HB 147, PN4148: The legislation amends the Tax Reform Code to create a film production tax credit.  The bill establishes a film production tax credit program to be administered by the Department of Revenue. Under the program, a taxpayer subject to qualified tax liabilities is eligible for a tax credit equal to 15% of the first $10 million and 20% for an eligible production with a total aggregate production expense that exceeds $10 million.  A 49-1 vote was recorded. 

SB 871, PN1730: The legislation adds Chapter 37, Humane Society Police Officers, to Title 22 (Detectives and Private Police) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.  The bill creates a Humane Society Police Officer Advisory Board to advise the Secretary of Agriculture in the administration of Chapter 37.  The bill also establishes the Humane Officer Account, a restricted account within the General Fund administered by PDA for covering funding costs of processing appointments and renewals, for Board operations, training programs and other expenses.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.

SB 1039, PN1744: The legislation amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to clarify the definition of “agency.”  The definition of “agency” will include the governing board of any nonprofit corporation which by a written agreement with a community college or State-aided,

State-owned or State-related institution of higher education including a community college, which governing board is granted supervisory or advisory powers regarding the degree programs of the institution of higher education.  A 50-0 vote was recorded. 

The following amendment was agreed to the prior to final passage and included in the final language of the bill:

A2523(Corman): This amendment ensures that the written agreements referred to in the definition are mutually binding and legal. 

SB 1040, PN1742: The legislation amends the Environmental Education Act to establish the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education and the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education Board.  The responsibilities of the center include promoting partnerships with educators, businesses, and environmental organizations.  The center, established within the State System of Higher Education, is also responsible for inventorying and disseminating environmental education materials and evaluating the effectiveness of existing environmental education programs.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.   

The following amendment was agreed to the prior to final passage and included in the final language of the bill:

            A2509(Piccola): This is a technical amendment that clarifies language in the bill.

SB 1042, PN1743: The legislation establishes the Office of Pollution Reduction and Prevention within the Department of Environmental Protection.  The bill also establishes a “Pollution Prevention Index”, an “Environmental Report Card” and the “Rachel Carson Environmental Excellence Award.”  A 50-0vote was recorded.

The following amendment was agreed to the prior to final passage and included in the final language of the bill:

A2493(O’Pake): This is a technical amendment that clarifies language in the bill.

SB 1139, PN1708: The legislation amends the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) to further provide for both application and regulation of the Act and for project definitions.  The intent of the bill is to exclude certain projects from the provisions of the Code.  A 40-10 vote was recorded.

The following amendments were added prior to final passage and included in the final language of the bill:

A2483(Scarnati): This amendment provides for the following: excludes maximum area for exempted “utility and miscellaneous use structures” in Allegheny County and the City of Philadelphia, where set by ordinance; excludes the stairway dimension requirements for one and two family dwellings; authorizes code administrators to serve as lumber inspectors to comply with International Building Code requirements; and permits the Department of Labor and Industry to consider past work experience in setting regulation standards for a waiver of inspector training requirements.  A 41-9 vote was recorded.

A2488(Erickson): This amendment adds second class A counties to the exemption Philadelphia receives in the definition of Utility and Miscellaneous Use Structures.  The amendment was agreed to.

A2520(Ferlo): This amendment continues Allegheny County’s enforcement of the plumbing code promulgated for plumbing safety under the Local Health Administration Law and prohibits municipalities located within Allegheny County from enforcing plumbing codes under the UCC.  The amendment was agreed to.

HB 2042, PN4058: The legislation amends Title 34 (Game) to provide for the issuance of a special wild turkey license. The license allows a hunter to harvest additional turkeys above and beyond the number allowed by a regular license.  The cost of the license shall be $20 for a resident and $40 for a nonresident.  A 50-0 vote was recorded.