GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST

Senate: none – returns September 19

House: none – returns September 26

 

A Look Ahead to this Week

Committee Meetings of Interest to Townships

(All meetings are at the Capitol in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted)

 

Tuesday, 8/9:

– The House State Government Committee will hold a public hearing on: HB 153 (Reducing the size of the state House of Representatives), HB 55 (Increasing the length of terms of legislators), HB 56 (Increasing the length of terms of legislators), HB 57 (Increasing the length of terms of legislators), HB 183 (Reducing the size of the General Assembly), HB 876 (Reducing the size of the General Assembly), HB 936 (Reducing the size of the General Assembly)

 

– The House Labor and Industry Committee will hold a joint public hearing with the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on HB 1754 (Unemployment Compensation)

 

Wednesday, 8/10:

– The House Labor and Industry Committee will hold a public hearing on: HB 1367 (Prevailing Wage), HB 1685 (Prevailing Wage)

 

Thursday, 8/11:

– The House Liquor Control Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 11 (Privatizing the state liquor stores) at the Derry Township Municipal Complex, Hershey

 

TOWNSHIP-RELATED BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW RECENTLY

 

– None

 

TOWNSHIP-RELATED BILLS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR:

HB (House Bill), SB (Senate Bill), PN (Printers Number)

 

 

– None at this time

 

RECENT MOVEMENT ON LEGISLATION OF INTEREST:

HB (House Bill), SB (Senate Bill), HR (House Resolution), SR (Senate Resolution), PN (Printers Number)

 

HB 927 (Delozier, R-Cumberland) (PN 996):

The Child Labor Act would repeal the Pennsylvania Child Labor Law and comprehensively rewrite the statutes regulating child labor.  It would confer powers and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Education and imposes penalties. 

Last Action: A public hearing was held in the House Labor and Industry Committee (8/3/11)

 

HB 1294 (Godshall, R-Montgomery) (PN 2050):

Would amend Title 66 (Public Utilities) to grant to the Public Utility Commission the power to allow additional regulatory procedures and mechanisms proposed by a fixed utility or a city natural gas distribution operation to provide for timely recovery of reasonable and prudent costs incurred for facilities to maintain safety or reliability.  A limited list of possible procedures and mechanisms is provided within the legislation.  The PUC would be required to prescribe the specific procedures to be followed in establishing the alternative regulatory procedures and mechanisms authorized within the legislation. 

Last Action: Discussed at an informational meeting of the House Consumer Affairs Committee (8/3/11)

 

HB 1576 (Gibbons, D-Lawrence) (PN 1937):

The Child Labor Act would repeal the Pennsylvania Child Labor Law and comprehensively rewrite the statutes regulating child labor.  It would confer powers and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Education and imposes penalties. 

Last Action: Discussed in a public hearing before the House Labor and Industry Committee (8/3/11)

 

SB 1192 (Vance, R-Cumberland) (PN 1488):

Would amend Title 62 (Procurement) to add a chapter, the Roofing Projects Act, which would detail roofing projects undertaken by local governments.  Definitions and project specifications, including proposals from design professionals and bidding, would be included so as not to permit for favoritism.  Brand name specifications and specification features are also detailed within the bill.  Certain prohibited acts and required disclosures are provided for along with a model certification form for those working on roofing projects.  The legislation would also provide for bid advertisement requirements and enforcement remedies.  The Attorney General and local governments would both possess certain enforcement remedies.   

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the Senate State Government Committee (8/2/11)

 

SB 1197 (Stack, D-Philadelphia) (PN 1490):

Would amend the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to include natural gas responders to the provisions of the act. 

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee (8/2/11)

 

SB 1213 (Solobay, D-Washington) (PN 1494):

Would amend Title 66 (Public Utilities) in rates and ratemaking, to further provide for sliding scale of rates and adjustments by providing for recovery of costs for natural gas distribution company and operation related to distribution system improvement projects which are designed to enhance natural gas distribution reliability and safety.  It would also address n service and facilities, to further provide for the ownership and maintenance of natural gas and artificial gas service lines by stating that when initially connecting the premises of the customer with the main line of the natural gas distribution company, the natural gas distribution company would be required to furnish and install the service line.  After the initial installation, the natural gas distribution company would own and be responsible for operating and maintaining the service line.  For a service line in use on the effective date of this legislation, a natural gas distribution company would be required to assume financial responsibility and the operating and maintenance obligations for all such service lines.  Lastly, upon replacement of any service line by a natural gas distribution company, a natural gas distribution company would be required to own, operate, and maintaining the facilities. 

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (8/2/11)

 

SB 1217 (Solobay, D-Washington) (PN 1503):

The Economic Development and Fiscal Security Act would require the Department of Community and Economic Development to submit an annual unified economic development budget report to the General Assembly no later than three months after the end of the Commonwealth’s fiscal year.  Requirements of the report are provided for within the legislation.  It would further require local government units to annually submit a report to DCED regarding any real property within the local government unit that has received a property tax abatement, reduction, or exemption during the fiscal year.  Requirements of such reports are also detailed.  The legislation would provide requirements and processes for application for economic development subsidies and would require the granting body to submit annual and biennial reports to the department on the status of the economic development project.  Penalties for noncompliance are provided for, as are subsidy limitations and job quality standards for the projects. 

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the Senate Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee (8/3/11)

 

SR 167 (Solobay, D-Washington) (PN 1499):

A Resolution to direct the state Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the fiscal impact of gateway tolling, including fees for entering or exiting the Commonwealth, cost analysis on implementation of toll booths, and reports. 

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee (8/2/11)

 

FUTURE TOWNSHIP-RELATED LEGISLATION:

(Click on the links to read the actual co-sponsorship memos)

 

– Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne) will soon introduce legislation to impose an operational fee on Marcellus Shale wells to provide revenue to address the impacts from natural gas drilling.

 

– Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bucks) will soon introduce legislation to require any entity that has foreclosed on a property to maintain that property and register it with the county.

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