Transportation Funding – On the House Agenda Next Week

A live web stream of House session and the majority of committee meetings is available at PAHouseGOP.com. Important information and events may also be viewed by visiting Facebook.com/PAHouseGOP.

The problem and the solution…?

Maintaining the highways, bridges and roads in our communities is a key factor in ensuring the safety of residents, which is why transportation funding is a priority to legislators. Equally important is ensuring Pennsylvanians are provided accessible, reliable and affordable public transportation.

Pennsylvania currently spends nearly $7 billion on transportation, of which approximately $4 billion is spent on roads and bridges.

Pennsylvania has 31,717 bridges, of which 25,321 are state and 6,396 are local bridges. Of those bridges, 6,536 are considered “structurally deficient,” 4,293 state and 2,243 local. There are 2,528 bridges which are weight restricted and 256 closed bridges.

Members of the House have been working on the transportation funding issue for quite some time, but finding consensus has been and continues to be difficult. As the members debate and discuss transportation funding, they will be mindful the money they are talking about comes from hard-working Pennsylvanians.

House Bill 106 (Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne and Monroe counties) to allow biennial vehicle registration renewals for passenger vehicles and light trucks is scheduled for a vote next week. Transportation funding amendments are attached to this bill as well.

The Weekly Schedule

Identified by bill number, the sponsors and summaries for bills scheduled to be considered in committee or on the House floor are posted below. More information regarding these bills can be found at PAHouseGOP.com by clicking on the “Research Bills” tab.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

HUMAN SERVICES, 11 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

Public hearing on the intellectual disabilities waiting list.

LABOR AND INDUSTRY, 11:30 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

HB 611 (Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Allegheny): Clarifies the worker’s compensation coverage of paid emergency medical services personnel acting as volunteers for another emergency medical service organization.
HB 1807 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York): Provides state preemption for local mandated leave ordinances.

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, Call of Chair, Room B-31, Main Capitol

SB 1131 (Sen. David Argall, R-Berks/Carbon/Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton/Schuylkill): Removes weight restrictions on potato packaging.

Session

On Monday, the House will convene at 1 p.m. for legislative business. The members will vote the uncontested calendar and Rule 35 resolutions.

Votes on Second Consideration

HB 106 (Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe): Establishes an optional, biennial vehicle registration renewal for passenger vehicles, class one and class two trucks.
HB 179 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Requires insurers to pay emergency medical services (EMS) claims directly to an EMS agency for 911 calls.
HB 207 (Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery): Establishes audiovisual material of autopsies as confidential and limits their release.
HB 530 (Rep. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks): Requires all flags procured by, and contracted for, Commonwealth government agencies to be manufactured in the United States, unless the head of the government agency states in writing that to do so would be inconsistent with the public interest or would be cost prohibitive.
HB 1603 (Rep. Jim Christiana, R-Beaver): Amends the Medical Practice Act to specify which health care professionals are authorized to administer anesthesia in hospitals.
HB 1662 (Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Fayette/Westmoreland): Permits the grandchild of a decedent to be reimbursed from the decedent’s bank account assets for funeral expenses paid by the grandchild.
HB 1718 (Rep. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster): Requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to establish an online clearinghouse that features a database of online courses which will be made accessible to public schools, nonpublic schools and home education programs.
SB 34 (Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster/York): Makes changes to the Professional Educator Discipline Act.
SB 763 (Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Fayette/Somerset/Washington/Westmoreland): Removes the required keeping and inspection of rosters of big game hunting parties by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
SB 1042 (Sen. Patricia Vance, R-Cumberland/York): Requires all clinical laboratories operating in the Commonwealth to be permitted by the Department of Health and clarifies that prohibited practices are applicable to both in-state and out-of-state licensed laboratories.

Votes on Third Consideration

HB 408 (Rep. Curtis Thomas, D-Philadelphia): Amends the Assessors Certification Act to remove the exemption for counties of the first class (Philadelphia) from requirements regarding assessor certification.
HB 1053 (Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland): Enhances the capacity of the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners to check the backgrounds of individuals applying for admittance to the Pennsylvania Bar.
HB 1138 (Rep. Matt Gabler, R-Clearfield/Elk): Applies sales and use tax exclusions to the timber and logging industries.
HB 1431 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York): Bridge designation: Cpl. Luke S. Runyan Memorial Bridge.
HB 1596 (Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-Delaware): Road designation: Judge Robert A. Wright Memorial Road.
HB 1599 (Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Delaware/Philadelphia): Bridge designation: Honorable Robert C. Donatucci Memorial Bridge.
HB 1750 (Rep. John Maher, R-Allegheny/Washington): Establishes the offense of slaughtering or selling dogs and cats for human consumption and sets penalties.
SB 802 (Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre/Juniata/Mifflin/Perry/Union): Updates the Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law.
HR 108 (Rep. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe/Pike): Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of the status of character education in Pennsylvania public schools.

Votes on Concurrence

HB 290 (Rep. Michele Brooks, R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer): Revises the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to clarify definitions, permit new games and address other concerns raised by affected organizations.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

CHILDREN AND YOUTH, 9 a.m., Room 39, East Wing

SB 21 (Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland): Clarifies who is a mandatory reporter in Pennsylvania, or persons required to make a report of suspected child abuse.
SB 23 (Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Monroe/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming: Updates the definition of perpetrator and removes certain juvenile perpetrators from the child abuse registry.
SB 30 (Sen. Edwin Erickson, R-Chester/Delaware): Establishes accountability and essential due process protections from false reports of child abuse, approval of indicated reports and for expedited appeals of indicated reports.
SB 1116 (Sen. LeAnna Washington, D-Montgomery/Philadelphia): Clarifies references to a multidisciplinary investigative team for the prevention, investigation and treatment of child abuse and revises investigation of reports provisions.

EDUCATION, 9 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

HB 803 (Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-Butler/Mercer): Permits schools to obtain a prescription from a physician for a supply of epinephrine auto injectors, or “EpiPens,” to be maintained and administered in a secure setting in the school.
HB 1741 (Rep. Fred Keller, R-Synder/Union): Requires school boards to provide two weeks’ notice prior to voting upon any proposed collective bargaining agreement.
SB 193 (Sen. Patricia Vance, R-Cumberland/York): Requires all school nurses to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
SB 437 (Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Berks/Chester/Dauphin/Lancaster/Lebanon): Creates a Pennsylvania military science teaching certificate.

STATE GOVERNMENT, 9 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

Public hearing on reforms to election, administration and oversight, with a focus on:
HB 1142 (Rep. Stan Saylor, R-York): Requires polling places selected by the County Board be free of all political material on the day of a primary or election.
HB 1371 (Rep. James Clay, D-Philadelphia): Makes the circulation and submission of a nominating petition with false signatures a third-degree felony.
HB 1572 (Rep. Eli Evankovich, R-Armstrong/Westmoreland): Eliminates the straight-party ballot option in Pennsylvania.
HB 1827 (Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny/Washington): Permits a registered voter of the Commonwealth to be appointed as a watcher in any election district located in Pennsylvania.
HB 1830 (Rep. David Maloney, R-Berks): Increases the grading of the offense of voter intimidation and interference with the elective franchise to a misdemeanor of the first degree.
HB 1835 Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-Chester/Delaware): Permits a vacant minority inspector position to be filled by a qualified registered elector of the county in which the election district is located.

AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

Public hearing on elder abuse.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9:30 a.m., Room 140, Main Capitol

Public hearing on HB 1620 (Rep. Peter Daley, D-Fayette/Washington): Amends Pennsylvania’s franchise law.

FINANCE, 9:45 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

HB 1489 (Rep. Adam Harris, R-Juniata/Mifflin/Snyder): Amends the State Lottery Law to provide for a Pennsylvania lottery winnings intercept for state delinquent taxes.

JUDICIARY, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

HR 537 (Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland): Encourages support and recognition of ChildFirst PA.
SB 28 (Sen. Patrick Browne, R-Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton): Comprehensive additions and changes to the Crime and Offenses law regarding child protection.
SB 57 (Sen. Richard Alloway, R-Adams/Franklin/York): Permits audio recording on school buses and vehicles.
SB 150 (Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester/Delaware): Amends the Law and Justice Code regarding the collection, analysis and use of DNA samples and storage of DNA profiles in the Pennsylvania State DNA Database.
SB 681 (Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Bucks/Montgomery): Allows a court to issue protection orders to victims of sexual violence.

Session

On Tuesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Second Consideration

HB 942 (Rep. Sandra Major, R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming): Addresses the recording and indexing of blanket lease assignments and mortgage assignments presented to recorders of deeds for filing and provides standards for recording documents.
HB 1144 (Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria): Clarifies the definition of “bow” to include crossbows and removes outdated language providing for a disabled permit to hunt with a crossbow to reflect permanent regulatory changes made by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
HB 1249 (Rep. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe/Pike): Requires regulation of establishments performing body art services, specifically body piercing, tattooing and permanent cosmetics.
HB 1357 (Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon): Addresses impersonation of a law enforcement officer and the sale of emergency vehicles.
HB 1534 (Rep. Michael Peifer, R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne): Creates a coyote control incentive program.

Votes on Third Consideration

HB 106 (Carroll)
HB 179 (O’Neill)
HB 207 (Godshall)
HB 530 (Clymer)
HB 1410 (Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana): Highway designation: Staff Sgt. Glen Stivison Jr. Memorial Highway.
HB 1603 (Christiana)
HB 1662 (Harhai)
HB 1718 (Aument)
SB 34 (Smucker)
SB 763 (Kasunic)
SB 1042 (Vance)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, 9 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

Public hearing on HB 1699 (Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester): Establishes pollution control requirements for demand response generators.

SELECT COMMITTEE FOR SCHOOL SAFETY, 9 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

Presentation and approval of recommendations in final report concerning safety and security in public schools and nonpublic schools and institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania.

AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

Public hearing on elder abuse.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, 10 a.m., Room 39, East Wing

HB 1558 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Allows licensed massage therapists to practice in cosmetology and esthetician salons.
SB 137 (Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia/Dauphin/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/

Snyder): Updates the provisions regulating audiologists and eliminates the licensure requirement for teachers of the hearing impaired.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 10:15 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

HB 1719 (Rep. Mauree Gingrich, R-Lebanon): Incorporates the Borough Code into Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns) and adds substantive and technical changes.
HB 1796 (Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery): Prohibits municipal ordinances from penalizing a resident or landlord for needing police or emergency assistance at their property.
HB 1825 (Rep. Duane Milne, R-Chester): Raises the level of allowable operating reserves for second class townships from the current five percent to 25 percent of the estimated general operating fund revenues.
SB 1046 (Sen. Bob Mensch, R-Bucks/Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton): Raises the level of allowable operating reserves for second class townships from the current five percent to 25 percent of the estimated general operating fund revenues.

Session

On Wednesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Third Consideration

HB 942 (Major)
HB 1144 (Haluska)
HB 1249 (R. Brown)
HB 1357 (Heffley)
HB 1534 (Peifer)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

Public hearing on HB 1608 (Rep. Warren Kampf, R-Chester/Montgomery): Modernizes regulation of telephone companies by the Public Utility Commission and permits the development of free market competition between the companies, cable companies, VoIP carriers and wireless carriers.

LABOR AND INDUSTRY and VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, 9 a.m., Room 140, Main Capitol

Joint public hearing on the implementation of Act 46 of 2011 (Cancer Presumption).

JUDICIARY, 10 a.m., Harrisburg High School Auditorium, 2451 Market Street, Harrisburg

Public hearing on law enforcement’s response to the current heroin epidemic.

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