weekly legislative update

Here is a list of bills that passed this week in the house and senate; as usual, the list of sponsors was deleted if it ran beyond 2 lines, in the interest of saving space. Note that our hardworking legislature named a lot of bridges and highways this week. Both chambers passed a bill stating that if state library funding falls below a certain level libraries do not have to meet certain state standards. Isn't that like saying that if the state doesn't fund schools at a certain level they no longer have to teach math? I just don't like the sound of it. SB 502 (second to the last item on this list) seems very sensible and well worthwhile. Some of the other bills sound like good work as well, but I didn't have the time to read all of them. If you click on the printer's number you can see the actual text of the bill. If the imbedded links don't transfer to blogger, go to www.legis.state.pa.us. There should be a way to check on the status of legislation and read bills. Remember, you, too, can receive daily updates on legislation introduced and acted upon. Visit the state legislature's web site (see URL above) and there is a place to ask for the emails.

PICPA, the PA CPA's organization, has updated their weekly legislative update. Perusing Keystone Politics I found two other sources of legislative information and added them to my links list. Take a look at capitol ideas and Edico.

HOUSE

HB 1589 By Representatives MAJOR, HERMAN, SONNEY, BAKER, HANNA, STERN, CAUSER, PICKETT, RAPP and FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 1990. Printer's No. 2215. An Act amending the act of June 30, 2003 (P.L.15, No.7), known as the Medicare Hospital Service Payment Designation Act, further providing for designation of hospitals.

HB 1534 Printer's No. 1889. An Act establishing a task force on Lyme disease and related maladies; and providing for powers and duties of the task force, the Department of Health, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, for certain antibiotic therapies and for misconduct proceedings.

HB 1400 Printer's No. 1688. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for indecent assault.

HB 1365 Prior Printer's Nos. 1653, 1916. Printer's No. 2214. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for foreign decree of adoption.

HB 1361 Printer's No. 1636. An Act amending the act of May 16, 2002 (P.L.315, No.46), known as the Community Services Block Grant Act, further providing for the expiration of the act.

HB 1338 By Representative HICKERNELL. Printer's No. 1596. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, to grant and convey to the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, certain lands situate in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County.

HB 1313 Prior Printer's No. 1561. Printer's No. 1971. An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, further providing for State Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council.

HB 1285 Prior Printer's No. 1529. Printer's No. 1966. An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for administrative practice and procedure; and making a related repeal.

HB 1183 Prior Printer's No. 1389. Printer's No. 1734. An Act redesignating a bridge on that portion of SR (truck route) 271 over the Conemaugh River and the Northfolk Southern mainline, Franklin Borough, Cambria County, as the Sergeant Michael Strank Memorial Bridge.

HB 1168 Prior Printer's No. 1374. Printer's No. 1873. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for special provider participation requirements.

HB 742 Printer's No. 833. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unlawful devices and methods for taking furbearers.

HB 566 Printer's No. 639. An Act amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1234, No.204), known as the Family Caregiver Support Act, further providing for reimbursements.

HB 247 Prior Printer's Nos. 273, 1862. Printer's No. 2216. An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, further providing for definitions; providing for licensure of home care agencies; establishing certain consumer rights and protections; and providing for inspections and plans of correction and for applicability of act.

HB 163 Prior Printer's No. 163. Printer's No. 1968. An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, further providing for compensation rates.

HB 63 Prior Printer's No. 125. Printer's No. 2217. An Act providing for Commonwealth support for an Urban Teacher and Empowerment District Educator Loan Forgiveness Program for Pennsylvania residents who graduate from institutions of higher education and who apply their degrees to teaching in urban public schools in this Commonwealth.

HB 30 Printer's No. 33. An Act amending the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, further providing for the payment of compensation to widows, widowers and children.

HB 1304 Printer's No. 1548. An Act amending the act of June 14, 1961 (P.L.324, No.188), known as The Library Code, providing for fiscal year waiver of standards.

HB 1200 Prior Printer's Nos. 1406, 1615. Printer's No. 2177. An Act amending the act of May 16, 1923 (P.L.207, No.153), referred to as the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, providing for donation of property; and further providing for form of claims, for records of claims and tax liens and for report of nonpayment of taxes.

HB 488 Prior Printer's No. 527. Printer's No. 2178. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for a prototypical school facility design clearinghouse and for free and reduced-price school lunches in certain circumstances; and limiting the use of funds for implementation of the clearinghouse.

HB 114 Prior Printer's No. 112. Printer's No. 2176. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense relating to corrupt organizations; and providing for an offense relating to drug-free park zones.

SENATE

HB 402 Prior Printer's Nos. 427, 1459. Printer's No. 2067. An Act designating a portion of a State route in the City of Erie as Michael A. Cannavino Way; redesignating the Carey Avenue Bridge between Larksville Borough and Hanover Township, Luzerne County, as the 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery, PA Army National Guard Bridge; and designating the portion of State Route 28 in Etna Borough and Shaler Township in Allegheny County as the 28th Signal Battalion Memorial Highway.

SB 651 Printer's No. 748. An Act amending the act of June 14, 1961 (P.L.324, No.188), known as The Library Code, further providing for waiver of standards.

SB Printer's No. 781. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for program of continuing professional education.

SB 706 By Senator M. WHITE. Prior Printer's No. 850. Printer's No. 928. An Act designating the Main Street Bridge in Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the General Richard Butler Bridge.

SB 721 By Senator LEMMOND. Printer's No. 865. An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, designating a portion of State Route 6 in Wyoming County as a scenic byway; and designating a certain portion of State Route 92 in Susquehanna County as a scenic byway.

SB 677 Printer's No. 815. An Act designating a portion of State Route 322 in Delaware County as the Senator Clarence D. Bell Memorial Highway.

SB 141 By Senators ERICKSON, THOMPSON and PILEGGI. Printer's No. 128. An Act designating a bridge in Westtown Township, Chester County, the L. Charles Scipione Bridge.

SB 126 By Senators WENGER, ARMSTRONG and BRIGHTBILL. Printer's No. 109. An Act designating a certain bridge carrying State Route 322 over Conestoga River in Earl Township, Lancaster County as the Representative Leroy M. Zimmerman Memorial Bridge.

HB 1178 Prior Printer's No. 1384. Printer's No. 2132. An Act repealing the act of April 3, 1872 (1873 P.L.1061, No.1109), entitled "An act to incorporate the State police of Crawford and Erie counties."

SB 599 By Senator D. WHITE. Printer's No. 670. An Act designating State Route 56 in Seward, Westmoreland County, as the Ricky Hafer Highway; and designating State Route 711 in Seward, Westmoreland County, as Aaron Rusin Boulevard.

SB 573 By Senators GORDNER, LOGAN, PILEGGI, RAFFERTY, VANCE and WONDERLING. Printer's No. 623. An Act amending the act of May 21, 1943 (P.L.571, No.254), known as The Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law, further providing for valuation of persons and property.

SB 502 By Senators GREENLEAF, PILEGGI, KITCHEN, EARLL, COSTA, KASUNIC, LEMMOND, BOSCOLA, LOGAN, MUSTO, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON and STACK.
Prior Printer's No. 535. Printer's No. 717. An Act amending the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, requiring the disclosure of flood history to lessees of residential real property.

SB 406 By Senators PIPPY, LAVALLE, KITCHEN, STOUT, COSTA, ORIE, ARMSTRONG and LOGAN. Printer's No. 433. An Act designating SR 65 in the vicinity of Leetsdale, Allegheny County, as the James E. Russo Highway.