WEEKLY SESSION NOTES
Senate Republican Policy Committee
Sen. Jake Corman, Chairman
Monday, March 31, 2008
House Bill 874 (Hershey) would create the Umbilical Cord
Blood Banking Education and Donation Act. The bill would
require health care providers treating a pregnant woman at the
end of her second trimester to provide standardized, objective
information about cord blood banking so that the patient can
make an informed decision on whether to participate in a public
or private umbilical cord blood banking program. The Department
of Health would be required to make printable publications with
the information outlined in the bill available on its website
for health care providers. Unless it is medically inadvisable,
all health care facilities and providers treating a pregnant
woman during the delivery of a child would be required, if
requested by the woman, to permit her to arrange for an
umbilical cord blood donation. An exception would be provided
for cases in which a health care facility or provider believes
the donation of umbilical cord blood would threaten the health
of the mother or newborn child. In addition, nothing in the
bill would impose an obligation on a health care facility or
provider to permit a donation if it conflicts with bona fide
religious beliefs. If a health care facility or provider
declines to engage in umbilical cord blood donation, that fact
would have to be made known to pregnant patients of the facility
or provider as soon as reasonably feasible. Passed: 47-0.
Senate Resolution 248 (D. White) designates April 7
through 11, 2008 as "Community Banking Week" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 268 (Orie) designates the month of
April 2008 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 269 (Orie) designates the month of
April 2008 as "Alcohol Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 270 (Costa) recognizes March 31
through April 4, 2008 as "Graduate and Professional Student
Appreciation Week" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Executive Session
Rudy N. Battle – State Athletic
Commission. Confirmed: 47-0.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Senate Bill 1103 (Fumo) would authorize the Department
of Transportation to convey lands in the 5th Ward of
Philadelphia at 1001-05 Vine Street to the Philadelphia
Redevelopment Authority for less than fair market value as
determined by an independent appraisal to be used for a
Chinatown Community Center. Costs for the conveyance would be
borne by the grantee. The conveyance would revert to the
Commonwealth if it is not used for a Chinatown Community Center
within five years or the property ceases to be used as the
Chinatown Community Center at any time following the
commencement of such use. The property would also revert to the
Commonwealth if any portion is used as a licensed gaming
facility. These conditions would have to be contained in the
deed of conveyance and would be covenants running with the
land. Passed: 49-0.
Senate Bill 1308 (McIlhinney) would authorize the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to convey 47.986 acres in
Solebury Township, Bucks County to the township for fair market
value as determined by a licensed certified appraiser conforming
to the Uniform Standards for Federal Land Acquisition. All
costs and fees incidental to the conveyance would be borne by
the township and provided for at closing. The land would have
to be used for recreation, conservation or historical purposes
as defined in the Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act
or it would revert to the Commonwealth. All proceeds from the
sale of the property would be deposited in the Fish Fund and
used for the acquisition of lands meeting the standards for
acquisition described in section 18(b) of the Project 70 Land
Acquisition and Borrowing Act. Passed: 49-0.
Senate Bill 1311 (Scarnati) would authorize the release
of Project 70 restrictions on and the sale of 0.74 acres of land
in the City of Warren. The land is owned by the City of Warren
and would be sold to Warren General Hospital for $81,500 which
represents the fair market value of the property as determined
by an appraisal. The proceeds of the sale would be deposited in
a special account established by the City of Warren for
acquisition or development of park land, to include a ball
field, parking lot and access road. Use of the funds from the
special account would have to be approved by the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. Any funds remaining in the
fund after five years would be paid to the Commonwealth to be
deposited into the Project 70 Land Acquisition Sinking Fund.
Passed: 49-0.
Senate Resolution 271 (Robbins) commemorates the
distinguished life and leadership of former Senator, Lieutenant
Governor and Governor Raymond Shafter. Adopted by Voice
Vote.
Senate Resolution 272 (Tartaglione) observes the week of
April 13 through 19, 2008 as "Crime Victims' Rights Week" in
Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 273 (D. White) recognizes the month of
April 2008 as "Financial Education Month" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 274 (Washington) designates the month
of April 2008 as "Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month" and
designates April 10, 2008 as "ASPCA Day" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 275 (C. Williams) recognizes May 12,
2008 as "Pennsylvania Health Care Information Technology
Awareness Day." Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 276 (Fontana) recognizes the week of
April 13 through 19, 2008 as "National Library Week 2008" in
Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 277 (Orie) designates the first day of
April 2008 as "Lupus Alert Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by
Voice Vote.
Executive Session
Nominations to Various Boards and
Commissions. (See
Attached) Confirmed: 49-0.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Senate Bill 1021 (Piccola) would amend the Crimes Code
to remove the current restrictions placed on pool rooms or
billiard rooms that limit hours and prevent minors from being
present in the establishment. Passed: 49-0.
Senate Resolution 206 (Rhoades) requests the Legislative
Budget and Finance Committee to study the improvement and
enhancement of telecommunications coverage in the cell phone
industry. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 265 (Brubaker) designates April 2,
2008 as "Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Day" and congratulates
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau members for their contribution to the
Commonwealth and to the Commonwealth's agricultural industry.
Adopted: 49-0.
Senate Resolution 266 (Robbins) designates April 23,
2008 as "United States Army Reserve Day" in Pennsylvania in
celebration of the 100th birthday of the United
States Army Reserve. The resolution honors the Army Reserve's
commitment, dedication and service to America and wishes it and
our soldiers continued support. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 278 (Greenleaf) recognizes April 21,
2008 as "Youth in Construction Safety Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 279 (Stack) recognizes the month of
April 2008 as "Autism Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 280 (Rafferty) recognizes April 2008
as the "Month of the Young Child" in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 281 (Orie) designates April 22, 2008
as "Equal Pay Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
Senate Resolution 282 (Orie) designates April 6, 2008 as
"Tartan Day" in Pennsylvania. Adopted by Voice Vote.
House Bill 1589 (D. Evans) is the Capital Budget Project
Itemization Act of 2007-2008. The bill itemizes capital
projects totaling $12,911,453,000. Of this amount,
$12,674,141,000 would be funded from debt and $237,312,000 would
be funded from current revenue. The legislation would authorize
$5,120,432,000 for public improvement projects; $166,346,000 for
furniture and equipment; $750,939,000 for transportation
assistance; $6,482,798,000 for redevelopment
assistance; and, $74,526,000 for flood
control. The measure would also authorize capital projects to be
financed from various funds as follows: $28,613,000 for Keystone
Recreation, Park, and Conservation projects; $143,655,000 for
Environmental Stewardship Fund projects; $79,100,000 for Fish and
Boat Fund projects; $24,144,000 for Motor License Fund projects; and
$3,000,000 for Manufacturing Fund projects. The measure would also
authorize $29,600,000 in projects to be financed from current
revenues in the General Fund and $8,300,000 for State Forestry
Bridge Projects to be financed by Oil Company Franchise Tax
revenues. Passed: 47-2.
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