Appropriations 2023-2024

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, March 18, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 559 (BAKER) – Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985 to Align Pennsylvania’s law with the current practice, training and education of athletic trainers.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 560 (BAKER) – Amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to align Pennsylvania’s law with the current practice, training and education of athletic trainers.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 915 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) by requiring PennDOT to reissue illegible veterans or military registration plates at no cost to the registrant.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 978 (BROWN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to require advertisement whenever a township transfer responsibility for its annual audit between elected auditors or an appointed CPA.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 982 (DUSH) – Amends the Second Class Township Code by authorizing townships to accept irrevocable letters of credit as a form of contract security.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 1054 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Overdose Mapping Act to add EMS providers as mandated reports to the Overdose Information Network system.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have an effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1234 (FREEMAN) – Amends the Third Class City Code in a manner consistent with recent revisions to the First Class Township Code as comprehensively updated by Act 96 of 2020.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds, but may affect city funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1295 (MULLINS) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations) to make changes to the process for disciplinary hearings conducted by the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1661 (METZGAR) – Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act by criminalizing the illicit possession and use of xylazine and provides for certain veterinary use exemptions.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth revenues and DOC costs.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23-1, with Senator Saval voting no.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, February 7 , 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:

 

SB 792 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to make changes regarding urban search and rescue task forces

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth and local funds however the scope of that impact is unknown due to variable factors. See the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1564 (CERRATO) – Amends the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act by creating an associate marriage and family therapist license and an associate professional counselor license

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will affect Commonwealth funds. See the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, February 5, 2024, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 228 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Establishes the Museum Unclaimed Loaned Property Act

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 403 (BAKER) – Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law to update licensing requirements of professional engineers, and provide updates to the practice of engineering, engineer interns, surveyors-in-training and distance education

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse effect on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 745 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends Title 62 (Procurement) to utilize National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards in state contracts for information technology commodities and services

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • Amendment A03073 – Clarifies the NIST guidelines are the NIST Special Publication 800-series which are in effect as of the effective date of this section.
    • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
  • VOTE: The bill, as amended, was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 832 (YAW) – Amends Title 72 (State Government) to establish the Independent Energy Office

  • Fiscal Impact: The creation of a new IEO would have adverse fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 8 N, with Senator Haywood on leave.

HB 1246 (MALAGARI) – Establishes the Crematory Regulation Act

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1354 (YOUNG) – Amends the Child Labor Act to increase criminal penalties for Act violations, went over in its order.

 

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, December 13, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 55 (SANTARSIERO) – Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) and Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) with regard to awarding the custody of a child.

  • Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 907 (REGAN) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for school security personnel.

  • Fiscal Impact, without amendment: This legislation would impose additional salary and benefits costs to school districts who are not already in compliance (by already employing armed security personnel in all of their buildings). Once the provisions of the bill are fully implemented, salary costs alone could vary between $106 and $177 million per year. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • Amendment A03326: This amendment removes the requirement that a school entity have exactly “one” armed school security personnel and replaces it with a requirement that the school entity have “at least one full-time” armed personnel on duty during the day by the 2024-25 school year. The amendment also removes the ramp-up provision in Section 1316-C, which would have required 33% of school buildings to have an armed guard by 2025-26, 66% by 2026-27 and 100% by 2027-28.
    • VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

HB 666 (BULLOCK) – Amends the Housing Authorities Law (Act 265 of 1937) to provide for contracts with employees of a housing authority in a city of the first class.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N, with Senator Langerholc voting in the negative.

HB 689 (HARRIS) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to expand offenses eligible for clean slate limited access and limited access petitions.

  • Fiscal Impact: This fiscal note assumes that any costs associated with updating the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts’ clean slate process would be covered with existing budgetary resources.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1284 (NEILSON) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to make changes related to automated camera enforcement programs.

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would generate additional revenue to a restricted account in the Motor License Fund to be used for the Transportation Enhancement Grants Program. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1478 (CEPHAS) – Amends the Public School Code further providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene services.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact to Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 721 (SCHWANK) – Establishes the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) State Advisory Board.

  • Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes that any activities of the Board can be covered within existing departmental resources.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 613 (HARRIS) – University of Pennsylvania funding for FY 2023-24.

  • Fiscal Impact, WITHOUT AMENDMENT: This legislation appropriates $32.293 million is for the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary activities; and $1.931 million is for the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Infectious Diseases for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Both represent a funding increase of 2% over General Fund appropriations in the current 2022-23 fiscal year. These amounts are identical to those recommended in the Governor’s 2023-24 Executive Budget.
  • Amendment A03286– This amendment reduces the appropriations for veterinary activities from $32,293,000 to $31,660,000 and for the Center for Infectious Diseases from $1,931,000 to $1,893,000. The revised amounts reflect level-funding with the prior 2022-23 fiscal year.
    • VOTE, on amendment: The amendment was adopted 16 Y – 8 N, with Senators Haywood, Miller, Santarsiero , Saval, Schwank, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative. 
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously. 

HB 900 (CEPHAS) – Amends Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to implement and codify various best practices related to the incarceration of women.

  • Fiscal Impact: Any potential fiscal implications at the state level stemming from enactment of the legislation are anticipated to be handled with existing resources. Due to unknown variables, any potential fiscal implications at the local level cannot be quantified at this time. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1096 (MALAGARI) – Amends the Liquor Code to allow amusement parks and public gardens to obtain a public venue license and provides that hotel liquor licenses issued before 1965 can be converted to a restaurant liquor license for a fee.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will likely result in additional revenues for the Commonwealth. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee This fiscal analysis assumes that any activities of the Board can be covered within
  • existing departmental resources unanimously.

HB 1131 (BOROWSKI) – Amends Act 218 of 1905 to authorize the Department of Health to close state health centers when a county has elected to operate its own county health department.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1258 (KINSEY) – Amends the Public School Code to allow school entities to fully include students participating in dual enrollment programs in their Average Daily Membership calculation.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill will have no adverse impact to Commonwealth funds, and some school districts may experience nominal fluctuations in their budget attributable to an increased ADM.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, December 11, 2023 and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 142 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Funeral Director Law to provide for licensure in the event of a deceased licensee.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 634 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Right-to-Know Law to permit disability accommodation materials provided for a public official to be exempt from disclosure.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 943 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Travel Insurance Modernization Act to further provide for a comprehensive legal framework for the sale of travel insurance to residents of the Commonwealth.

  • Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes that implementation costs the Insurance Department may occur can be covered within existing departmental resources.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 979 (CULVER) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to provide the Department of Agriculture with the authority to require the posting of notices regarding information on dangerous transmissible diseases.

  • Fiscal Impact: This bill would have no adverse fiscal impact to the Commonwealth.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 38 (MUSTELLO) – Amends the Liquor Code to allow a liquor license to be transferred when given prior approval, contingent on a surcharge.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will result in additional revenues for the State Stores Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 269 (WEBSTER) – Amends Title 16 (Counties) by protecting the confidentiality of discharge records of military personnel and veterans.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1160 (N. NELSON) – Amends the Liquor Code to provide for the expansion of off-premises catering permits by applicable licensees.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will likely result in additional revenues for the State Stores Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1278 (PIELLI) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to authorize state parole agents and police officers employed by the Department of Corrections to wear body cameras and to extend the expiration of the Wiretap Act to December 31, 2029.

  • Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Kearney, Santarsiero, Saval, and Hughes voting in the negative.

HB 1507 (TOPPER) – Amends the Public School Code to increase flexibility for school entities to schedule instructional time.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this bill would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, November 14, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 596 (ARGALL) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide for the offense of organized retail theft and to establish the Office of Deputy Attorney General for Organized Retail Crime Theft.

  • Fiscal Impact: The Office of Attorney General estimates the annual costs to comply with the provisions of this legislation are $2.352 million plus additional one-time startup costs of $519,632.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 6 N with Senators Haywood, Kearney, Saval, Street, Costa, and Hughes voting in the negative.

SB 910 (COLEMAN) – Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)), providing for the expungement of certain civil penalties.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 301 (HARKINS) – Amends the Public School Code to replace and update outdated terminology to conform with modern usage.

  • Fiscal Impact (PRE-AMENDMENT): Enactment of this legislation will not have an impact on Commonwealth funds. Funds have already been appropriated to address this issue.

 

  • Amendment A03007 (FERRY) – Omnibus school code amendment
  • VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Kearney, Saval, and Street coming in the negative.

 

  • Amendment A02952 – Level-Up Amendment
  • VOTE: The amendment was tabled by a party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.

 

  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a vote of  22 Y – 2 N with Senators Kearney and Saval voting in the negative.

HB 1058 (KRAJEWSKI) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) requiring courts to solicit and consider the opinions of potential kinship care resources in child custody proceedings.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1556 (KLUNK) – Amends the Right to Know Law to require state-related institutions to report additional information on an annual basis.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 

NOTE: HB1304 and HB1540 were pulled from the agenda.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 24, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

SB 7 (AUMENT) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to develop policy that provides parental control relating to instructional materials and books containing sexually explicit content

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds. Local school districts will incur potentially significant costs related to implementation of this bill. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

SB 340 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Public School Code to require school entities to post information online relating to textbooks and instructional courses offered in the school entity

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact commonwealth funds. Local school districts will incur potentially significant costs related to implementation of this bill. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

SB 438 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to create a Veteran-Owned Business Logo for use by veteran-owned businesses

  • Fiscal Impact: This legislation allows for the collection of fees to offset costs to administer the program and to provide increased revenue to the Veterans’ Trust Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
    • Amendment A02726- Removes the provisions of the bill relating to fees charged to use the veteran owned business logo
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

SB 689 (YAW) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to allow municipalities and PennDOT to apply for a permit to continuously maintain, inspect and monitor watercourses, water obstructions, and encroachments specified within permits

  • Fiscal Impact:
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.

SB 690 (YAW) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for county conservation district stream reconstruction emergency permit authorizations

  • Fiscal Impact:
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.

SB 959 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetics Act to provide for the automatic scheduling of a substance when the substance is added to the schedules as a controlled substance under Federal law

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N, with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.

HB 295 (RABB) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to align the registration process and tonnage reporting for the soil and plant amendment program under Chapter 69 with those for fertilizer under Chapter 68

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1170 (SAPPEY) – Amends the Milk Marketing Law to rename the Milk Marketing Board to the Pennsylvania Milk Board

  • Fiscal Impact: The legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 23, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 353 (DUSH) – Establishes the Display of the Preamble of the Constitution of Pennsylvania Act, which will require school entities to display the Preamble of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds but would impact local funds. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Kearney, Saval and Santarsiero voting in the negative.

SB 456 (DUSH) – Establishes the Display of the Preamble Act, which will require school entities to display the Preamble of the United States Constitution.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds but would impact local funds. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Kearney, Saval and Santarsiero voting in the negative.

HB 156 (PASHINSKI) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to make changes to the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 157 (PASHINSKI) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to authorize the development of a PA Preferred Organic trademark.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1094 (MUNROE) – Amens the Public School Code to require school districts to develop policy for the advanced enrollment of students whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the armed forces.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds. This fiscal analysis assumes that any impacts to school districts will be minimal to none.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, October 17, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

HB 735 (WARREN) – Establishes the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal on commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 1351 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Human Services Code to make changes to the Rural Health Redesign Center Authority and implement provisions related to the General Appropriations Act of 2023.

  • Fiscal Impact: E Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth funds and would result in additional savings to the General Fund in the MA program. However, failure to enact this legislation would adversely impact commonwealth funds and those entities receiving payments.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, October 16, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 897 (BAKER) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) increasing the penalties for moving violations in relation to school buses.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have a minimal impact on the Motor License Fund. Additional fines levied under this legislation would result in revenue to the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 933 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to reform the structure of the advisory councils that oversee the operation of each of the state veterans’ homes.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth
  • funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 934 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends the Municipalities Planning Code to exempt the Turnpike Commission from local ordinances.

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the PTC.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 – 1 N with Senator Haywood voting in the negative.

SB 941 (BROOKS) – Amends the Administrative Code, as it relates to reporting by Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) for staffing requirements flexibilities for licensed addiction treatment programs during an opioid epidemic.

  • Fiscal Impact: Reporting on regulatory flexibilities should have minimal to no impact on commonwealth funds. The requirement to collect workforce data and report on a quarterly basis may require additional resources, as this data is not currently reported at the department level. The department is currently reviewing these provisions, so no estimates are available at this time.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 404 (WATRO) – Amends Title 51 further providing for persons to retain their professional and occupational licenses when inducted or drafted into military service by expanding listed agencies to include the departments of Health and Agriculture.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Monday, October 2, 2023 and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 69 (LANGERHOLC) – Establishes the Recovery-to-Work Act

  • Fiscal Impact: L&I believes it will need $4.660 million to implement an effective two-year pilot program to serve 100 individuals, or $46,608 per participant. Please see the fiscal note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N. 

SB 423 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 71 (State Government) to permit State Employees’ Retirement System annuitants to return to work as part-time, state-certified fire instructors while keeping continued benefit payments

  • Fiscal Impact: Per the actuarial note provided by the Independent Fiscal Office, this legislation would have a de minimis cost impact on the State Employees’ Retirement Fund
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 531 (BAKER) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to require legislative input into the Veterans’ Trust Fund grant process

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

SB 799 (ROTHMAN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to permit counties to dedicate supplemental bridge allocations to municipalities for maintaining bridges

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.  
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 824 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act to provide for free credit monitoring for victims of data breaches

  • Fiscal Impact: According to the Governor’s Budget Office and Office of Attorney General, enactment of this legislation would not adversely impact Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, September 20, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 851 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to extend the temporary regulations for the School Bus Stop Arm Camera Enforcement Program from five years to six years, or upon promulgation of final regulations

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 27 (STRUZZI) – Amends the Public School Code to temporarily extend or make permanent certain substitute teacher and classroom monitor permit provisions under Act 91 of 2021, consolidates school safety programs within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and allocates K-12 mental health funding

  • Fiscal Impact: This legislation transfers funds between the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, relating to school safety. Please see Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 17 Y – 6 N, with Senators Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Saval, Schwank, and Street voting in the negative. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, September 19, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 224 (ARGALL) – Amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to change the General primary date for 2024 to March 19, 2024

  • Fiscal Impact: The Department of State estimates the cost associated with hiring temporary staff to handle the earlier petition period to be approximately $400,000. Additional one-time costs may also be incurred at the local level.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 654 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Tax Reform Code to allow a taxpayer to claim a percentage depletion deduction for depletion of a mine, oil and gas well and other natural deposit in conformity with federal law

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would reduce General Fund revenues by $7.8 million in FY 2023-24 and $7.2 million in FY 2024-25.See Fiscal Note for five year estimated fiscal impact.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 21 Y – 2 N, with Senators Saval and Haywood voting in the negative.

SB 815 (BAKER) – Amends the Tax Code to provide that the grantor of a trust who is treated as the owner of the trust pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be obligated to pay the appropriate Pennsylvania income taxes

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have a minimal fiscal impact on the General Fund. See Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

HB 797 (B. MILLER) – Amends the State Highway Law to require PennDOT to plant native vegetation along state highways

  • Fiscal Impact: The enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
  • A01956: Technical Amendment
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

HB 1171 (HILL-EVANS) – Amends the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act to increase the maximum distance between emergency shut-off devices and fuel dispensers from 200 feet to 350 feet

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

 Note: Senator Hughes was on personal leave. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, September 18, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 282 (ARGALL) – Creates the Restrictions for Associations with Russia and Belarus Act to prohibit the Commonwealth from entering into contracts or other contractual relations with Russia or Belarus

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on the General Fund. Costs related to implementation should be minimal and covered within current operating budgets.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 373 (BAKER) – Amends the State Lottery Law to provide for confidentiality of certain prizewinner identities

  • Fiscal Impact: This fiscal analysis assumes minimal to no impact on Lottery sales if prizewinner information is limited to municipality and county of residence, based on anonymous Lottery winners in other states. However, please note the PA Lottery believes that providing some prizewinners information builds public trust in the fairness of their games and full anonymity could impact future product sales.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 382 (LAUGHLIN) – Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to define structures that may prevent shore erosion, and to lower the permit fee required to construct, repair or remove such structures

  • Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, reducing the fee charged for privately owned groin structures would result in an annual revenue loss of $13,000 for the Clean Water Fund.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 712 (BROWN) – Amends the Clinical Laboratory Act to exempt source plasma donation centers from the Act’s provisions, and to add new sections relating to advertisements for laboratory tests and plasmapheresis

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not significantly impact commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 749 (DUSH) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to prohibit the surcharge of township officials who have acted in good faith on a solicitor’s opinion, and to provide for the appointment of a partnership, limited partnership, association or professional corporation to act as the township manager

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 754 (BROWN) – Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to provide for the electronic transmission of certain documents

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 773 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Medical Marijuana Act to provide for additional permits to independent growers/processors

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 20 Y – 2 N, with Senators Saval and Street voting in the negative.

SB 843 (ARGALL) – Amends the Public School Code to authorize Pennsylvania’s entry into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

  • Fiscal Impact: The Department of Education estimates an annual cost of $200,000 to implement the provisions of the compact, if the Commonwealth ends up joining. There may also be additional costs to the Commonwealth. See Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, August 30, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.:

SB 757 (STEFANO) – Amends the Fiscal Code to clarify budget implementation language for the Pennsylvania Department of Education

  • Fiscal Impact, without amendment: Enactment of this legislation should have no impact on commonwealth funds
  • A01921 (MARTIN)– Omnibus amendment see Fiscal Note
    • VOTE, on amendment: party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • A01926 (MILLER)– NIZ amendment
  • MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9N.

HB 1209 (TWARDZIK) – Amends the Tobacco Product Manufacturer Directory Act to make changes relating to nonparticipating manufacturers as well as impose bond requirements

  • Fiscal Impact:
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 

HB 1300 (MEHAFFIE) – Amends Act64 of 2015 which established the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council, to add a council member from the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

  • Fiscal Impact, without amendment: Enactment of this legislation should have no impact on commonwealth funds.
  • A01922 (MARTIN)– Omnibus amendment see Fiscal Note
    • VOTE, on amendment: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N
    • MOTION TO TABLE BILL AS AMENDED: Party line vote of 15 N – 9 Y.
  • A01916 (HUGHES)Whole Home Repairs Amendment
  • MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • A01918 (HUGHES)– Level Up Supplement
  • MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • A01924 (HUGHES)– Student teacher stipend
  • MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • A01925 (HUGHES)- Indigent Defense
  • MOTION TO TABLE AMENDMENT: Party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party line vote of 15 Y – 9 N.

HB 1407 (BOYD) – Amends the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Act to repeal the current method of measurement

  • Fiscal Impact:
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Friday, June 30, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

HB 611 (HARRIS) – General Appropriation Act of 2023

  • Fiscal Impact: Amounts included in House Bill 611 reflect the current 2022-23 fiscal year’s General Appropriations Act. An amendment is expected as part of the budget process for 2023-24.
  • A01724 Gut and Replace amendment. See Fiscal Note for more information. 
  • VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

HB 1100 (SAMUELSON) – Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act to expand the Property Tax Rent Rebate program by increasing income limits and the reimbursement amount for both homeowners and renters

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact the Lottery Fund and indirectly the Property Tax Relief Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

 

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 29, 2023, and reported the following bill from committee:

HB 479 (BOROWSKI) – Removing the twenty loaded miles reimbursement policy contained in the state’s Medical Assistance reimbursement program for ground ambulance transportation.

  • A01648 (Martin) – Gut and replace amendment converting the bill from the Human Services Code to the Fiscal Code and creating within the State Treasury the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), a private school voucher program for eligible K-12 students residing in low-achieving school catchment areas.
    • AMENDMENT VOTE: The amendment was adopted 15-9 on a party line vote
  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation as amended will cost the commonwealth approximately $103M for the PASS program in FY 2023-2024 and will incur additional costs in the Medical Assistance in FY 2024-2025. See Fiscal Note for full details.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported as amended out of committee 15-9 on a party line vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 28, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

SB 44 (DUSH) – Amends Titles 18 (Crimes & Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) in human trafficking.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

SB 45 (COLLETT) – Amends the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline Notification Act.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 

SB 125 (DUSH) – Amends Title 25 (Elections) requiring Pennsylvania to work with other states to perform voter cross-check functions and notify counties of ineligible voters.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N

SB 146 (BREWSTER) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to allow for a therapeutic recreation exemption for fishing licenses.

  • Fiscal Impact: The PA Fish and Boat Commission does not anticipate significant fiscal implications for the Fish Fund from enactment of the legislation. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 

SB 371 (BAKER) – Amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law by creating the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have fiscal impact on Commonwealth and Local Funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 

HB 804 (BURNS) – Amends Act 287 of 1982 to change residency requirements for public institutions of higher education or private institutions that receive a non-preferred appropriation to provide in-state tuition rates to veterans, military personnel and their dependent children and spouses when residency is established.

  • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
  • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    HB 613 (HARRIS) – University of Pennsylvania funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 614 (HARRIS) – Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 615 (HARRIS) – Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 616 (HARRIS) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 617 (HARRIS) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 618 (HARRIS) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 619 (HARRIS) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 620 (HARRIS) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 621 (HARRIS) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

    HB 622 (HARRIS) – Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2023.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations reflect amounts identical to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for 2023-24.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

    HB 623 (HARRIS) – Capital Budget Act of 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation provides for the Capital Budget Act of 2023-2024. The maximum principal amount of additional debt to be incurred by the Commonwealth is $1.335 billion. In addition, the Commonwealth will incur interest payments on the general obligation bonds issued. The amount of debt service on the outstanding general obligation bonds will be dependent on interest rates at the time of the bond sale. The proceeds from the bond sale will be deposited into the Capital Facilities Fund.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 1461 (HARRIS) – Lincoln University funding for FY 2023-24

    • Fiscal Impact: This appropriation represents an increase of $3.834 million (25.3%) in state General Funds over the current 2022-23 fiscal year. When accounting for one-time federal funding in the current year, the increase is $3.076 million (19.3%).
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 683 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to require urine drug screening for fentanyl and xylazine in hospitals.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have any adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously

    SB 740 (REGAN) – Amends the Second Class Township Code regarding the compensation of auditors.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 750 (MARTIN) – Amends the Public School Code to provide that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to completing high school.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 765 (COMITTA) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to make several changes to the Borough Code in line with recent updates to the First Class Township Code.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note regarding possible savings to local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 774 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 11 (Cities) to allow a third class city to appoint a partnership, limited partnership, association or professional corporation as the city administrator.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 775 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for emergency meeting powers and succession of local officers during an emergency.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 784 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide an alternative process for the formation of a government study commission to consider home rule for municipalities currently in the Act 47 recovery program.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 838 (BAKER) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) to establish probation review conferences and limits on total confinement for technical violations.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds and could result in an estimated savings to the Department of Corrections. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N, with Senators Dush, Langerholc, and Saval voting in the negative. 

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 26, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 209 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends the Public School Code to allow children of a member of the National Guard or Reserves to be afforded the same rights as a child eligible under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds but may have a minimal impact on local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 260 (ROBINSON) – Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) to authorize parole agents to wear body cameras that can capture their encounters with parolees.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds as it simply authorizes parole agents and BII personnel to wear body cameras and does not appropriate funding for this purpose.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 22 Y – 2 N, with Senators Hughes and Saval voting in the negative.

    SB 500 (BROOKS) – Amends the Human Services Code to provide for medical assistance coverage for pasteurized donor human milk.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact commonwealth and federal funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 756 (ROBINSON) – Amends the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow the use of recycled materials in stuffed toys sold in Pennsylvania and to update labeling requirements.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 836 (FARRY) – Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to provide for definitions and for powers and duties of the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will have no impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, June 22, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 37 (BROWN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to establish a prohibition on holding an interactive communications device while operating a motor vehicle.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may result in additional revenue to Commonwealth or local funds depending on citations issued. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 20 Y – 4 N, with Senators Hughes, Haywood, Saval, and Street voting in the negative.

    SB 81 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends the Pharmacy Act by permitting EMS providers to distribute Naloxone to a caregiver of a patient that has overdosed.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 149 (BREWSTER) – Amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to allow counties to impose a fee on properties sold for delinquent taxes and to create a demolition and rehabilitation fund.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. There would be a local funds impact to the extent counties opt-in to the fee and designated fund.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee 23 Y – 1 N, with Senator Phillips-Hill voting in the negative.

    SB 344 (GEBHARD) – Amends Title 34 (Game) to allow nonresident college students to purchase hunting licenses at the same cost as Pennsylvania resident licenses.

    • Fiscal Impact: The legislation is expected to have minimal fiscal impact on the Game Fund. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 490 (MARTIN) – General Appropriation Act of 2023.

    • Fiscal Impact: Currently, this legislation only has two state appropriations, totaling $30.128 million.
      • NOTE: This bill currently only contains two state appropriations. This is customary practice to get required legislative readings in preparation for a final budget amendment as part of a negotiated package.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    SB 506 (BAKER) – Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to update requirements related to alleged incapacitated persons and appointed guardians.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth and local funds. See the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 611 (HARRIS) – General Appropriation Act of 2023.

    • Fiscal Impact: Amounts included in House Bill 611 currently reflect the proposal sent by the House of Representatives on June 5, 2023. This fiscal analysis reflects the current printer’s number as passed by the House of Representatives on June 5, 2023, prior to any amendment in the Senate.
      • Amendment A01156 – This bill will be amended by A01156 in the Appropriations Committee to reflect current fiscal year 2022-23 appropriations only. This is customary practice to get required legislative readings in preparation for a final budget amendment as part of a negotiated package.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 561 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to provide an exception for late model vehicles from emissions testing, including up to five years after the vehicle’s date of manufacture.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would impact Commonwealth funds and potentially federal funds received by the Commonwealth. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    SB 562 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to exempt certain counties from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds and potentially federal funds received by the Commonwealth.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    SB 656 (ROTHMAN) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to establish a road user charge for non-commercial passenger electric vehicles weighing not more than 14,000 pounds and repeals the at-home electricity reporting for electric vehicles.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation is estimated to yield a net increase of revenue to the Motor License Fund. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 21 Y – 3 N with Senators Hughes, Santarsiero, and Saval voting in the negative.

    SB 694 (FARRY) – Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to repeal an outdated provision of the Fireworks Law.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 753 (KEARNEY) – Amends Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) to make technical changes and to create a new chapter regarding solid waste collection and disposal.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds, and there may be savings for local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note section for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 198 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Environmental Hearing Board Act to make changes to the standard of review of the board.

    • Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, the legislation could result in the need for operational adjustments to accommodate changes to the review process for permit appeals. However, DEP is currently unable to determine how these changes would impact operational needs to identify cost implications. The Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee is awaiting further information from DEP on this matter.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    SB 199 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Environmental Hearing Board Act to require that board members seeking reappointment by the Governor receive the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate.

    • Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15 Y – 9 N.

    SB 246 (ARGALL) – Amends the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Disability Procedure Law to add requirements of notification of incapacitation.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on Commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 414 (VOGEL) – Establishes the Sexual Assault Emergency Services Act.

    • Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Health, enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth funds, due to IT and staffing costs. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information and estimates.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 19, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 290 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for a moment of silence on the anniversary of September 11 and a related model curriculum.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on commonwealth funds but may have a minimal impact on local funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 481 (MARTIN) – Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The amounts in this legislation reflect adjusted appropriations, $72.280 million, in the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The Governor’s 2023-24 Executive Budget recommends total funding of $90.264 million for the Department of State in support of its professional licensure boards.
      • Amendment A00881 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 482 (MARTIN) – Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation are identical to the funding appropriated in the current 2022-23 FY. The Governor’s Executive Budget for FY 2023-24 recommends amounts of $75.802 million and $550,000, respectively.
      • Amendment A00896 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 483 (MARTIN) – Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The amounts set forth in the legislation are identical to the funding appropriated in the
    • current 2022-23 fiscal year. The Governor’s Executive Budget for 2023-24 recommends funding of $1.910 million.
      • Amendment A01125 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 484 (MARTIN) – Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriation noted above reflects the amount identical to that appropriated in the current 2022-2023 fiscal year. The Governor’s 2023-2024 Executive Budget recommends an appropriation of $6.752 million in the upcoming budget year.
      • Amendment A00882 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 485 (MARTIN) – Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 485 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $57.489 million and $1.182 million from the Public School Employees’ Retirement Fund and PSERS Defined Contribution Fund to the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board, respectively.
      • Amendment A00735 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 486 (MARTIN) – State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 486 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $35.960 million and $5.345 million from the State Employees’ Retirement Fund and SERS Defined Contribution Fund to the State Employees’ Retirement Board, respectively.
      • Amendment A00734 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 487 (MARTIN) – Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The appropriations provided for in Senate Bill 487 reflect the same amounts as the current 2022-23 fiscal year. The recommended appropriations from the Governor’s Office of the Budget are $2.683 million from the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund and $200,000 from the Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Fund to the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
      • Amendment A00845 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 488 (MARTIN) – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2023-24.

    • Fiscal Impact: The amounts appropriated in this legislation reflect current 2022-23 fiscal year funding levels. The amounts recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office are $82.896 million for PUC operations and $5.538 million in federal funds total for pipeline and motor carrier safety.
      • Amendment A0884 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 489 (MARTIN) – Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2023.

    • Fiscal Impact: Senate Bill 489 appropriates $92.107 million from the State Gaming Fund, $518,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund. These appropriations reflect current fiscal year levels. The revised 2023-24 request from the Governor’s Budget Office is $98.096 million from the State Gaming Fund, $698,000 from the Fantasy Contest Fund and $1.158 million from the Video Gaming Fund.
      • Amendment A0885 – Aligns the amounts to those recommended by the Governor’s Budget Office for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
      • VOTE: The amendment was adopted unanimously.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee, as amended, unanimously.

    SB 607 (J. WARD) – Amends the State Lottery Law to provide that enrollees in the PACE and PACENET programs as of December 31, 2022, will remain eligible for the programs if their maximum income limit is exceeded due solely to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation would have no adverse impact on Commonwealth Lottery Funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 746 (VOGEL) – Amends the Dog Law allowing for modernization, improved customer service, enhanced public safety and animal welfare protections.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation is expected to generate approximately $3.416 million in additional revenue in fiscal year 2023-24. See Fiscal Note for additional information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, June 7, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

    SB 202 (FONTANA) – Amends the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law to allow cities of the second class and counties of the second class to acquire property at sheriff sales.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    HB 739 (BOYLE) – Amends Title 40 (Insurance) to require licensees to certify compliance with information security risk assessments and to add certain notification requirements.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have a minimal impact on Commonwealth funds, which can be absorbed within existing operating budgets.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of unanimously.

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, June 5, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 24 (DISANTO) – Amends the Fiscal Code to allow the State Treasurer to automatically return unclaimed property to the rightful owner when the value of the property is less than $5,000 regardless of whether a claim has been filed.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 152 (J. WARD) – Repeals the Frozen Dessert Law (Act 215 of 1965).

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth Funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 361 (J. WARD) – Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to increase the number of Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas in five judicial districts.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 429 (REGAN) – Amends the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law (Heart and Lung Act) to add several additional classes of employees to coverage under the act.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation will impact commonwealth, local, and institutional funds. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval voting in the negative.

    SB 497 (ROBINSON) – Establishes the Max Manufacturing Initiative Fund.

    • Fiscal Impact: Implementation of the programs set forth in the legislation is contingent on appropriation by the General Assembly. At this time, no funding has been allocated for this purpose.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 691 (YAW) – Amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act to rename the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Environmental Services.

    • Fiscal Impact: According to DEP, changing the name of the department could result in significant costs to rebrand documents, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, websites, and other items related to the department’s operations. The department does not have room to accommodate significant new costs within its existing resources.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party-line vote of 15 Y – 9 N. 

     

    The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, May 9, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

    SB 262 (SCHWANK) – Amends the Maternal Mortality Review Act to require the Department of Health to publish data on severe maternal morbidity.

    • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not have an adverse impact of commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

    SB 350 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Establishes the Permit Administration Act.

    • Fiscal Impact: The implementation of this legislation will have significant cost to various state agencies that issue permits. According to the Administration, the known costs to major permit issuing agencies would be an estimated $63-67 million in the first impacted fiscal year. More detail and other possible fiscal implications can be found in the Fiscal Note.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote (15 Y – 8N), Senator Hughes was absent.

    SB 453 (PHILLIPS-HILL) – Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) to make technical changes to address recent DUI court cases and improve the ignition interlock process.

    • Fiscal Impact: This legislation should have minimal fiscal impact on commonwealth funds.
    • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 22 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval coming in the negative, Senator Hughes was absent.

    The committee went over SB 633.

    SB 633 (COLEMAN) – Establishes the Regulatory Sandbox Program Act.

    • Fiscal Impact: Costs associated with implementing this act may be offset through permissible fees.

      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, May 8, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

      SB 188 (DISANTO) – Requires the General Assembly and the Governor to approve all regulations with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions and to the private sector that exceeds $1 million

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of Senate Bill 188 may have cost and/or revenue implications for the commonwealth and its political subdivisions. Please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote (15 Y – 9 N).

      SB 190 (BROOKS) – Provides for an automatic three-year review of economically significant regulations

      • Fiscal Impact: According to the Governor’s Budget Office, agencies may incur personnel and administrative costs as a result of being required to research economically significant regulations and issue reports. Fee revenue could also be in jeopardy as regulations relating to fee structures could be deemed economically significant and thus could possibly be amended or rescinded.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote (15 Y – 9 N).

      SB 248 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) to establish the Veteran-Owned Business Loan Guarantee Program within the Commonwealth Financing Authority

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have minimal fiscal impact relating to administration of the new program. Additionally, this legislation transfers $5 million from the Second Stage Loan Program to the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

      SB 411 (PENNYCUICK) – Amends Title 30 (Fish) to streamline and modernize the way fishing licenses are issues for disabled veterans and military personnel in Pennsylvania

      • Fiscal Impact: According to the Fish and Boat Commission, the legislation would have minimal fiscal implications on the Fish Fund by expanding eligibility for reduced cost fishing licenses for members of the PA National Guard and reserve components of the armed forces. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

      SB 460 (BARTOLOTTA) – Amends the Public School Code to establish the Child Reunification Act

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact Commonwealth funds, see the Fiscal Note for further information
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

      SB 647 (GEBHARD) – Amends the Public School Code to provide for a personal financial literacy course

      • Fiscal Impact: The department notes both Commonwealth and local costs associated with this legislation. Local schools will be required to bear the costs of teachers earning add-ons to their certificates for this course and any additional instructors, if necessary. PDE will realize minimal costs to develop the course.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 23 Y – 1 N with Senator Saval voting in the negative.

      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 2, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

      SB 140 (LANGERHOLC) – Establishes the Mass Transit Special Prosecutor Program

      • Fiscal Impact: This legislation may impact Commonwealth and Local Funds, please see the Fiscal Note for further information.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.

      SB 243 (ARGALL) – Amends the Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to check monthly all Medical Assistance and SNAP enrollees against the Department of Health Vital Statistics death certificate filings

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth or federal funds. The department already has state and federally required systems in place to ensure no deceased person continues to receive benefits.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.

      SB 244 (ARGALL) – Amends the Humans Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to check wage records held by the Department of Labor & Industry against Medical Assistance and SNAP enrollees on a quarterly basis

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse impact on commonwealth or federal funds.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.

      SB 245 (ARGALL) – Amends the Human Services Code to require annual reporting regarding program eligibility by the Department of Human Services

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have a minimal fiscal impact to update information technology infrastructure in the Electronic Client Information System.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.

      SB 671 (FARRY) – Amends the Local Tax Enabling Act by adding a new chapter with regard to local taxes in cities of the first class and makes related repeals

      • Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Revenue for the City of Philadelphia the annual revenue loss to Philadelphia would be $191.0 million. It is assumed that the Department of Education and the Department of Community and Economic Development will be able to absorb any associated costs related to the implementation of this legislation using their current operating budgets. Last, the Property Tax Relief Fund would realize a cost savings of approximately $28.3 million per fiscal year due to the repeal of Section 324 of the Taxpayer Relief Act, which requires the Property Tax Relief Fund to reimburse school districts for nonresident wage taxes.
      • Motion to Table: Failed on a party line vote, 15Y – 9N.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 8 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Miller, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.

      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, May 1, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

      SB 165 (TARTAGLIONE) – Amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to prohibit safe injection sites in the Commonwealth

      • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth Funds.
      • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 5 N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Saval and Schwank voting in the negative. Senator Brown was absent. 

      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Monday, April 24, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

      • SB 137 (MASTRIANO) – Amends the Telemarketer Registration Act to require information sharing between the Office of Attorney General and the Department of Aging
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
      • SB 232 (BROOKS) – Amends the Public School Code to establish protocols for removing ticks from a student
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should not adversely impact Commonwealth or local funds.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
      • SB 239 (ARGALL) – Creates the Correctional and Forensic Employees Investigation Procedure Act
        • Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have fiscal implications on DOC and DHS with respect to providing pay and medical benefits for suspended employees in comparison to current practices. See Fiscal Note for details.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 18 Y – 6 N with Senators Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, and Street voting in the negative.
      • SB 447 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to create the PA VETConnect Program
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
      • SB 466 (BROWN) – Amends the Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act to extend environmental liability protections to land banks
          • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.
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      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 8, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

      • SB 126 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to exclude veterans’ compensation benefits from income calculations when applying for Commonwealth programs.
        • Fiscal Impact: This legislation may impact Commonwealth or local funds; see Fiscal Note for further information.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously. 
      • SB 162 (HUTCHINSON) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to enhance the Medical Officer or Health Care Officer Incentive Program.
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have minimal impact on commonwealth/local funds. The department anticipates any costs can be covered within existing resources.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.  
      • SB 211 (YAW) – Amends Title 27 (Environmental Resources), providing for decommissioning of solar energy facilities.
        • Fiscal Impact: According to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the responsibilities outlined for the department in the legislation would require one additional full-time position at a cost of roughly $160,000. A portion of this cost may be incurred in FY 2022-23 depending on when the individual is hired. Per the Local Government Commission, provisions of the legislation could have cost implications for local government entities regarding repealing ordinances and document filing. Please see the fiscal impact section for additional information.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 17 Y – 7N with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, and Street in the negative.  
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      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee.

      • SB 8 (K. WARD) – Amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 by removing a provision requiring patient cost-sharing for breast imaging and adding a new section to require insurance coverage for all costs associated with genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations for individuals at increased risk.
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may impact commonwealth funds under provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act but is not expected to do so. Please see the Fiscal Note for additional information.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of unanimously.
      • SB 144 (YAW) – Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) by prohibiting the use of Class B firefighting foams containing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances for training or testing.
        • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth funds. Minimal revenue may be realized from the fines levied for violations of the act. Please see the Fiscal Note for more information.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a 16-8 vote with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Haywood, Santarsiero, Saval, Schwank, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.
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      The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, February 28, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

      SB 115 (STEFANO) – Amends the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act to make changes to the required scheduled maintenance of diesel powered mining equipment.

        • Fiscal Impact: The legislation would have no fiscal implications on Commonwealth funds.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

      SB 121 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to restrict transfers from the Motor License Fund to the Pennsylvania State Police, to phase out funding.

        • Fiscal Impact: The bill would cap the Motor License Fund appropriations to PSP at $250.0 million in fiscal year 2023-24 and reduce it by $50.0 million each fiscal year through fiscal year 2028-29. Those PSP expenditures would then shift to the General Fund or some other source.
        • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee on a party line vote (15-9).

        The Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

        SB 95 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to authorize the use of vehicles with farm vehicle registration plates for home delivery of agricultural products

          • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation could have a minimal fiscal impact on the Motor License Fund.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

        SB 114 (BROOKS) – Amends The Public School Code to establish the Secondary Education Fire Training Pilot Program, to provide firefighter training to secondary school students through institutions of higher education, and to establish the Fire Training Fund

          • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation may have an impact on Commonwealth funds. See Fiscal Note for further details.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

        SB 141 (MASTRIANO) – Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to expand military decoration eligibility to certain civilians and members of a friendly foreign nation

          • Fiscal Impact: Enactment of this legislation should have no adverse fiscal impact on Commonwealth or local funds.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee unanimously.

        The Senate Appropriations Committee met Tuesday, January 11, 2023, and reported the following bills from committee:

        SB 1 (LAUGHLIN) – A Joint Resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide for a two year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file previously time barred claims, to provide for the disapproval of regulations, and to require qualified electors to provide valid identification at each election.

          • Fiscal Impact: This legislation carries an estimated net cost of $1.3 to $1.5 million in the current fiscal year. See the Fiscal Note for further information.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 15 Y – 8 N (party line vote with Senator Kearney absent). 

        SB 35 (LANGERHOLC) – Amends Title 75 to modify the definition of “average wholesale price,” which is used to determine liquid fuels tax rates for the calendar year

          • Fiscal Impact: The bill would reduce Motor License Fund revenues by an estimated $75.0 million in fiscal year 2022-23 and $112.5 million in fiscal year 2023-24.
          • VOTE: The bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 16 Y – 7 N  with Senators Hughes, Kearney, Miller, Santarsiero, Saval, Street, and Costa voting in the negative.