Weekly Wrap

While Monday was relatively slow under the Capitol dome, Governor Wolf made news when he vetoed H.R. 836 (Diamond, R-Lebanon), which called for an end to the disaster declaration for the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One committee meeting to note was the Senate State Government Committee, who reported out H.B. 1069 (Bernstine, R-Lawrence), which would require an agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to a meeting and prohibit official action on items not on the agenda. 

On Tuesday, the Senate Local Government Committee held a public hearing on H.B. 1563 (Moul, R-Adams), which would allow the owner of multiple properties or units served by a single meter to request a rate study that uses a minimum of one year’s worth of usage data. Also, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out H.B. 942 (Grove, R-York), which would make changes to the composition of the Department of Human Services’ Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.

The full House sent two bills related to the reopening of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Senate: 

  • H.B. 2541 (Farry, R-Bucks), which would allow counties to implement a countywide reopening plan for businesses subject to closure; and
  • H.B. 2549 (Everett, R-Lycoming), which would establish a “green plus” phase in the current reopening process.

Wednesday, the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee reported out H.B. 2293 (Quinn, R-Delaware), which would require a public utility that delivers natural gas liquids through a high consequence area to make their emergency response plan available upon request. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee reported out S.B. 1189 (Ward, R-Westmoreland), which would provide safety protocols for nursing homes during an emergency disaster proclamation issued by the Governor related to a communicable disease.

Two bills that would amend the PA Constitution passed in both chambers. They will need to do so again next legislative session before going to the voters as a ballot question.

  • H.B. 196 (Diamond, R-Lebanon), which would create regional districts from which Supreme Court, Superior Court, and Commonwealth Court judges are elected; and
  • S.B. 1166 (Ward, R-Westmoreland), which would: (1) require the passage of a concurrent resolution for the Governor to extend an emergency declaration beyond 30 days, and (2) prohibit the denial or abridgement of equality of rights because of race and ethnicity.

The following bills passed in both chambers and are on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature:  

  • H.B. 672 (Ortitay, R-Allegheny), which would make changes to provisions regarding consent to mental health treatment services for minors 14-18 years old;
  • H.B. 732 (Kaufer, R-Luzerne), which would establish the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit program for dry natural gas purchased and used in the manufacturing of petrochemicals or fertilizers;
  • H.B. 1437 (Keller, R-Perry), which would make various changes to the City Revitalization and Improvement Zones (CRIZ) program and the Rural Job and Investment Tax Credit program;
  • H.B. 2484 (White, R-Philadelphia), which would allow charitable trusts and non-profit charitable organizations to hold more assets as income and enter into binding nonjudicial agreements on donations; and
  • S.B. 836 (Regan, R-Cumberland), which would provide information on electrocardiogram (EKG) testing to high school athletes and give families the option of adding an EKG test to the athletic participation physical.

The Week Ahead

While no session is scheduled, there are three public hearings on the calendar for next week.

Tuesday, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a public hearing on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Also, the House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on S.B. 1199 (Aument, R-Lancaster), which would provide for personal delivery devices in pedestrian areas.

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on H.B. 2646 (Wentling, R-Mercer), which would update the Vehicle Code regarding electronic bikes.

In Other News

  • The Department of Health and Department of Education announced updated guidance to help Pre-K to 12 schools prepare to safely reopen.
  • The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) will review the financial impacts of integrating operations at selected universities.
  • Governor Wolf announced the availability of $50 million in grant funding to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Administration announced the availability of $10 million in grant funding to support the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments, and therapies by qualified biotechnology entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 27 multimodal projects were selected for a total of $30.2 million in funding through the PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund.
  • The Governor signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission.