Tuesday, June 25, 2019

HB 65, PN 2240 (Sankey) – This bill makes several highway and bridge designations. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

HB 265, PN 2177 (Staats) – This bill would further provide for vocational, technical and agricultural educational programming and supports. Senator Langerholc offered amendment A02514 which provides that community colleges need not report to PDE the total number of credits from each institution that transferred to the community college for each academic year and adds a provision in the bill deeming the use of ‘area vocational-technical school” in any statute or regulation as a reference to ‘area career and technical school’ and provides for an immediate effective date. It also makes technical changes from “vocational-technical” and “vocational” school to ‘career and technical” school. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote and the bill went over in its order as amended.

SB 300, PN 1011 (Scarnati) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to permit independents to vote in primary elections. Senator Muth offered amendment A02198 which amends the definition of “unenrolled elector” to open primary elections to all registered voters who are not enrolled in the Democratic or Republican parties. The bill currently excludes voters who select “Green,” “Libertarian” or “other” on their voter registration applications. The amendment failed by a vote of 22-28. A vote on the bill of 42-8 was recorded.

SB 418, PN 1014 (Stefano) – This bill would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to revise the number of ballots each county is required to supply for primary and general elections. Senator Muth offered amendment A02481 which would increase the number of ballots to be printed at municipal and general elections from 10% to 25% greater than the highest number of ballots cast in the election district in the prior three elections. The amendment failed by a vote of 22-28.  A vote of 31-19 on the bill was recorded.

SB 421, PN 1015 (Boscola) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to remove the straight party voting option from all general election ballots. A vote of 30-20 was recorded.

SB 422, PN 399 (Vogel) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to establish the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board within the Department of State. The Board is tasked with studying election related issues and making recommendations. A vote of 28-22 was recorded.

SB 456, PN 1056 (Bartolotta) – This bill would allow for the expansion of multibranch training schools beyond the county of the main school. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

HB 547, PN 886 (Emrick) – Allows First Class Townships to set annual tax rates by resolution if they are not raised. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

HB 548, PN 887 (Emrick) – Allows Boroughs and Third Class Cities to set annual tax rates by resolution if they are not raised. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

SB 607, PN 675 (Scavello) – The bill amends the Vehicle Code, to allow for the use of radar by local police departments. A vote of 49-1 was recorded.

SB 746, PN 923 (Vogel) – This legislation amends Title 75(Vehicles) in inspection of vehicles, providing for date for emissions testing equipment. A vote of 33-17 was recorded.

HB 786, PN 2187 (Cutler) – This bill would further provide for trauma center criteria and funding formulas in Pennsylvania. Senator Boscola offered amendment A02240 which allows a trauma center accredited before the effective date of this legislation to relocate within 10 miles of its original location. The current bill only allows them to relocate within 5 miles. The amendment was approved by a vote of 43-7 and the bill went over in its order.

SB 147, PN 195 (Laughlin) – The bill amends Title 34 (game), allowing for hunting on Sundays and increases the penalties for trespassing while hunting. Senator Laughlin offered amendment A02534 which would provide for specific exceptions to the Sunday hunting prohibitions to be instituted by the gaming commission. The amendment was approved by a vote of 37-13 and the bill went over in its order.

SB 742, PN 1060 (K. Ward) – An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, to exempt certain model years from vehicle emissions inspections. A vote of 26-24 was recorded.

SB 743, PN 1061 (K. Ward) – An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, to begin biennial vehicle emissions inspections (every two years). A vote of 27-23 was recorded.

SB 744, PN 1062 (Langerholc) – Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to remove seven (7) counties from the state emission inspection program. A vote of 27-23 was recorded.

SB 745, PN PN 1063 (Stefano) – An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program. A vote of 27-23 was recorded.

SB 778, PN 925 (K. Ward) – Amends amending Titles 74 (Transportation) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in sustainable mobility options, further providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund; and, in Pennsylvania Turnpike, further providing for definitions. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

The Senate confirmed the following executive nominations by a vote of 50-0:

Pedro A. Rivera, Secretary of Education (reappointment)

Michael J. Davis, Professional Standards and Practices Commission (new appointment)

Nicole R. Hill, Professional Standards and Practices Commission (new appointment)

Robert M. Hollister, Professional Standards and Practices Commission (new appointment