Pittman Asserts New Information Promised by Revenue Secretary will be Reviewed

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HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) offered the following statement following PA Department of Revenue Secretary Pat Browne’s appearance before the Senate:

“While it is unfortunate it took significant urging to get to this day, we appreciate Revenue Secretary Browne appearing before the Senate for questioning regarding his refusal to comply with the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee subpoena.

“We are encouraged by new information brought to light as a result of the proceedings. Upon receipt, we will conduct a thorough review of the additional materials promised by the Revenue Secretary to further explain his rationale and provide the legislature with recommended legislative language, including statutory changes which would be supported by Governor Shapiro, in order to allow a full audit to be completed.”  

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Flessner

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Bill to Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Cases

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HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), this week advanced legislation that would provide additional protection for domestic violence survivors and their companion animals.

House Bill 1210 would give judges explicit authority to award temporary custody of a companion animal as part of a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order.

“For many survivors, pets are a crucial part of their support system,” said Baker. “When a survivor feels forced to relinquish their pet to escape violence, they often lose an important source of emotional support during the recovery process. By protecting these animals, we are helping empower survivors to make decisions that prioritize their well-being and the well-being of their loved ones – human and animal alike.”

Wyoming County District Attorney Joseph Peters expressed his support for the legislation. “My office recognizes and encounters the repercussions of Pennsylvania being one of the few states that doesn’t allow companion animals to be included on PFA Orders,” Peters said. “Abusers often use family pets as leverage in tormenting their victims, threatening to harm or kill the pet if the victim leaves.”

If enacted, Pennsylvania will join 38 states and the District of Columbia in recognizing the importance of including pets in protection order laws. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT: Cara Laudenslager

Meeting to consider HB 71, HB 450, HB 1231, HB 1304, HB 1850, HB 2160, HB 2177, HB 2265, HB 2378, and HB 2426

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Senate Appropriations Committee

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | Off the Floor

Rules Committee Conference Room

Agenda

HB 71 (Kerwin) Provides for a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the State Capitol grounds to honor and remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.
HB 450 (Freeman) Amends the Main Street Act to allow Main Street Program grants to be used for certain administrative costs for up to ten years.
HB 1231 (Sappey) Amends the Administrative Code to add ex officio members to the State Planning Board.
HB 1304 (Solomon) Makes omnibus changes to Title 35 (Health and Safety) to provide for the next generation 911 system.
HB 1850 (Smith-Wade-El) Amends the Second Class Township Code to clarify advertising requirements for annual audits.
HB 2160 (Sappey) Amends the First Class Township Code to provide for filling vacancies when a township’s vacancy board is unable to act or when a majority of the board of commissioners positions are vacant.
HB 2177 (Mullins) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to permit motorcycle safety inspections to be completed in all months of the year. 
HB 2265 (Donahue) Amends Title 8 (Boroughs) to increase the maximum compensation schedules for borough mayors and council members.
HB 2378 (Abney) Amends the State Lottery Law to exclude savings bond principal and interest income from the definition of “income” when determining eligibility for the PACE and PACENET programs.
HB 2426 (Gallagher) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to ban “license plate flipping devices.”

William Penn Lesson

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Senator Mastriano and Rebbie Mastriano

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 3:30 p.m.

State Museum Auditorium

Doug & Rebbie Mastriano, along with several other speakers, will give a lesson on William Penn to a number of home school students.  Last year we had about 70 in attendance. 

Public hearing on Waste to Fuels

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Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.

Room 8E-B, East Wing

Agenda

I. Call to Order

II. Opening comments from Senator Yaw, Senator Comitta

III. Agenda

     Panel 1: Feedstock Sources
     Grant Gulibon, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, PA Farm Bureau

     Michael Jensen, Sr. Counsel/Director of Regulatory Affairs, Waste Management

     Gary Cordier, Senior Vice President of Grain and Oilseed Perdue, AgriBusiness

     Panel 2: Fuels/Developer
     Jason Lawrence, Senior Business Development, Team Lead Fuel Sales,
     Chevron Renewable Energy Group

     John Cook, Sr. Manager, Business Development, UGI Energy Services

     Geoff Moody, Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Policy, American
     Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

     Panel 3: End User
     Owen O’Neil, Executive Director Lehigh & Northampton Transit Authority
     
     Ryan Banker, Director of Sustainability UPS

     Andy McDowell, Petroleum Products Manager Sheetz Inc.

     Dan Lapato, Associate Vice President, State Gov. Affairs American Gas
     Association

IV. Closing remarks

V. Adjourn

Meeting to consider HB 1210

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Senate Judiciary Committee

Monday, October 21, 2024 | Off the Floor 

Rules Room

Agenda

  • House Bill 1210, P.N. 1283 (Sappey) – Amends the Protection from Abuse Act to allow courts to order temporary ownership of a companion animal.

Meeting to consider HB 2426

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Senate Transportation Committee

Monday, October 21, 2024 | Off the Floor

Rules Room

Agenda

H.B. 2426 – Gallagher – Prohibits license plate flipping devices.

Meeting to consider HB 1850

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Local Government Committee

Monday, October 21, 2024 | Off the Floor

Rules Committee Conference Room

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