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HB 2026, PN 2803:
This bill would designate the bridge carrying State Route 6 over the
Allegheny River in Coudersport Borough, Potter County, as the Specialist
Mike Franklin Memorial Bridge and requires Penn Dot to erect signs on
either side of the bridge indicating said designation. The bill was
passed without amendments and will be returned to the House. A final
vote of 50-0 was recorded.
SB 1150, PN 1835:
The bill amends the Crimes Code establishing the offense of
demonstrating at a commemorative service. The Senate concurred in House
amendments and a final vote of 50-0 was recorded.
HB 248, PN 4277:
This bill amends Title 75, Vehicles, as it pertains to the Highway
Turnback Program. A final vote of 50-0 was recorded.
SB 1090, PN 1913:
This bill would amend the Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to make it gender
neutral, increase the minimum wage rate to $7.15 per hour in two steps
by July 1, 2007, permit employers to pay a training wage, and create an
exemption for certain small businesses.
Senator Tartaglione
offered amendment A8400 that allows employers to pay a training
wage to new employees for the first 60 days who are under 20 years of
age, that wage cannot be less than the federal minimum wage currently
$5.15. The amendment increases the minimum wage to $6.25 an hour on
January 1, 2007. On July 1, 2007 the minimum wage would increase to
$7.15. A final vote of 42-8 was recorded.
Senator Scarnati
offered amendment A8462 to Senator Tartaglione’s amendment A8400
that adds language, stating that small businesses who’s employee
complement is equivalent to ten full time employees calculated on a 40
hour work week will pay a minimum wage of $5.65 beginning January 1,
2007. On July 1, 2007 the minimum wage for those employers will rise to
$6.65. By July 1, 2008 those employers will pay $7.15. Senators
supporting this amendment stated that it would help the small businesses
in giving them additional time to prepare for a change in their budget.
Senators opposed to this amendment stated that it may cause businesses
to replace their full-time workers and rehire workers as part-time to
meet the financial requirements for their business and will cause
employees to lose both money and their benefits. It also delays the
paying of the new minimum wage to those workers who need it the most. A
final vote of 28-22 was recorded.
SB 1104, PN 1920:
This bill amends the Underground Utility Line Protection Law for the
purpose of reestablishing the law, which is scheduled to sunset December
31, 2006. Senator Tomlinson offered amendment A8374 that removes
Section 11 of the bill, which would have required that excavators or
contractors be responsible for locating the underground lines. It also
removes the Department of Transportation from participating in the One
Call System. Senator Brightbill offered amendment A8368 that
clarifies existing language in the bill requiring the use of sufficient
quality levels of subsurface utility engineering standards to properly
locate the existence and position of underground facilities. The
amendments were agreed to and the bill went over as amended.
SB 1205, PN 1869:
The bill amends the Domestic Relations Code pertaining to child support
obligations. A final vote of 50-0 was recorded.
HB 2317, PN 4338:
House Bill 2317 provides for the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act
of 2005-2006. Senator Madigan offered amendment A8415 that
includes additional capital projects in the category of public
improvement projects to be constructed by the Department of General
Services. Senator Corman offered amendment A8428 that also adds
additional projects. The amendments were agreed to a final vote of 50-0
was recorded.
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