Rafferty’s Transportation Funding Bill Approved by Senate Panel 5/7/13 The Senate Transportation Committee today overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 1. Listen |  Agenda

Bill Expanding Job Opportunities for Veterans Clears Committee 5/7/13
The Senate Transportation Committee today (May 7) passed legislation introduced by Senator Elder Vogel that will expand job opportunities for Pennsylvania’s service members and veterans.

Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee 5/7/13 Storm response

Senate State Government Committee to Explore Open Records Law Improvements 5/6/13
The Senate State Government Committee will examine potential improvements to the state's Open Records Law during a public hearing on May 13, according to Committee Chairman Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-13).

Senate News Brief - A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.

Senate Economy, Business and Jobs Caucus Focus on Rail in Pennsylvania’s Economy 5/6/13
The next meeting of the Economy, Business and Jobs (EBJ) Caucus, co-chaired by Senator Bob Mensch (R-24) and Senator Lisa Boscola (D-18), will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at 9:30 am in hearing room 8E-A.  The topic of this meeting will be the role railroads play in Pennsylvania’s economy.

Brubaker Announces Plans to Unveil "Responsible Reporting" Bill Addressing Animal, Farm Safety 5/1/13
Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) has announced plans to unveil legislation that would create a "responsible reporting process" to prevent the misuse of unauthorized video and photos taken of farm operations by requiring any undercover tapings to be shared exclusively with law enforcement.
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Senate Approves Greater Flexibility in Makeup of County Row Offices 5/1/13
The Senate passed legislation today sponsored by Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) that would give counties greater control over the makeup and responsibilities of local row offices.

Senate Approves Senator Pileggi's Bill to Require Prompt Notification of Personal Data Breaches 5/1/13
State and local government agencies will be required to notify the public of data breaches involving personal information within seven days under legislation authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and unanimously approved by the Senate today.
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Natural Gas Consumer Access Bills Pass Senate Committee 5/1/13
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), today approved two bills designed to make natural gas service available to more Pennsylvanians.

Vance Bill to End Unemployment Triple Dipping Benefits Passes Senate 5/1/13 The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) that would prevent retirees from receiving unemployment compensation payments for leaving a temporary job in order to remain eligible for pension, retirement or annuity benefits. Listen

Corman Mentored Hunting Bill Passes General Assembly 4/30/13
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) to authorize the Pennsylvania Game Commission to expand its successful Mentored Youth Hunting Program to all ages, passed the General Assembly unanimously.

Senate Bill 638 Reduces Burden for Agriculture  4/30/13
The Senate today unanimously passed legislation introduced by Senator Elder Vogel that will provide a tax break for Pennsylvania farmers.

Baker Bill Makes Financial Disclosure Statements Easily Accessible Online, Requires Filing By Political Party Officers 4/30/13
Pennsylvania has long required state and local elected and appointed officials, employees, nominees, and candidates to annually file financial disclosure statements with the state Ethics Commission, documenting income, certain investments and debts, and gifts and hospitality received.  But citizens, good government groups, and media looking to review the statements have rarely found access to be easy or convenient.
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Senate Judiciary Committee 4/30/13 Consideration of bills & presentation by Restitution in PA Task Force

Senate Law & Justice Committee 4/30/13 Governor's plan on liquor privatization

Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee 4/30/13 Consideration of bills

Capitol Hunger Garden Marks Fourth Growing Season 4/30/13
The Chairmen of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, hunger advocates, community volunteers and members of the Legislature joined together today for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the fourth season of the Capitol Hunger Garden and to continue their mission toward raising hunger awareness and addressing food insecurity.
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Senate Passes Greenleaf's Lyme Disease Prevention Bill 4/29/13
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed SB 177, State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf's (R-Bucks, Montgomery) legislation to create a task force within the Department of Health to provide greater public awareness and education about Lyme disease.

Senate News Brief - A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.