House OKs Study of Right-to-Know Law, Harper Says

Mar. 21, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s Right-to-Know Law, the state House has unanimously approved a resolution, sponsored by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), to study the law’s impact on state and local agencies.

House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Task Force Bill

Mar. 21, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee will consider House Bill 235 authored by its chairman, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), to establish a task force on the opioid abuse epidemic’s impact on children. The legislation also would outline the duties and responsibilities of such task force, which is modeled after the Task Force on Child Protection.

Human Services Committee to Consider Rx Database, Budget Impasse and Mental Health Measures

Mar. 21, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider four proposals, including two by the chairman. House Bill 396 would require prescribers to query the prescription monitoring database for each patient every time the patient is prescribed a controlled substance; and House Bill 398 would ensure that funding continues for essential human services in case of a budget impasse. Two other bills on the agenda include House Bill 45, which would allow eligible, terminally ill patients to use investigational drugs, biological products and devices not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and House Bill 381, which would require the Department of Human Services to issue guidelines and adopt rules and regulations regarding a minor’s right to consent to mental health treatment.

Pickett Bill to Exempt Maple Sugar Houses from UCC Passes House

Mar. 20, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation that will help bring common sense to the state’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC), especially along the Northern Tier, passed the state House today and is on its way to the state Senate for consideration, said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna).

Rep. White Bill to Protect Police IDs Passes House

Mar. 20, 2017 /

HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) to protect police officers and their families when the officer is involved in a discharge of his or her firearm or other use of force has passed the House.

Who Will Come When You Call?

Mar. 20, 2017 /

In the spirit of Senate Resolution 60, the General Assembly is working on corresponding legislation that addresses the following issues:

Benninghoff Invites Tech Firms to Present Potential Budget Cost Savings

Mar. 20, 2017 /

WHAT: State government agencies have spent millions of taxpayer dollars to upgrade and build technology systems and databases in an attempt to make government run more efficiently and effectively. Yet, despite the money being spent, the data collected is not being used to its fullest potential, personnel costs are climbing, fraud and system abuse continues, and Pennsylvania is still years behind in its technology capabilities.

Committee Approves Ortitay Bill to Streamline Problem Gambling Assistance

Mar. 20, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — The House Gaming Oversight Committee today reported out Rep. Jason Ortitay’s (R-Washington/Allegheny) legislation to streamline the Commonwealth’s problem gambling assistance telephone number and put into law current practice involving education, awareness and training for problem gaming.

Barrar and House, Senate Committees to Hear from Veteran Community

Mar. 20, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will conduct a joint informational hearing to learn about programs and issues that affect our veteran and military communities.

Senate and House Committees Announce Hearing on Autonomous Vehicle Testing

Mar. 17, 2017 /

HARRISBURG-- The Senate and House Transportation Committees will hold a joint hearing to gather information on “Highly Automated Vehicles,” also known as autonomous vehicles, driverless cars, self-driving cars, etc. The committees will focus on Senate Bill 427, which creates standards for the testing of Highly Automated Vehicles (HAV) on roadways in the Commonwealth.

State Legislators to Condemn Anti-Semitic Activity

Mar. 17, 2017 /

WHAT: Members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly will discuss House Resolution 161, legislation condemning the recent acts of hate against the Jewish community across this country and in Pennsylvania. They will call for education - particularly for young people – that would build understanding among the future generations.

House Passes Toohil’s Adoption Reform Legislation

Mar. 16, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Adoption reform legislation that would provide financial assistance to birth mothers, sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for consideration this week.

Legislative Audit Advisory Commission to Release 2016 Audit

Mar. 15, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland), chairman of the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission (LAAC), and other LAAC members will meet to review and accept the audit of the Pennsylvania General Assembly for 2016. The commission consists of eight members, including a majority and a minority member of the House of Representatives and two public members appointed by the House Speaker; and a majority and a minority member of the Senate and two public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.