SB 390, PN 1681: This bill amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by creating a vehicle classification of “custom farm service implement of husbandry” and provides an exemption from registration for this vehicle class when operated within the increased distance limitation of 50 miles between farmers’ farms and between a farm and an agribusiness center. Senator Brubaker offered amendment A6302 which removed language dealing with securing loads in vehicles. The Senate agreed to the amendment and the bill went over in its order.
HB 735, PN 2093: This bill amends Title 34 (Game) to provide for non-display of hunting licenses. A vote of 46-3 was recorded.
SB 923, PN 960: This bill amends the Housing Authorities Law, further providing for powers of an authority. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1100, PN 1777: This bill amends Title 58 (Oil and Gas), pertaining to Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Several Democratic amendments were offered including A06380 from Senator Hughes that would provide money to LIHEAP. A vote of 19-30 was recorded on the amendment and it failed. Senator Stack offered amendment A6386 that would increase the bonding amounts for operators of natural gas wells to $200,000 to $1 million based on the number of wells. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-29. Senator Ferlo offered amendment A6387 which would remove the current chapter on local ordinances and reinsert language protecting the right of the local governments to regulate zoning and land development of oil and gas activity. The amendment failed by a vote of 22-27. Senator Hughes offered amendment A6416 that would remove certain funding and increase the CFA funding as well as provide for Growing Greener. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-29. Senator Hughes also offered amendment A6375 which replaces the current fee structure with the fee structured that has a 14-year step-down in $5,000 increments, starting at $75,000. The amendment failed by a vote of 24-25. A passing vote of 29-20 was recorded on the bill.
SB 1183, PN 1778: This bill amends several titles of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for Pennsylvania’s management of its sex offender population. The bill re-writes Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law in order to address certain court cases and to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), Title 1 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1276, PN 1780: The bill amends the County Code by permitting that following the census, a county of the 3rd Class having a population over 500,000 inhabitants elect not to become a 2nd Class County A, they would have the option to remain a county of 3rd Class that would go into effect by ordinance or resolution of the Board of Commissioners. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1310, PN 1782: The legislation amends the Unemployment Compensation Law by permitting the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority to issue bonds if the issuance to repay federal advances, including interest, would result in a savings to the employers of the Commonwealth. In addition, an Unemployment Compensation Amnesty Program will be authorized for a three month period in 2012 that will partially waive unpaid interest debt in return for outstanding obligations being paid in full. Senator Tartaglione offered amendment A06402 which provides for a COLA that would be calculated according to the CPI. A vote of 16-33 was recorded on the amendment and it failed. Senator Tartaglione also offered amendment A06404 that would remove all the language in the bill that lowers the State Adjustment Factor in 2018. The amendment failed by a vote of 16-33. Senator Leach offered amendment A06424 which would add a new quarter base period for certain individuals. The amendment failed by a vote of 16-33. A vote of 33-16 was recorded on the bill.
SB 1268, PN 1774: The legislation is the Capital Budget Act of 2011 for Highways Damaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Senator Gordner offered amendment A06395 that would remove the $75,000,000 and change the amount to $74,066,000. The Senate agreed to the amendment and the bill went over in its order.
SB 1269, PN 1775: This bill is the Disaster Relief Act of 2011. Senator Gordner offered amendment A06397 which changed some of the funding amounts. The Senate agreed to the amendment and the bill went over in its order.
SB 1271, PN 1776: This legislation is the Flood Control and Disaster Mitigation Itemization Act of 2011. Senator Gordner offered amendment A6398 that added some definitions as well as changed funding amounts. The Senate agreed to the amendment and the bill went over in its order.
SB 1279, PN 1781: This legislation amends Title 30 (Fish) to further provide for the issuance of free fishing license to disabled veterans. Senator Baker offered amendment A06383 which adds the language that loan repayments shall be placed in the General Fund. The Senate agreed to the amendment and the bill went over in its order.
SR 202, PN 1687: This resolution urges the oil and gas industry to use acid mine water in hydrofracturing for natural gas. The use of mine water in this case should only be done if it is economically feasible and environmentally sound. The Senate adopted the resolution.