All Legislation

Bill voted on Third Consideration

SB 511 (MASTRIANO) Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to designate July 27 of each year as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public schools and educational institutions to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by those involved in the Korean War. PASSED 50-0.

Bills amended on Third Consideration

SB 95 (PHILLIPS-HILL) Amends the Pharmacy Act to permit EMS providers to voluntarily distribute a dose package of Naloxone to a family member, friend, or another individual who is able to assist a patient who has previously experienced an opioid-related overdose event. Provides that an EMS provider shall not incur any liability for not stocking the dose package or not dispensing the dose package to a family member, friend, or other individual. OVER AS AMENDED.

A00975 (HUGHES) Requires pharmacies and authorized employees to disclose, upon request, the current retail price of a brand-name drug and any equivalent generic drug available at the pharmacy; the consumer’s cost-sharing amount of the brand-name drug and any equivalent generic drug available at the pharmacy, where applicable; information on where to apply for subsidized health coverage through the Commonwealth’s health insurance exchange; and a disclaimer stating the consumer’s health care choices should not be solely based on this information. Requires pharmacies to conspicuously post a notice informing the consumer of their right to request these disclosures. Makes it a summary offense for failure to comply by a pharmacy, pharmacy benefits manager, or health insurer, unless due to technological issues, and subjects convictions to a fine of up to $500. ADOPTED 50-0.

SB 64 (BARTOLOTTA) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) requiring the department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create within 30 days an official veteran-owned business logotype for which eligible veterans may apply to use for a business that is veteran-controlled or owned by at least 51%. Requires DMVA to promulgate guidelines with the criteria to establish veteran-owned status. Makes it a third-degree misdemeanor to fraudulently use the logotype. AMENDED AND RE-REFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.

A00995 (BARTOLOTTA) Directs DMVA to establish a fee for use of the logotype that cannot exceed $250, which must be deposited into the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund. Requires DMVA to use money in the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund to develop the logo and for any administration or implementation costs related to logotype. Changes the effective date from 60 days to September 1, 2026, or immediately, whichever is later. ADOPTED 38-12.

Bill amended on Second Consideration

SB 649 (PENNYCUICK) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) making it a first-degree misdemeanor to commit the offense of digital forgery by generating or creating and distributing a forged digital likeness as genuine with knowing or should reasonably know the visual representation or audio recording is a forged digital likeness. Makes it a third-degree felony if the digital forgery is through involvement in a scheme to defraud, coerce or commit theft of monetary assets or property. Exempts instances of satire, parody, commentary, criticism, or works that relate to a matter of public interest, or which have political or newsworthy value. Does not apply to law enforcement engaged in the performance of official duties. Establishes an affirmative defense if reasonable action was taken to place viewers or listeners on notice that the forged digital likeness was not genuine. AMENDED AND RE-REFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.

A00963 (PENNYCUICK) Specifically exempts constitutionally protected activity. Adds exceptions for providers or developers of technology used in the creation of visual representation or audio recording, and information services, systems or access software providers that provide or enable computer access by multiple users to a computer server. ADOPTED 47-3.

View Full Report »

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 95 (PHILLIPS-HILL) Amends the Pharmacy Act to permit EMS providers to voluntarily distribute a dose package of Naloxone to a family member, friend, or another individual who is able to assist a patient who has previously experienced an opioid-related overdose event. Provides that an EMS provider shall not incur any liability for not stocking the dose package or not dispensing the dose package to a family member, friend, or other individual. Requires pharmacies and authorized employees to disclose, upon request, the current retail price of a brand-name drug and any equivalent generic drug available at the pharmacy; the consumer’s cost-sharing amount of the brand-name drug and any equivalent generic drug available at the pharmacy, where applicable; information on where to apply for subsidized health coverage through the Commonwealth’s health insurance exchange; and a disclaimer stating the consumer’s health care choices should not be solely based on this information. Requires pharmacies to conspicuously post a notice informing the consumer of their right to request these disclosures. Makes it a summary offense for failure to comply by a pharmacy, pharmacy benefits manager, or health insurer, unless due to technological issues, and subjects convictions to a fine of up to $500. PASSED 50-0.

SB 649 (PENNYCUICK) Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) making it a first-degree misdemeanor to commit the offense of digital forgery by generating or creating and distributing a forged digital likeness as genuine with knowing or should reasonably know the visual representation or audio recording is a forged digital likeness. Makes it a third-degree felony if the digital forgery is through involvement in a scheme to defraud, coerce or commit theft of monetary assets or property. Provides exceptions for constitutionally protected activity; law enforcement engaged in the performance of official duties; providers or developers of technology used in the creation of visual representation or audio recording; and information services, systems or access software providers that provide or enable computer access by multiple users to a computer server. Establishes an affirmative defense if reasonable action was taken to place viewers or listeners on notice that the forged digital likeness was not genuine. PASSED 50-0.

SB 109 (LAUGHLIN) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act limiting the Department of Environmental Protection to charging no more than $250 for a license to construct, repair, replace, operate, maintain, or remove at a licensed premise a shore structure that may affect shore erosion, wave action, or inundation. PASSED 50-0.

SB 225 (DUSH) Amends Title 26 (Eminent Domain) requiring an agency that acquires property on which a business is conducted to compensate the owner of the business for the loss of goodwill if the property is acquired through eminent domain. Allows the acquiring agency to rebut the compensation if the agency proves that the loss could have reasonably been prevented if the owner would have taken steps in preserving the goodwill. PASSED 50-0.

SB 333 (KEEFER) Amends the Regulatory Review Act to require a concurrent resolution by the General Assembly to approve economically significant regulations. Allows for extended time for standing committees to review economically significant regulations before final action by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. PASSED 27-23.

SB 444 (BROOKS) Amends the Regulatory Review Act requiring an agency that promulgated an economically significant regulation to report after three years to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) regarding the regulation’s status, impact on the regulated community, and direct and indirect cost to the Commonwealth. Requires IRRC to collect public comment on the regulation for at least 30 days, after which IRRC shall issue a report to the promulgating agency and committees on whether the regulation continues to be in the public interest and whether statutory changes should be considered. PASSED 27-23.

View Full Report »

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 311 (YAW) Amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) by prohibiting municipalities from restricting or banning certain types of energy services or discriminating against utility providers based on the type or source of energy they deliver. PASSED 34-15.

SB 719 (HUTCHINSON) Amends the CPA Law to provide for alternative licensure and license mobility related to the practice of public accounting. Allows the Uniform Certified Public Accountants’ (“CPA”) examination to be taken in parts and in any order and to have unpassed parts retaken as long as all parts of the exam are passed within a rolling 30-month window. Also allows for two qualifying experience requirement timeframes of one and two years, respectively, based on educational requirements, to receive a certificate. Grants automatic mobility practice privileges to an out-of-state individual who meet specified statutory requirements. PASSED 49-0.

SB 748 (FARRY) Amends Act 210 of 1889 (“Board of Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia Act”) to increase the rates river pilots charge for conducting vessels from the capes of the Delaware River to a place on the Delaware River or Bay up to the Delair Railroad Bridge and for every ship and vessel bound for the Delaware breakwater. PASSED 48-1.

Resolution adopted

SR 119 (BROOKS) Urges the United States (U.S.) Congress, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to update federal laws and standards relating to the availability of milk in Pennsylvania schools. ADOPTED 47-2.

Executive Nominations

Pennsylvania Council on Aging, Allison N. Macy CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Council on Aging, Mary Elizabeth O’Connor CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Council on Aging, Joseph J. Volk CONFIRMED 49-0.
State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, Bruce B. Frantz CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, James R. Brewster CONFIRMED 49-0.

View Full Report »