate Bill 411 have already been implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department and the Board. Since fiscal year (FY) 2017-18, the Commonwealth has achieved $12 million in savings as a result of the MOU, with those savings estimated to grow to $19.1 million in FY 2022-23.

House Bill 14 (Gregory): This bill is a Joint Resolution proposing an emergency amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to provide for a two-year window in which an individual may file a civil action alleging childhood sexual abuse notwithstanding any otherwise applicable statute of limitations defense.

This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 17, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 69 (Langerholc): This bill establishes the Recovery-to-Work (R-T-W) Act to create a pilot program within the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) to provide individuals in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction with career development opportunities and work experience through local workforce development boards

The Department of Labor & Industry believes it will need $4.660 million to implement an effective two-year pilot program to serve 100 individuals.

All Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 137 (Hutchinson): This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) to create the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Training Fund.

This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.

Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, & Hughes voted against the bill.

Senate Appropriations and Education held a Joint Committee Hearing on March 4, 2021 on COVID Impact on Local Districts, Parents, Students, and Educators:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, February 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 36 (Phillips-Hill): This bill would extend fee exemptions to a service dog used in the performance of services by a police department, fire department or sheriff’s office or in the performance of rescue services or emergency medical services.

This legislation would not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 64 (Martin): This bill directs a portion of the state-allocated farmland preservation funding to be set aside annually for use by land trusts.

The bill would divert $3 million annually from the state Agricultural Easement Purchase Program to be used by nonprofit land trusts. The legislation also requires that the land trusts provide matching funds, which could be raised from agri-businesses, lenders and/or private citizens. Other than the loss of this amount to the program, there are no other fiscal impacts to the Department of Agriculture.

Senate Bill 96 (Robinson): This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to further provide for contributions to the Veterans’ Trust Fund.

Based on projected contributions from plates, driver’s licenses, and registrations for fiscal year 2020-21, a full fiscal year impact could be an additional $0.838 million per fiscal year.

Senate Bill 106 (Argall): This bill proposes an amendment to the Commonwealth’s Constitution that would revise the procedure by which the Lieutenant Governor is elected.

The Department of State estimates the cost for the required publication of the passage of the Constitutional amendment to be approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million. The total cost incurred for publishing following the passage of the bill in two consecutive sessions would be approximately $2 million to $3 million.

Sen. Hughes voted against SB 106.

Senate Bill 116 (Scavello): This bill removes language on the operation of the Conservation Center which the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) no longer operates. It also modernizes the process for the sale and disposition of property.

This legislation would not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Bill 158 (Regan): This bill establishes medals for law enforcement officers, fire and EMS personnel.

This bill should result in minimal fiscal impact to Commonwealth funds. However, the cost of the medals will impact the local funds of the agency awarding the medal.

House Bill 326 (O’Neal): This bill adds a section that would allow the Pennsylvania National Guard to participate in the distribution and administration of items for a virus.

This legislation would not have any adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.

Senate Appropriations and Education Joint Committee Hearing met on February 9, 2021 for a PASSHE Update:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 26, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

Senate Bill 2 (K. Ward): This bill proposes three separate amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution,

under Articles I, III and IV. The first amendment would add a new section to Article I – Declaration of Rights. New Section 29 provides that equity of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of the race or ethnicity of the individual.

The second amendment would modify section 9 of Article III – Legislation, to exclude Joint Resolutions on the question of terminating or extending a declaration of disaster emergency from presentment to the Governor for approval.

The third amendment would add a new section to Article IV – The Executive, providing for the declaration and management of a disaster emergency by the Executive. New section 20 provides that the General Assembly shall, by statute, provide for the manner in which disasters shall be managed by the Executive. Further, the amendment restricts the timeframe for which a disaster emergency declaration shall be effective to no more than 21 days, unless extended by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly.

The Department of State estimates the cost for the required publication of the passage of the Constitutional amendments to be approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million, per required publication. Because this is the second passage of the amendments, the costs would be restricted to the current fiscal year.

The bill passed along party lines with all Senate Democrats voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 8 (Baker): This bill amends Article 1, Section 11 (Courts to be open; suits against the Commonwealth) of the Pennsylvania Constitution, by adding a new subsection (b) to provide that for an individual where the statute of limitations period has expired, the individual will have a two-year window in which to file a civil action alleging childhood sexual abuse.

The Department of State estimates the cost for the required publication of the passage of the Constitutional amendment to be approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million, per required publication. Because this is the second passage of the amendment, the costs would be restricted to the current fiscal year.

Senate Bill 87 (Baker): This bill amends Titles 18, 23 and 42 to increase the grading for the offense of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children) and to provide for additional circumstances where a sentencing enhancement would apply to the offense. The Task Force on Child Pornography is created.

Enactment of Senate Bill 87 may result in an impact to Commonwealth funds as it relates to increased state prison sentences and increased amount of time being served by defendants.

Senators Haywood, Saval, and Street voted against the bill.

Senate Bill 109 (Pittman): This bill amends the Fiscal Code to repeal the “COVID Relief – Mortgage and Rental Assistance Grant Program.”

The bill was amended in committee to include the following:

Provide for the distribution of $912 million from the COVID-19 Response Restricted Account in the following manner:

Rental and Utility Assistance – $569.808 million will be allocated proportionally to all 67 counties based on U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for calendar year 2019. By September 30, counties must identify any excess or shortfall in funding. Any excess funding will be reallocated to counties identifying a need for additional funding based on the relative population proportion of the county.
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (Discretionary) – $47.075 million for Pennsylvania’s discretionary allocation which will be appropriated as follows:

Career and Technical Centers – $17.5 million to be allocated proportionally based on the secondary Career and Technical Education subsidy for the 2019-2020 school year.
Intermediate Units – $17.5 million to be allocated proportionally based on aid ratio and average daily membership.
Charter Schools for the Deaf and Blind and Approved Private Schools – $7.075 million to be allocated proportionally based on the total number of students.
State System of Higher Education – $5 million.

Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (Non-Public Schools) – $150.023 million in funding for non-public schools.
Hospitality Industry Recovery Program – $145 million to be allocated proportionally to all 67 counties for grants to hotels, restaurants, bars and taverns. Certified local economic development agencies will be responsible for administering the program, and they will be limited on the amount of fees they can charge (1% of the grant amount plus a flat fee not to exceed $750; the combined maximum fee is $1,250). The maximum grant award is limited to $50,000 per eligible recipient.

Senator Vincent Hughes

Chair

Appropriations 2021-2022

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, October 26, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 24, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, July 7, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, July 6, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 29, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 28, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 22, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 20, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 14, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 13, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 6, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 23, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

The Senate Appropriations and Education Committees held a legally mandated joint hearing on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 11, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 5, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, February 9, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, January 26, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee:

The Performance-Based Budget Board held a public hearing on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 to review the following:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 25, 2022, and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, January 24, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Performance-Based Budget Board held a public hearing on January 24, 2022 to review the following:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, December 14, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, December 13, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

The Senate Appropriations and Education Committees met held a joint public hearing on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education update regarding the latest report pursuant to Act 50 of 2020:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 26, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 18, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, September 29, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, the bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Friday, June 25, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 24, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 22, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 21, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 16, 2021and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 14, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 10, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 8, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, May 25, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 24, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 12, 2021 and reported the following bill from committee:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 10, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 27, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, April 20, 2021 and reported the following bill from committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 19, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, March 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 17, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Appropriations and Education held a Joint Committee Hearing on March 4, 2021 on COVID Impact on Local Districts, Parents, Students, and Educators:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, February 23, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote.

Senate Appropriations and Education Joint Committee Hearing met on February 9, 2021 for a PASSHE Update:

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 26, 2021 and reported the following bills from committee. Except where indicated, all bills were reported favorably by unanimous vote:

Senator Vincent Hughes

Committee News