Contact: Stephen Miskin                                                                                                                                       RepTurzai.com

smiskin@pahousegop.com                                                                                                                                                                

717.705.1852

PAHouseGOP.com

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SAM1963

TO:                  Capitol Correspondents, News Editors, Assignment Editors

FROM:             Stephen Miskin

                        Press Secretary to the Majority Leader

SUBJ:              House Action for the Week of June 6, 2011

DATE:             June 3, 2011

Traffic Safety and Juvenile Justice on House Schedule

The state House returns to session on Monday, June 6, to debate and vote on various issues of importance.

Texting While Driving… A Primary Offense

House Bill 8 (Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks County) – will be voted by the full House next week; it is schedule for a Third Consideration vote on Monday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood calls texting while driving a “menace to society.”

Luzerne County’s “Kids For Cash” Aftermath – Making the Courts Safe for Kids

Last year’s Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice identified a number of problems to be corrected in order to restore public confidence in the state’s juvenile courts system. House Bill 1546 (Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne County) would mandate the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission analyze information and make recommendations to judges and the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts. The agency would also post the information on its website, ensuring the data is shared. House Bill 1567 (Rep. Karen Boback, R-Luzerne County) deals with the public pensions of officials pleading guilty or no contest, or are found guilty in public corruption cases; the pensions would be immediately forfeited.

The Weekly Schedule

Bill numbers will be used to identify the legislation being considered either in committee or on the House floor. The bills, sponsors and summaries are posted below.

Monday, June 6

Committee Meetings/Hearings

• LABOR AND INDUSTRY, Call of Chair, Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • SB 1030 (Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder/Dauphin/Luzerne): Unemployment compensation reform that establishes the requirements under which an employer may be relieved of paying unemployment compensation benefits and sets forth the process and procedure for filing such a request; expands the active work search requirements for compensation eligibility; establishes severance pay setoff; calculates the maximum weekly benefit based on a 36-month period rather than a 12-month period; permits telephone testimony; extends benefits; and establishes a shared work program to allow employers to voluntarily avoid layoffs by reducing the hours worked by employees in a specifically defined department, making the employees in the affected department eligible for unemployment compensation for the reduced hours.

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 10 (Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny): Eliminates the state-mandated monopoly on transit services in Allegheny County, expands the jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission to include regulation of all transportation services in second class counties except those provided by a port authority located within the second class county, and requires port authorities within second class counties to supply an annual report to the Consumer Affairs and Transportation committees of the General Assembly.
• HB 838 (Rep. John Bear, R-Lancaster): Defines “ophthalmic surgery” and clarifies that the practice of optometry shall not include ophthalmic surgery.
• HB 864 (Rep. Rick Geist, R-Blair): Increases the membership of the Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee from 15 to 17 by adding two more public appointees and generalizes the requirements for the public appointees.
• HB 958 (Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks): Allows parents to request a “certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth” from the Department of Health. The certificate is not proof of live birth.
• HB 1021 (Rep. Tim Krieger, R-Westmoreland): Requires agencies to solicit specified professional services through a request for proposal process; requires the disclosure of the method of compensation; limits contingent fee compensation to no more than 20 percent of the settlement or $25 million, whichever is less; and requires contracts for legal services to specify that Commonwealth attorneys retain control over the course and conduct of any legal action.
• HB 1304 (Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny): Alters the appointment of the Pittsburgh Port Authority Board from being strictly under county executive jurisdiction to include appointments from the governor and the majority and minority leaders of the state House of Representatives and the state Senate.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 8 (Rep. Kathy Watson): Establishes the reading, writing, or sending of a text message while driving a motor vehicle as a primary offense, subject to a fine between $50-$100 and one point on the driver’s record.
• HB 463 (Rep. Michele Brooks, R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer): Allows individuals enrolled in PACE and PACENET as of Dec. 31, 2010, to remain eligible for the programs if the maximum income limit is exceeded due solely to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.
• HB 608 (Rep. Michele Brooks): Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to encourage the planting of bioenergy crops on abandoned mine lands and establishes a full-cost bonding program to provide sum-certain guarantees to cover Stage III reclamation liabilities on areas replanted with bioenergy crops.

Tuesday, June 7

Committee Meetings/Hearings

• JUDICIARY, 9 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • HB 338 (Rep. Thomas Killion, R-Chester/Delaware): Establishes the false report of suspected child abuse against a school, private residential rehabilitation facility, a detention facility or employees of such institutions as a misdemeanor of the third degree, creates sub-files pertaining to individuals who file false reports in the statewide central register of child abuse reports, and provides for an expedited hearing/appeals process.

• HB 762 (Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre): Creates the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act whereby individuals involved in child custody disputes may seek, through a petition process, court-ordered anti-child abduction measures to be put into place. The anti-child abduction measures provided in the bill apply to interstate and foreign abductions.

• HB 1618 (Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-York): Establishes that a person who knowingly causes, or attempts to cause, an on-duty law enforcement officer to come into contact with bodily fluids or waste that is known, or should have been known, to come from an individual infected with a communicable disease commits a second-degree felony.
• EDUCATION, 9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • HB 1454 (Rep. Dan Truitt, R-Chester): Requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to include grade level, teacher level, and classroom level in the value-added assessment system data displayed on its website.
  • SB 612 (Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon/Berks/Chester/Dauphin/Lancaster): Amends the Education Code to provide for the economic furlough of professional employees.
• LABOR AND INDUSTRY, 9:30 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol Building
  • HB 1548 (Rep. Thomas Murt, R-Montgomery/Philadelphia): Comprehensive amendment of the Child Labor Law to address: prohibitions on employment or work in certain establishments, including establishments that sell alcohol; restrictions on hours of labor; educational requirements for working minors; the permit applications process with the Department of Labor and Industry, which includes an initial $350 fee and a $200 renewal fee; the establishment of a trust account for the working minor and the transfer of the minor’s earnings into their trust account; and the participation of minors in reality television or documentaries.
• HUMAN SERVICES, 10 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
  • HB 1338 (Rep. Matt Baker, R-Tioga/Bradford): Amends the Public School Code to allow a school employee who is not a licensed health care provider to assist a diabetic student with monitoring blood glucose and administering treatment.
  • SB 260 (Sen. Edwin Erikson, R-Chester/Delaware): Amends the Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act to remove the requirement that a health care provider must offer pretest counseling on HIV transmission, prevention and exposure before the patient is tested for HIV. Also removes a requirement of written consent for testing.
• TRANSPORTATION, 10 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • SB 242(Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Fayette/Somerset/Washington/Westmoreland): Bridge designation: Trooper Stephen R. Gyurke Memorial Bridge.
  • SB 369 (Sen. Don White, R-Indiana/Armstrong/Butler/Clearfield/Westmoreland): Road designation: Bilger’s Rock Road and the Greenville Pike.
  • SB 508 (Sen. Robert Robbins, R-Crawford/Mercer/Butler/Lawrence): Road designation: Mercer County Veterans Highway.
  • SB 728 (Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Bedford/Blair/Fulton/Huntingdon/Mifflin): Bridge designation: Cpl. Harry Raymond Harr Memorial Bridge.
  • SB 745 (Sen. Joseph Scarnati, R-Cameron/Elk/Jefferson/McKean/Potter/Tioga/Clearfield/Warren): Amends the Rail Freight Preservation and Improvement Act (Act 119 of 1984) to allow a railroad company receiving a grant under the act to perform the work at its cost with its own company forces without putting the project out for contract. The bill adds “wholly owned” affiliate company of the railroad company receiving the grant to perform the work for which the grant was received without putting out a bid.

Session

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

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 139 (Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery): Amends the Public School Code to provide for state reimbursement for mobile classroom facilities.
• HB 1441 (Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester): Amends Title 45 (Legal Notice) to permit the Local Government Commission to electronically publish the local government codes.
• HB 1446 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the First Class Township Code providing for employment agreements with township managers.
• HB 1447 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the Second Class Township Code providing for employment agreements with township managers.
• HB 1448 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the laws pertaining to incorporated towns by providing for employment agreements with town managers.
• HB 1449 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the Borough Code providing for employment agreements with borough managers.
• HB 1450 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the Third Class City Code providing for the office of city administrator and providing for employment agreements.
• HB 1451 (Rep. Chris Ross): Amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law providing for costs related to the maintenance of properties.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 10 (Rep. Mike Turzai)
• HB 864 (Rep. Rick Geist)
• HB 958 (Rep. Kathy Watson)
• HB 1021 (Rep. Tim Kreiger)
• HB 1304 (Rep. Harry Readshaw)

Wednesday, June 8

Committee Meetings/Hearings

• CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol Building
  • HB 1294 (Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery): Allows utilities that provide water and wastewater services to charge consolidated rates and grants the Public Utility Commission the authority to approve, but not require, ratemaking procedures that would accelerate the recovery of capital investments related to infrastructure repair/replacement as proposed by a fixed utility or city natural gas distribution operation.
• TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, 9:15 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
  • HB 870 (Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming): Adds recreational noncommercial aircraft and ultralight operations on private airstrips as uses covered under the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act.
  • HB 1478 (Rep. Curtis Sonney, R-Erie): Increases the maximum hotel room tax in Erie County from 5 percent to 7 percent.
  • HB 1588 (Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams/Franklin): Increases the maximum hotel room tax for Adams County from 3 percent to 5 percent and provides for the distribution of revenue.
• AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • Informational meeting on the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
• ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, 10 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol Building
  • HB 1088 (Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna): Amends the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act (P.L.1376, No.178) to change the name of the act and create the Keystone Fuels Program and Fund.
  • HB 1089 (Rep. Scott Perry, R-Cumberland/York): Amends the Air Pollution Control Act (1959 P.L. 2119, No. 787) to exempt vehicles using natural gas from certain standards.
  • HB 1290 (Rep. Bud George, D-Clearfield): Provides for the testing of new, environmentally beneficial and energy efficient technologies within various state agencies.
• STATE GOVERNMENT, 10 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
  • Public hearing on the Department of General Services proposed 2011 Real Property Disposition Plan.
• COMMERCE, 10:30 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
  • HB 683 (Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester): Amends Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) to include email as an acceptable manner for nonprofit corporations to provide any required notice.
  • HB 970 (Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer): Creates the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. Provides for the validity of electronic documents; grants powers and duties to county recorders of deeds regarding electronic documents; establishes the Electronic Recording Commission; and requires the commission to adopt administrative regulations for implementation.

Session

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

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 1164 (Rep. Robert Godshall): Amends the Organ and Bone Marrow Donor Act (Act 65 of 2006) to remove the sunset clause associated with the tax credit portion of the act.
• HB 1173 (Rep. Thomas Killion): Allows for advertising on the exterior of metropolitan transportation authorities’ passenger rail cars as a means to generate additional revenue for the authorities.
• HB 1326 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York): Removes exemptions from the referendum requirement for Act 1 school property tax increases and ties future increases to the rate of inflation (in the absence of a voter referendum).
• HB 1436 (Rep. Mike Turzai): Amends the Crimes Code provision relating to official oppression to increase the grading to a third-degree felony (currently a second-degree misdemeanor); change the mental state from “knowingly “ to “recklessly or knowingly”; adds a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment; and adds a special restitution provision.
• HB 1546 (Rep. Tarah Toohil): Amends the Judicial Code to further provide for powers and duties of the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission.
• HB 1567 (Rep. Karen Boback): Amends the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act to provide for forfeiture upon the employee/official’s entry of a guilty plea or upon entry of a jury verdict or judicial order of guilty. Currently, forfeiture is not triggered until the public official or employee is sentenced.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 139 (Rep. Robert Godshall)
• HB 934 (Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler)
• HB 1441 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1446 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1447 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1448 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1449 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1450 (Rep. Chris Ross)
• HB 1451 (Rep. Chris Ross)

#  #  #