HB 514 PN 1792 This legislation exempts spent shotgun and rifle shell casings, ejected during normal hunting activities, from the definition of litter.  “Normal hunting activities” shall not include a circumstance when a person has fired more than six rounds from a stationary position.  A 48-1 vote was recorded.

SB 769 PN 1388 This legislation creates the Elderly Immunization Act, providing influenza and pneumococcal disease vaccines for elderly people 65 years of age or older.  More specifically, when an eligible person is admitted to a hospital for a period of more than 24 hours, for a condition unrelated to the influenza virus or pneumococcal disease, he or she should be informed that they are eligible and provided the opportunity to receive a vaccine against the influenza virus and pneumococcal diseases before they are discharged.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

SB 815 PN 1389 The legislation amends the Insurance Department Act as it relates to large deductible insurance policies and exempts certain collateral from qualifying as an asset of the estate of an insolvent insurer.  Large deductible policies are those that exceed $250,000.  A 47-2 vote was recorded.

SB 938 PN 1235 The measure creates an additional requirement that a person not only be properly licensed but also have the proper endorsement for the vehicle being driven.  By making this change an individual could be prosecuted under this statute who has caused a deadly accident while driving a commercial vehicle without the proper training and licensing.  The penalty structure remains the same.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

SB 966 PN 1291 This bill would name the portion of State Route 23 between the western boundary of Earl Township in Lancaster County and the Berks County line as the Representative Leroy M. Zimmerman Memorial Highway.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

SB 969 PN 1390 The bill would name the Clairton-Glassport Bridge as the Senator Edward P. Zemprelli Bridge.  The bridge connects the City of Clairton to the Borough of Glassport in Allegheny County and traverses the Monongahela River.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

HB 1927 PN 2519:  This legislation amends Title 34 by increasing the penalty for injuring a Wildlife Conservation Officer to a felony of the second degree, providing for a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $25,000 and the possibility of imprisonment for up to ten years.

A0161 Mellow  Technical amendment that clarifies that the harm caused is intentional.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

HB 2004 PN 3308: This bill raises the horsepower restriction on Pymatuning Lake from 10 to 20 horsepower.  It also restricts water-skiing and increases penalties for certain violations.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

HB 2006 PN 3291: The legislation creates  a stand-alone act to be known as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Pittsburgh.  It provides for the creation of an authority, which is established for the purpose of assisting cities in solving their budgetary and financial problems

Duties of the authority would include assisting cities in solving their budgetary and financial problems, negotiating intergovernmental cooperation agreements and making reports.  The authority would be comprised of a 5 member board consisting of  one member each appointed by the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader.  The Budget Secretary and the director of finance for the city of Pittsburgh shall serve as ex-officio members.  All members, except the Budget Secretary, must be residents of the assisted city or have their primary place of employment or business within the city. 

The financial plan shall include a balanced 5 year projection  of revenues and expenditures that eliminates any projected deficits and enhances the ability of the city to access the credit markets.  The city would be required to submit such a financial plan for the approval of the authority at least 100 days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year and a new 5 year plan must be approved each fiscal year.  The Commonwealth would have the ability to withhold funds if the authority determines the city is not in compliance with the financial plan. A 49-0 vote was recorded.

HB 2332 PN 3288 This bill, entitled the “Water and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act,” would place a question on the April 27, 2004 primary election ballot to ask voters whether or not they favored the incurrence of $250,000,000 of indebtedness for use as grants and loans for construction, expansion, and improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure (including water supply and sewage treatment systems).  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

SB 152 PN 1324 The legislation establishes the Uniform Trade Secrets Act under Title 12 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.  The act will provide civil penalties for the misappropriation of trade secrets by the acquisition or disclosure of such trade secrets by improper means.  A trade secret is defined as information, including a formula, drawing, pattern, compilation including a customer list, program, device, method, technique or process that derives independent economic value from not being generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means by others who could realize economic value from its disclosure or use.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

SB 778 PN 1391 This bill creates the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) Program to provide assistance to companies that sre less than 8 years old and fall within targeted technology or other business sectors defined by a KIZ partnership.  The bill also expands the cap on the Machinery Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) from $500,000 to $5million.  This is the first piece of legislation in the Governor’s economic stimulus package.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS

Gerard N. Massaro was confirmed to the PA Board of Probation and Parole.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

Thomas A. Michlovic was confirmed to the PA Securities Commission.  A 49-0 vote was recorded.

Joseph Coughlin and Susan M. McDermott were confirmed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board.  A 49-0 vote was recorded for each.