HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today in reaction to new power plant emission rules imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that will harm energy consumers and reduce grid reliability:

“It is deeply short-sighted that the Biden Administration is pushing yet another disastrous policy that will hurt electricity consumers and make our grid less reliable. We have already received dire warnings from PJM that we could face rolling blackouts just a few years down the road because energy production cannot keep up with future demand. Taking more power plants offline will only accelerate these problems and hurt our energy independence and national security.

“The new emissions rules will cost Pennsylvania thousands of family-sustaining jobs in the energy industry at a time when we are working as hard as we can to fight back against the state’s economic and demographic decline. We join many of our colleagues in encouraging Pennsylvania’s federal lawmakers and Governor Shapiro to do everything in their power to reverse this decision and prevent our grid from being crippled by the Biden Administration’s poor decision-making.”

CONTACT:          
Erica Clayton Wright (Sen. Ward) 
Kate Flessner (Sen. Pittman) 
Jason Thompson (Sen. Martin) 

HARRISBURG – In the wake of the recent $600 million settlement reached by Norfolk Southern in its class-action lawsuit related to its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year, state Sens. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47), and Michele Brooks (R-50) today introduced legislation to provide a state tax deduction for Pennsylvanians who receive payments.

“Ohio has already established a deduction for their residents who received payments and I believe it’s fair to do the same for Pennsylvanians.,” said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, hosted a hearing immediately following the train wreck, and subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw to appear before the committee. “Businesses have been shuttered, property values have plummeted, and personal medical expenses continue to accrue. This tax deduction will help put more money back into the pockets of the victims.”

Mastriano, Vogel and Brooks today introduced Senate Bill 1149 to provide a state income tax deduction for disaster relief payments provided to Pennsylvania residents by a government agency, Norfolk Southern or an insurer as the result of the Feb. 3, 2023, train wreck. The deduction would also be retroactive to any payments received by victims in 2023.

“I am pleased to be partnering with Sen. Mastriano and Sen. Brooks on this legislation,” Vogel said. “There are many residents still having to deal with negative, residual effects from the derailment, which have caused increased financial burdens on these hurting families. Through our proposal of establishing a state tax deduction for Pennsylvania residents who have or will receive future disaster relief payments, we aim to help alleviate some of the financial stress they are experiencing and continue to help these families as we navigate further through the aftermath of this tragic accident.”

The train wreck took place just across the western border of Pennsylvania and was followed two days later on Feb. 5, 2023, by the planned ignition and burning of five railroad cars carrying dangerous chemicals. The toxic plume resulted in residents reporting various medical problems including rashes, burning lips, sore throats, itchy eyes and other skin irritations. Residents reported additional medical concerns at a follow-up hearing held last month by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

“I’m committed to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to provide meaningful help to the hurting residents affected by this train wreck,” Brooks said. “This bill would enable these families to keep more of the money that is intended to help them begin to try to move on from this incident. I believe this tax deduction is the responsible thing to do for these residents.”

Senate Bill 1149 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

Mastriano contact: Josh Herman
717-787-9603

Vogel contact: Abby Chiumento
717-787-3076

Brooks contact: Adam Gingrich
717-787-1322

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) today announced his plans to soon introduce legislation aimed at codifying Pennsylvania case law to establish more certainty for landlords, law enforcement and homeowners who encounter squatters.

“Squatters are a growing problem throughout our nation,” said Laughlin. “Trespassers unlawfully taking over homes is becoming an increasingly prevalent dilemma for property owners and poses a significant threat to the stability and security of our citizens and communities. Unfortunately, there is no standard approach to dealing with squatters across different states.”

For example, in New York, any occupant who has been in possession of a premises for thirty consecutive days or longer is granted tenancy rights. This means that even if a person or persons did not obtain possession legally from the owner, they would be considered tenants. Pursuing formal eviction procedures would be necessary to remove these squatters from the premises.

Under Pennsylvania law, such squatters would be considered trespassers once the landowner warns them they are not welcome and instructs them to vacate the property. Should the squatters remain in any place where they are not licensed or privileged to be, they commit the offense of defiant trespass.

Given the inconsistencies and lack of clarity in how different states address squatter concerns, Pennsylvania must establish clear and uniform guidelines for our state. The legislation to be proposed would clarify the legal status of squatters in Pennsylvania and streamline the process of removing them from residential properties.

“We must protect the rights of property owners while ensuring squatters are dealt with in a fair and timely manner,” Laughlin said.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:           David Kozak   717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – As the nation prepares to commemorate the significance of the Second Amendment on April 17th with 2A Day, Pennsylvania state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) has taken a bold step toward ensuring the rights of all citizens by introducing legislation, Senate Bill 1146, aimed at amending Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act to align with the state’s legalization of medical marijuana.

2A Day was established in 2019 and serves as an annual celebration dedicated to honoring the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. This special occasion acknowledges the importance of the right to bear arms, a fundamental aspect of American freedom.

In 2016, the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act was enacted allowing individuals to legally treat specific medical conditions with marijuana. Since enactment, many laws have been updated to include the lawful use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

However, some Pennsylvania laws, including the state’s Uniform Firearms Act, continue to view all marijuana use as unlawful. Consequently, even a person with a valid medical marijuana card is prohibited by existing law from having a license to carry a firearm.

“My legislation will make sure a valid medical marijuana cardholder is no longer considered an unlawful marijuana user,” said Laughlin. “Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, we should be updating Pennsylvania’s laws to ensure valid medical marijuana cardholders are not denied their rights.”

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:  David Kozak   717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – Today, the state House of Representatives approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) to help protect domestic animals and the food supply against dangerous transmissible diseases. This passage happens as a rise in reported avian flu outbreaks in dairy cattle has been seen in several states across the nation.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the House of Representative for their affirmative vote on Senate Bill 979,” said Culver. “When it is signed into law it will allow the Department of Agriculture to have individuals or businesses who deal in domestic animal, commercial feed, or pet food sales post on their premises departmental notices regarding dangerous transmissible diseases.”

The bill will now be sent to the governor to be signed into law.

Avian influenza has not been detected in Pennsylvanian cattle, but has been found in several western and midwestern states. Due to the rise in reported avian flu outbreaks in dairy cattle, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is requiring any dairy cows coming into Pennsylvania from an outside state to be quarantined and tested for the virus.

The quarantine only affects dairy cattle from any state where avian influenza has been confirmed during the past 30 days. Among other requirements, the dairy cattle may not be imported to, stopped off in or unloaded in Pennsylvania without testing of nasal swabs and milk.

“I commend Secretary Redding and the Department of Agriculture for taking a proactive approach to the potential spread of avian influenza to cattle, which we are starting to see in other states,” said Culver. “A biosecurity plan is a great way to defend livestock from the spread of disease. We have seen how Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – HPAI – decimated many poultry farms across the state during the last few years.”

The PDA currently has the authority to issue quarantines and regulate the keeping of domestic animals to exclude or contain a dangerous transmissible disease. Culver’s bill would grant the department the ability to require any establishment in which domestic animals and feed are offered for public sale to post information about dangerous transmittable diseases.

More information about Culver is available online at SenatorCulver.com. Residents can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SenCulver and on Instagram at https://www.Instagram.com/SenatorCulver/ for updates about legislative action in Harrisburg and news in the 27th District.

CONTACT:  Betsy Reichenbach 717-787-8928

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) to adjust the outdated requirement for a qualified mechanic to perform an oil change every 100 hours on all diesel-powered equipment used by mining companies was signed into law yesterday.

Act 9, formerly Senate Bill 115, amended Pennsylvania’s Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act to more appropriately reflect the needs of equipment presently being used, as opposed to equipment from decades ago.

Mine operators can now request permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Mine Safety to extend the requirement for oil and oil filter changes from 100 to 200 hours.

“The old requirement was established 25 years ago when diesel engines were much less efficient. I’m glad the law now reflects the needs of current equipment so companies aren’t forced to take the time and pay the costs associated with unnecessary oil changes,” said Stefano. “It was a wasteful practice, and I’m hopeful this change leads to more efficient processes for mine operators.”

Watch Stefano’s remarks on the bill here.

CONTACT:    Amanda Cuteri, 717-787-7175

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to introduce felony criminal penalties for falsely reporting threats at school entities and institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today.

Senate Bill 975 would make it a felony of the third degree to knowingly report a false threat at a school or educational facility. In addition, it would allow courts to sentence anyone convicted to pay the costs of an evacuation or response that resulted from the threat.

These costs may include supplies, equipment or materials to respond to the threat, food that went unused because of the evacuation or diversion from standard operations of a school, and salary and wages – including overtime pay – for those who respond to the threat and any teacher, administrator or other educational facility employee who was paid despite the diversion.

“Last year, hoax callers falsely alerted law enforcement agencies of active school shooter situations across the state, including schools in Crawford, Mercer, and Lawrence counties.  These calls triggered a massive emergency response, causing tremendous stress for students their families and teachers, and using up valuable public safety resources,” Brooks said. “If we don’t take action to punish threats made to our schools, they will inevitably result in accidents, injuries and worse. This bill sends a clear message to perpetrators that reporting a false threat to schools and higher education institutions will result in serious criminal and financial consequences.”

Having received bipartisan Senate support, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Adam Gingrich, 717-787-1322