HB 2499, PN 4280: This is the Senate-passed version of the
2006-2007 state budget. A vote of 40-8 was recorded. With the House
insisting on their version of the spending bill, the Senate also
insisted on its amendments. A conference committee was appointed
consisting of the following members: Sens. Brightbill, Wenger, and Fumo.
SB 180, PN 1959: This bill would help prevent identity theft by
permitting Pennsylvanians to place a security freeze on their consumer
report. A vote of 48-0 was recorded.
HB 247, PN 4415: This legislation would amend the Health Care
Facilities Act. A vote of 48-0 was recorded.
HB 1195, PN 4416: This bill would amend the Storage Tank and
Spill Prevention Act. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HB 2328, PN 4463: This legislation would double the current
maximum fines, as they are set out in the Crimes Code, for certain
offenses. This bill would also require the Commission on Sentencing to
adopt guidelines for fines. Sen. Fumo offered amendment A9055, which
inserted corrective language. The Senate agreed to the amendment, and
the bill went over as amended.
HB 185, PN 4464: This bill would make changes to the Public
School Code to improve the nutrition and wellness of Pennsylvania’s
children. This bill would require school districts to hold public
hearings before entering into food or beverage contracts and local
education agencies to develop nutritional guidelines and local wellness
policies. Sen. Rhoades offered amendment A8991, which would require
school districts to phase in higher nutritional guidelines over the next
three years and incorporate physical education as a central part of the
wellness policies to be established. The Senate agreed to the amendment,
and the bill went over as amended.
SB 557, PN 1962: This legislation would amend the Crimes Code to
expand and clarify provisions prohibiting contraband in state prisons. A
vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1148, PN 1894: This bill would amend the Second Class City
Policemen Relief Law to provide for surviving spouses. A vote of 49-0
was recorded.
SB 1218, PN 1945: This legislation would amend the Unfair Trade
Practices and Consumer Protection Law to provide an exclusion from
coverage for Internet service providers (ISPs). A vote of 49-0 was
recorded.
SB 1242, PN 1918: This Democratic-sponsored bill would add Blair
County to the port district comprising the Port of Pittsburgh
Commission. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1262, PN 1877: This bill would change the blood alcohol limit
for boaters to .08 percent, the current standard for Pennsylvania
drivers. This legislation would make other changes to the Fish Code
regarding penalties for operating a watercraft under the influence,
refusing to submit to blood alcohol testing, and aggravated assault by
watercraft while operating under the influence. A vote of 49-0 was
recorded.
HB 2437, PN 3506: This bill would make it easier for
Pennsylvania National Guard members to afford a college education by
increasing the grant amounts for part-time undergraduate students. A
vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HB 2441, PN 3510: This legislation would permit local
governments to receive electronic bids for contracts on supplies and
services, contingent on their ability to ensure confidentiality in the
bidding process. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HB 2633, PN 4282: This bill would designate a bridge in Fayette
County as the “Cpl. Victor Kozares, D.S.C., Bridge.” A vote of 49-0 was
recorded.
HB 2802, PN 4393: This bill would require the State Board of
Education to set standards for individuals working in the state’s K-12
schools as sign language interpreters. While several senators expressed
concerns about this bill’s impact on the quality of services provided to
deaf students, other senators contended that this legislation’s passage
was essential to ensuring that approximately 100 sign language
interpreters continue to serve in Pennsylvania schools. A vote of 49-0
was recorded.
SR 208, PN 1965: This Democratic-sponsored resolution directs
the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the
cost-effectiveness of consolidating school districts in Pennsylvania. A
vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SR 241, PN 1606: This resolution establishes a select committee
to review research and economic development initiatives through the
Tobacco Settlement Act. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SR 260, PN 1696: This resolution directs the Legislative Budget
and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of personal care
home services in Pennsylvania. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
HR 676, PN 3782: This concurrent resolution urges the state
congressional delegation to support legislation calling for federal
approval of the extension of the Lewis and Clark National Historical
Trail. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 332, PN 1777: This bill would streamline the procedure for
registering foreign adoptions in Pennsylvania. A vote of 49-0 was
recorded on concurrence in House amendments.
SB 775, PN 1795: This legislation would amend the Interstate
Compact for the Supervision of Adult Offenders Act to authorize an
application fee for ex-offenders transferring from Pennsylvania to
another state. A vote of 49-0 was recorded on concurrence in House
amendments.
SB 809, PN 1958: This bill would amend the Second Class Township
Code to permit auditors to be compensated for up to eight hours per day
when attending a conference, institute, school, or convention. A vote
of 49-0 was recorded on concurrence in House amendments.
SB 874, PN 1914: This bill is an itemization for authorization
of local and state bridges for repairs, rehabilitation, reconstruction,
or new construction. A vote of 49-0 was recorded on concurrence in House
amendments.
SB 1043, PN 1944: This legislation would provide for free
tuition at any state-owned or state-related college or university for
the children and spouse of any Pennsylvania National Guard member killed
in the line of duty. This bill would also increase the amount of life
insurance coverage provided to Guard members. A vote of 49-0 was
recorded on concurrence in House amendments.
