All Legislation

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 478 (FARRY) Creates the Employee Ownership Assistance Program Act by establishing the Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to serve as an advocate for improving government knowledge and support for profit-sharing and ownership stakes; increase awareness of how department programs affect companies with profit-sharing and ownership stake programs; and promote legislative or regulatory changes necessary to ensure that government policies encourage the adoption of existing and emerging profit-sharing programs. Establishes a program through which funding will be distributed to local administrative agencies for the purpose of providing low-interest loans to employee-ownership groups for technical assistance to develop or improve an employee-owned enterprise. Establishes a program through which funding will be distributed to local administrative agencies for the purpose of providing low-interest loans to employee-owned enterprises reorganizing industrial facilities, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural enterprises. Requires the Governor to appoint an employee ownership advocate who is qualified to represent the interest of employee-owned enterprises and will oversee the Office and the technical and financial assistance programs. Establishes the Employee Ownership Advisory Board to raise awareness for employee-owned
enterprises; research methods to encourage development and expansion of employee-owned enterprises; make recommendations to DCED and the General Assembly on policies related to employee-owned enterprises; develop proposed best practices for employee-owned enterprises; and develop educational materials and outreach opportunities for the maintenance and development of employee-owned enterprises. PASSED 48-1.

SB 980 (YAW) Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to prohibit manufacturers from manufacturing or knowingly selling, offering for sale, or distributing for sale or use class B firefighting foam containing an intentionally added PFAS chemical that is not required under federal law. Prohibits the use of such foam, except for use by airports; chemical plants; oil refineries; flammable liquid, combustible liquid or natural gas terminals; or storage facilities, distribution facilities or electric generating facilities using natural gas. Establishes labeling, notification, and posting requirements on manufactures of personal protective equipment. Expands the use of Fire Company Grant Program funding to the disposal, transportation,
storage, and destruction of any unexpended stock of class B firefighting foam containing an intentionally added PFAS chemical, as well as the purchase or acquisition of class B firefighting foam that does not contain an intentionally added PFAS chemical. Allows the State Fire Commissioner to grant a waiver authorizing loans for the purchase of personal protective equipment containing intentionally added PFAS if it is determined that no viable or reasonable PFAS-free alternatives are available. PASSED 48-1.

SB 465 (LAUGHLIN) Amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow club licensees to retain 50% of the proceeds collected from eligible small games of chance, with the remaining 50% of the proceeds being paid for public interest purposes. PASSED 49-0.

SB 995 (GEBHARD) Amends the Local Options Small Games of Chance Act to increase the aggregate prize limit that may be awarded from games of chance in a seven-day period by a licensed eligible organization from $35,000 to $60,000. PASSED 49-0.

SB 1328 (BARTOLOTTA) Creates the Utility Worksite Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Safety Act by requiring utilities to ensure at least one tested, maintained, and properly stored AED is readily available and operable at each worksite where linework or electrical work is performed for a utility. Exempts utilities that are responding to a mutual assistance event, such as an emergency or storm restoration. Requires utilities to communicate the location of each AED to workers at a worksite, provide AED and CPR training at no cost to workers, and ensure at least two workers at each worksite are trained in CPR and AED use. Provides Good Samaritan immunity to a person who renders emergency care with an AED. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industry to investigate alleged violations and impose administrative penalties for violations. PASSED 47-2.

Bills amended on Third Consideration

SB 330 (BROOKS) Amends the Sports Raffle Charities Act by requiring an affiliated nonprofit organization to remit five percent of the 50% total amount collected from the sale of athletic event drawing tickets to the Department of Revenue for donation to the Fire Company and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Programs. Requires each affiliated nonprofit organization to annually report to the State Treasurer for the prior year the total amount collected from drawing sales; the total amount donated to designated charitable organization or organizations for which a drawing was held; and the total amount remitted for the grant funding through the program. Requires the Treasurer to remit the report to the Department and legislative committees. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A04509 (PITTMAN) Has the affiliated nonprofit organization remit the donation to the State Treasurer rather than the Department of Revenue and clarifies the affiliated nonprofit organization conducting the raffle is responsible for remitting the donation for the Fire Company and EMS Grant Programs. AGREED TO.

SB 1262 (PENNYCUICK) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to impose a sentencing enhancement when an individual is convicted of operating a school bus or school vehicle with an illegal amount of alcohol, controlled substance or both, in the course of official duties, including when the driver is in route without passengers on board. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A03337 (COLEMAN) Requires side stop signal arm enforcement systems to verify a school bus driver actuated the red and amber visual signals as required by law when coming to a stop or receiving or discharging school children. ADOPTED 49-0.

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Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 535 (BOSCOLA) Amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act to permit a genetic counselor to order genetic tests that are appropriate for genetic assessment. Allows written medical, genetic and counseling information to be provided to referring providers and other appropriate health care professionals, while requiring the information to be documented in the client’s medical records. Prohibits a genetic counselor from diagnosing, managing, or treating any disease or condition. PASSED 50-0.

SB 536 (BOSCOLA) Amends the Medical Practice Act to permit a genetic counselor to order genetic tests that are appropriate for genetic assessment. Allows written medical, genetic and counseling information to be provided to referring providers and other appropriate health care professionals, while requiring the information to be documented in the client’s medical records. Prohibits a genetic counselor from diagnosing, managing, or treating any disease or condition. PASSED 50-0.

SB 1262 (PENNYCUICK) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to impose a sentencing enhancement when an individual is convicted of operating a school bus or school vehicle with an illegal amount of alcohol, controlled substance or both, in the course of official duties, including when the driver is in route without passengers on board. Requires side stop signal arm enforcement systems to verify a school bus driver actuated the red and amber visual signals as required by law when coming to a stop or receiving or discharging school children. PASSED 45-5.

SB 1431 (LAUGHLIN) Amends Title 34 (Game) to require a Game Commission officer, employee, or representative to obtain a valid warrant before entering any property, posted or otherwise. PASSED 50-0.

SB 1311 (LAUGHLIN) Amends Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) to require an order at sentencing prohibiting or limiting animal ownership or employment with the care of animals for individuals convicted of an animal cruelty offense. Directs the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to establish and maintain an online registry of individuals convicted of animal abuse offenses. Requires individuals subject to registry to provide in person certain information to the State Police within 20 days of release from incarceration or date of conviction if not incarcerated; inform the State Police of any changes to their identifying information within three days; and remain on the registry for the duration of their court-ordered animal ownership prohibition. Requires registry verification prior to the sale, transfer, or adoption of any animal. Makes it a summary offense to intentionally or knowingly sell, transfer, or adopt any animal to an individual appearing on the registry, with permanent revocation of a kennel, dealer, or out-of-state dealer license for third or subsequent offenses. Makes failing to register with State Police or be photographed or provide accurate information when registering a third-degree felony. PASSED 33-17.

SB 1485 (VOGEL) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to clarify that an applicant applying for a license related to the care or training of horses, racing activities, wagering, security, or management of licensed racing entities must submit their fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police for the purpose of a criminal history record check. Clarifies that the State Police must submit fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity of the individual and obtaining a current record of any criminal arrests and convictions. PASSED 50-0.

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Bill voted on Concurrence

SB 468 (LANGERHOLC) Amends Title 74 (Transportation) by authorizing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to negotiate one or more interstate agreements with an agency or educational partner recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration for research, testing, deployment, training, or education of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Requires PennDOT to approve at least one entity to administer the agreements on its behalf that is either located on or near an airport in the Commonwealth or is a school entity or institution of higher education that offers aviation courses. Specifies an interstate agreement must operate in Cambria County, Somerset County, or any other county as approved by PennDOT. Allows the operation of a UAS only if it is operated or authorized as per an interstate agreement and is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. Authorizes PennDOT to promulgate temporary regulations and requires interstate agreements to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin when entered into and effective. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

HB 71 (SMITH) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to allow safety cables to be used whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch or pintle hook without a locking device. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1006 (KERWIN) Amends the Milk Marketing Law to increase the milk tester and milk weigher/sampler certification periods from one to two years. Replaces outdated examination and certification fees with reference those established through regulation by the Milk Board. PASSED 49-0.

SB 1410 (PHILLIPS-HILL) Creates the Commonwealth Party Procurement Contract Terms Act to prohibit a Commonwealth party or local agency from including certain terms in a contract or agreement for the procurement or disposal of supplies; services or construction; or the licensing, access, exchange or use of information, software, or information technology. Specifically bars terms that require a Commonwealth party or local agency to indemnify, defend, or hold another entity harmless from liability; to subject the Commonwealth party or local agency to binding arbitration or any other binding dispute resolution process; to designate a venue for legal action or dispute resolution against the Commonwealth party outside the courts of the Commonwealth or a federal court in Pennsylvania, or waives a claim or defense that the forum is not convenient or proper; to require the contract to be governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth or required by federal law; to conflict with applicable federal or state statutes or regulations; to require the Commonwealth party or local agency to pay attorney or collection fees; or to require the Commonwealth party to pay interest or late fees beyond what is authorized under state law. PASSED 49-0.|

Executive Nominations

State Board of Funeral Directors, Charles F. Snyder, III    CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Game Commission, Micheal F. Mitrick    CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Alyn E. Waller    CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Kathryn L. Zerfuss    CONFIRMED 49-0.
Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, Albert Mezzaroba    CONFIRMED 45-4.
Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, William L. Trusky, Jr.    CONFIRMED 45-4.
Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University, David M. Davis    CONFIRMED 48-1.
Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University, Daniel J. Delligatti    CONFIRMED 48-1. 

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