Weekly Wrap
Things got started a day late for both chambers this week due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. The House of Representatives held three session days, while the Senate began their 2019-20 budget hearings.
On Tuesday, the House Urban Affairs Committee reported out H.B. 324 (Gillespie, R-York), which would establish a microenterprise loan program as an economic development and revitalization tool to address unemployment. In addition, the House Transportation Committee reported H.B. 374 (Everett, R-Lycoming) out of committee. The bill would create the Keystone Tree Fund, in order to fund a tree vitalization program and a riparian forest buffer grant program.
Wednesday, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee voted in favor of H.B. 441 (Sonney, R-Erie), which would provide preserved farmland owners with more than 50 acres the access to grant a right-of-way to install a wind power generation system.
Lastly, on Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee reported out H.B. 276 (Delozier, R-Cumberland), which proposes to amend the PA Constitution to set forth specific rights for victims of a crime. The full House unanimously voted in favor of H.B. 128 (Brown, R-Monroe), which would establish the First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Program. H.B. 81 (Kauffman, R-Franklin) also passed unanimously. The bill would provide for the certification of central service technicians and surgical technologists.
In addition to the legislative action in the House, here are the highlights of the Senate budget hearings:
Tuesday, February 19
Department of Revenue and PA Lottery
- Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax
- iLottery and online gaming
- Minimum wage
Independent Fiscal Office
- 2019-20 economic outlook
Public Utility Commission
- Nuclear energy
- Pipelines
- Rural broadband access
Wednesday, February 20
Department of State
- Election security
- Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS)
Thursday, February 21
State System of Higher Education
- Higher Education Funding Commission
- Tuition rates
- Closing of schools
State Police and Homeland Security
- Municipal fee for state police coverage
- Trooper complement
- Technology (body cameras, statewide radio, etc.)
Emergency Management Agency and Fire Commissioner
- Recruitment and retention of emergency services workers
- Response to natural disasters and emergencies
The Week Ahead
The House and Senate Appropriations Committee will be in Harrisburg to continue budget hearings. Here’s what to expect:
Monday, February 25
House
- Pennsylvania State Police/Homeland Security (10:00 a.m.)
- Department of Corrections, Board of Probation & Parole, Commission on Crime & Delinquency, and the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (1:00 p.m.)
- Department of Health/Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (3:00 p.m.)
Senate
- Department of Labor & Industry (10:00 a.m.)
- Department of General Services (1:00 p.m.)
- Department of Transportation (3:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, February 26
House
- Office of Administration (10:00 a.m.)
- Department of Transportation (1:00 p.m.)
- Department of General Services (3:00 p.m.)
Senate
- State-Related Universities (10:00 a.m.)
- Judiciary (1:00 p.m.)
- PA College of Technology (3:00 p.m.)
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (4:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, February 27
House
- Gaming Control Board (10:00 a.m.)
- Department of Community & Economic Development (1:00 p.m.)
- Liquor Control Board (3:00 p.m.)
Senate
- Department of Health (10:00 a.m.)
- Department of Human Services (1:00 p.m.)
Thursday, February 28
House
- Department of Human Services (10:00 a.m.)
Senate
- Department of Corrections and Board of Probation & Parole (10:00 a.m.)
- Liquor Control Board (1:00 p.m.)
- Department of Environmental Protection (3:00 p.m.)
- Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (4:00 p.m.)
In Other News
- Governor Wolf signed an executive order, which established the Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center.
- The formation of Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission was announced.
- Legislation was introduced to expand the use of solar energy in the state.