LEGISLATION INTRODUCED 2007-2008
Senate Bill 28 -- (01/07) -- Legislation creating a State Department of Veterans Affairs. The creation of this Department would allow the current Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to focus solely on the important duties of supervising a complement of Pennsylvania National Guard deployed around the globe and maintaining the commonwealth's post 9-11 security.
Pennsylvania maintains one of the highest numbers of resident veterans in the nation. A State Department of Veterans Affairs would more efficiently administer the numerous programs that are now in place. The legislation would maintain the status of all current veteran's programs and would place each under the administration of one of the three bureaus that will be created within the Department. The overall goal of this legislation is to most effectively and efficiently serve the growing number of veterans residing in the commonwealth.
Senate Bill 190 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Second Class County Assessment Law (P.L. 626, Act 294 of 1939) prohibiting assessment appeal fees in Second Class Counties.
Senate Bill 191 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Third Class County Assessment Board Law (P.L. 1379, No 348 of 1931) prohibiting assessment appeal fees in Third Class Counties.
Senate Bill 192 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law (P.L. 571, Act 254 of 1943) to increase the exemption threshold on per capita taxes from the current $5,000 limit to a $12,500 limit for individuals age 65 years or older.
Senate Bill 193 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Health Care Facilities Act (P.L. 130, Act 48 of 1979) to provide for annual reports by the Department of Health to the General Assembly.
Senate Bill 194 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Health Care Facilities Act (P.L. 130, Act 48 of 1979) to require the Department of Health to establish a toll-free telephone number to receive complaints regarding licensed health care facilities and licensed facilities to post certain telephone numbers.
Senate Bill 195 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Health Care Facilities Act (P.L. 130, Act 48 of 1979) providing for quality assurance inspections for licensed health care facilities.
Senate Bill 196 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Health Care Facilities Act (P.L. 130, Act 48 of 1979) to require the Department of Health to publish annual health care facilities inspection reports.
Senate Bill 197 -- (01/07) -- Legislation providing for nursing home performance information; and require nursing homes to maintain inspection reports and to distribute reports to patients or designees.
Senate Bill 198 -- (01/07) -- Legislation requiring school districts to install Internet filtering devices for any computer with access to the Internet. The filtering device will block sites containing material used for violence such as making a bomb. The legislation also instructs blockage of sites containing pornographic material. The bill would also allow the school board to block access to sites they deem inappropriate. The bill allocates $9.5 million for start-up costs to school districts. In subsequent years, .15% of the sales tax generated from computer sales will be allocated to school districts to administer the program.
Senate Bill 199 -- (01/07) -- Legislation prohibiting the use of laser pointers. The bill would provide a summary offense if a pointer is used on an individual. It also provides for a third degree misdemeanor if the pointer is used on an individual while the individual is operating a motor vehicle.
Senate Bill 200 -- (01/07) -- Creates a nonviolent juvenile boot camp system. This legislation would enhance the current program because it sets criteria for the camps to follow. In addition, it establishes probation supervision, requires reports on the progress of the system to the General Assembly and allows for placement of these camps.
The legislation requires the Secretary of Public Welfare and Commissioner of Corrections to work together to place new juvenile camps near existing adult camps. This will enable inmates from both camps to use the same facilities thus cutting costs of building and maintaining these camps. The populations of both camps will still be separated but the camps may still share some common facilities.
Senate Bill 201 -- (01/07) -- Companion legislation to the boot camp proposal allowing judges to sentence juveniles to the new system.
Senate Bill 233 -- (01/07) -- Legislation authorizing the Department of General Services to grant and convey a 108.122 acre tract of land in Somerset Township to the County of Somerset. Enacted - Act 25 of 2007
Senate Bill 234 -- (01/07) -- Legislation providing for any lapses generated through the uncompensated care portion of the tobacco settlement fund to revert into the health investment insurance program (adultBasic) for the following fiscal year.
Senate Bill 235 -- (01/07) -- Legislation broadening the scope of simple assault to include an individual who "intentionally or recklessly propels an object at a moving automobile which results in bodily injury or temporary bodily impairment." The charge would be a first degree misdemeanor. This bill is in response to a rash of rock throwing incidents along Interstate 70 in my district.
Senate Bill 236 -- (01/07) -- Legislation requiring the termination of correctional facility employees who deliver controlled substances to inmates in a correctional facility.
Senate Bill 237 -- (01/07) -- Legislation authorizing the seizure of leased property when the owner has knowledge, actual or imputed, of the property's use for drugs. For example, if a house is rented and is a "crack house", the owner may lose the house to the commonwealth if the commonwealth can prove the owner had knowledge of the property's use as a "crack house". The bill would also dedicate monies collected from drug seizures to be given to a bona fide community action group who is dedicated to the community.
Senate Bill 238 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (P.L. 233, Act 64 of 1972) to include Oxycontin to the list of Schedule I narcotics. However, the legislation does provide an exemption for medicinal purposes.
Senate Bill 239 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending Title 75 of PaCS (Vehicles) to provide for suspension (for first offense) or revocation (for second and subsequent offenses) of Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) if the holder commits theft with the use of the CDL.
Senate Bill 240 -- (01/07) -- Legislation requiring the Department of Corrections to randomly test at least 10% of the state correctional facility personnel, bimonthly, to detect the presence of controlled substances or designer drugs as defined under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (P.L. 233, Act 64 of 1972).
Senate Bill 241 -- (01/07) -- Legislation amending Title 18 of PaCS (Crimes and Offenses) to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for arson-related offenses. The legislation would mandate a minimum sentence of five years for an individual convicted of an arson involving a death. Additionally, the legislation would provide a two-year mandatory sentence for an individual convicted of arson destroying property.
Senate Bill 402 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the Tax Reform Code of 1971 (P.L. 6, Act 2 of 1971) to provide for a job retention tax credit. To be eligible, a business must be located within a county with a higher unemployment rate than the state average; in operation for at least two years, but not more than seven; and have at least five full time employees. The business is only eligible for the tax credit if it has no layoffs.
Senate Bill 403 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the Tax Reform Code of 1971 (P.L. 6, Act 2 of 1971) to establish a graduated payment scale for the corporate net income tax for new and existing businesses which create at least 50 new jobs and holds those jobs for at least five consecutive years.
Senate Bill 491 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the General County Assessment Law (P.L. 853, Act 155 of 1933) to increase the exemption threshold on per capita taxes from the current $5,000 limit to an $12,500 limit for individuals age 65 years or older.
Senate Bill 492 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law (P.L. 571, Act 254 of 1943) to increase the exemption threshold on per capita taxes from the current $5,000 limit to a $12,500 limit for individuals age 65 years or older.
Senate Bill 493 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the Local Tax Enabling Act (P.L. 1257, Act 511 of 1965) to increase the exemption threshold on per capita taxes from the current $5,000 limit to an $12,500 limit for individuals age 65 years or older.
Senate Bill 494 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending Title 54 of PaCS (Names) to reinstate the advertising requirement one must fulfill in order to get their name changed. This legislation was developed at the request of a Fayette County Common Pleas judge. He felt the advertising requirement was reasonable and gave individuals an opportunity to come forward with objections, particularly in the case of creditors.
Senate Bill 495 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending Title 75 of PaCS (Vehicle Code) to require PENNDOT to distinguish that an individual suffers from a communication disability on his/her operator's license.
Senate Bill 496 -- (02/07) -- Legislation amending the Automobile Lemon Law (P.L. 150, Act 28 of 1954) to include protection in the purchase of emergency service vehicles.
Senate Bill 556 -- (03/07) -- Legislation providing for an automatic cost of living increase (COLA) to retired members of PSERS and SERS. This would include all retired state employees as well as retired school teachers. The COLA would be reflective of increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and would be effective on July 1 of every year, starting in 2005.
Senate Bill 557 -- (03/07) -- Legislation providing for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for individuals receiving workers' compensation benefits. The COLA will reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Senate Bill 558 -- (03/07) -- Legislation applying federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards to public employers and employees in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the legislation will establish improved health and safety programs; establish rights and responsibilities for both employers and employees; encourage innovative methods of addressing occupational safety and health problems; and create a tracking system to monitor job-related injuries and illnesses.
Senate Bill 559 -- (03/07) -- Legislation amending the Enforcement Officer Disability Law-Heart and Lung (P.L. 477, Act 193 of 1935) to extend benefits to county correctional officers. This legislation would provide for the salary, medical and hospital benefits for county correctional officers who are injured or contract certain diseases within the performance of their employment duties.
Senate Bill 560 -- (03/07) -- Legislation creating an Office of Consumer Advocate under the Attorney General for Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) concerns.
Senate Bill 561 -- (03/07) -- Legislation amending the Tax Reform Code of 1971 (P.L. 6, Act 2 of 1971) to exclude money in a joint bank account from paying inheritance tax if all of the money is derived from one source and that source is the survivor.
Senate Bill 562 -- (03/07) -- Legislation amending the Fireworks Law (P.L. 134, No. 65 of 1939) to further regulate the use of pyrotechnics indoors. Specifically, it would prohibit the granting of permits by municipalities for fireworks displays in buildings or structures that are 1,000 square feet or less. This legislation is similar to the new law enacted in Rhode Island as a result of the tragedy in a nightclub when the pyrotechnics display turned sour, resulting in human death.
Senate Bill 756 -- (04/07) -- Legislation creating restrictions on the purchase of products (7.5 grams per month) containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, ingredients used in the production of the illegal drug methamphetamine. This bill complies with legislation recently passed by the U.S. Senate.
Senate Bill 757 -- (04/07) -- Legislation creating the Disaster Relief Act providing for grants to persons for property damaged or destroyed by disasters; establishing the basis for the grants; and making an appropriation.
Senate Bill 758 -- (04/07) -- Legislation amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and Title 23 (Domestic Relations) providing a fee waiver for prospective parents who are looking to adopt children who are disabled, five years of age or older, a member of a minority group, or have a genetic condition that would likely lead to a disease or disability.
Senate Bill 759 -- (04/07) -- Legislation amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) providing for a fee waiver for the $10 criminal background check for individuals who are considering becoming a volunteer firefighter.
Senate Bill 760 -- (04/07) -- Legislation designating the section of State Route 219 in Somerset County "Flight 93 Memorial Highway". Enacted - Act 6 of 2007
Senate Bill 783 -- (04/07) -- Legislation authorizing the Department of General Services to grant and convey a 0.26+- acre tract of land (National Guard Armory) in Connellsville to the City of Connellsville.
Senate Bill 823 -- (04/07) -- Legislation amending the Title 51 (Military Affairs) to allow access to state armory fitness facilities for active duty and retired members of the Armed Forces of the United States. The legislation would require the State Armory Board to issue rules and regulations for allowing active duty and retired members of the Armed Forces of the United States access only to the fitness facilities within the Armories.
Senate Bill 824 -- (04/07) -- Legislation increasing the penalty for individuals convicted of retail theft of motor fuel. With the increased price of fuel, theft has become a more common occurrence. Currently, an individual convicted of theft of motor fuel does not lose his/her motor vehicle operating privileges until the third offense. New legislation would suspend the operating privileges for 30 days after the first offense, 60 days after the second offense, and one year following a third offense.
Senate Bill 825 -- (04/07) -- Legislation amending the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (P.L. 1860, No. 586) to provide immunity for landowners, who allow no-fee recreational use of their property, from liability for injury or damage that arises from the actions of a person who is utilizing the property. The jury verdict in the case of Burns v. Haas determined that a landowner could be held negligent for the actions of an individual permitted to hunt on the property. This verdict poses a great threat to the future of hunting and fishing throughout Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the land is privately owned and access to it is in jeopardy. Many landowners are fearful of the liability they must now assume and are choosing to post their property. This legislation will strengthen the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act to protect landowners who provide free access to their land. Furthermore, it will place full responsibility on the recreational user for any negligent actions.
Senate Bill 878 -- (05/07) -- Legislation amending the Liquor Code (P.L. 90, Act 21 of 1951) to address an issue with Act 15 of 2006 which amended the Liquor Code to exempt hotel licenses granted prior to September 1, 1949 from maintaining sleeping accommodations. Some hotel licensees are being denied their request to exempt from the room requirement because the license was allowed to lapse at some point from its original issue. This legislation would provide an exemption from the room requirement for any hotel license that was originally granted prior to September 1, 1949 and that allowed the license to lapse not more than once.
Senate Bill 879 -- (05/07) -- Legislation amending the Title 34 of PaCS (Game Code) to provide for gift vouchers for the purchase of hunting licenses. Individuals must still meet all of the qualifications of holding the license. Licenses to be offered under this program are: adult resident, junior resident, senior resident, senior resident combination, junior resident combination, adult non-resident, junior non-resident, and junior non-resident combination.
Senate Bill 880 -- (05/07) -- Legislation amending the Title 30 of PaCS (Fish Code) to provide for gift vouchers for the purchase of fishing licenses. Individuals must still meet all of the qualifications of holding the license. Licenses to be offered under this program are: resident fishing, and non-resident and tourist fishing. Enacted - Act 26 of 2008
Senate Bill 881 -- (05/07) -- Legislation providing a free hunting license for first-time junior hunters (ages 12-16). This legislation would apply to resident junior hunters who have never purchased a hunting license. Only the general license would be free and eligible candidates must meet all other provisions of the law (such as taking the mandatory hunters' safety course).
Senate Bill 949 -- (01/08) -- Legislation making major revisions to the Bitumnous Coal Mine Act by incorporating recommendations made by the Governor's Commission on Abandoned Mine Voids & Mine Safety, the joint DEP/MSHA investigation team, and the Quecreek Grand Jury. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Coal Association, the United Mine Workers of America, and the Department of Environmental Protection provided detailed input on language. This legislation contains numerous resolutions to issues that have been debated within the coal mining industry for decades. Enacted - Act 55 of 2008
Senate Resolution 43 -- (02/07) -- A Resolution urging the Governor to reestablish the Pennsylvania Energy Office.
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