Weekly Wrap

The capitol was abuzz as the state legislature got down to business this first full week of the 2017-2018 legislative session. The House Committees were reorganized for the new term on Monday, and the next day both chambers were back in action.

Tuesday, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two bills affecting the natural gas industry: S.B. 138 and S.B. 139, both sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming). S.B. 138 amends the Oil and Gas Lease Act to allow gas lease royalty owners to examine the records of a lessee gas company, and S.B. 139 establishes The Natural Gas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act to allow landowners to take action against a gas company without fear of having their lease terminated.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on winter storm preparedness in the Commonwealth. Craig Shuey, COO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, spoke about 18 new strategies to keep the Commonwealth’s roadways open during major storms. The new strategies center around improving internal procedures, modernizing communications and focusing on travelers’ needs.

The committees were busier on Wednesday, and included a meeting of the Senate Local Government Committee to consider S.B. 10 (Reschenthaler, R-Allegheny), which would hold “municipalities of refuge” liable for damages and injuries caused by individuals released from police custody despite the existence of a U.S. Immigration and Customs civil immigration detainer request for the individual, and S.B. 128 (Eichelberger, R-Blair), preventing municipalities from mandating leave or vacation not otherwise required by state or Federal law. The Senate Urban Affairs Committee also met to consider two bills, both sponsored by Sen. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery). S.B. 50 would require a property located in a flood plain to be disclosed on a property disclosure statement, and S.B. 51 would require the same information to be disclosed by a landlord entering a lease of residential real property.

A Look Ahead

Only the Senate will be in Harrisburg for session next week. No committee meetings have yet been scheduled, but when they are, you can find them here.

Meanwhile, the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold public hearings on raising the minimum wage, blended learning and suicide prevention.

News from Buchanan:

We are pleased to announce that former Pennsylvania Rep. John Payne has joined our Harrisburg Government Relations team. Having served 14 years in the state legislature, John brings expertise in gaming, transportation, economic development and liquor issues to BIR.  You can read John’s full bio, as well as bios for all the GR professionals in our Harrisburg, Florida and Washington, D.C. offices here.

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