State Government 2015-2016
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 1334, PN 1992 (Dinniman) – This bill establishes the Medal of Honor Grove Act designed to help preserve the 52-acre Freedom Foundation’s Medal of Honor Grove in Chester County. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1348, PN 2260 (Cutler) – This bill amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to increase penalties imposed on lobbyists or principals in violation of the law. Senator Folmer offered amendment A10535, which adds new electronic registration requirements for lobbyists. The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
HB 1968, PN 3964 (Christiana) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in South Strabane Township and the City of Washington, Washington County. Senator Folmer offered amendment A10542, which authorizes an additional land conveyance in Westmoreland County. The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 1340, PN 2008 (Bartolotta) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in South Strabane Township, Washington County via a competitive bid process. Senator Folmer offered amendment A10067, which authorizes DGS to convey another tract of land located in the City of Washington, Washington County. The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
SB 1344, PN 2026 (Alloway) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to exempt sitting magisterial district judges from collecting signatures when seeking re-election. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1872, PN 2893 (Metcalfe) – This bill amends Title 37 (Historical and Museums) to update procedures for selling or disposing of abandoned property on loan to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, designates the Commission as the administer of the State Archives and further provides for access to older records. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1959, PN 3107 (Kampf) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land to Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 2107, PN 3657 (Baker) – This bill amends Title 62 (Procurement) to prohibit the Department of General Services (DGS) from contracting with certain companies. Senator Folmer offered amendment A10072, which provides for public access to procurement records. The amended bill was reported via unanimous vote.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 413, PN 363 (Alloway) – This bill amends Titles 2 (Administrative Law and Procedure), 4 (Amusements) and 13 (Commercial Code) to establish the Office of Administrative Hearings and extensively revise provisions on the practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 1313, PN 1926 (White) – This bill amends Title 62 (Procurement) to make clarifications to the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) program by defining “operating costs,” “energy-related cost savings,” and “energy savings company.” Senator Folmer offered amendment A08823, which requires clearer payment terms within a guaranteed energy savings contract. The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
SR 394, PN 1969 (Vogel) – This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study voting system technology and report its findings to the Senate within 18 months. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 170, PN 1304 (Browne) – This bill creates the Pennsylvania Museum Preservation Act to direct the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to establish a grant program for eligible museums. Senator Folmer offered amendment A08220, which changes the funding source from the inheritance tax to the sales tax. The amendment was approved and the bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
HB 2034, PN 3273 (A. Harris) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in Juniata County to the Juniata County Historical Society. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 2035, PN 3274 (A. Harris) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in Mifflin County to the Mifflin County Historical Society. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, June 08, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 1157, PN 1620 (Schwank) – This bill requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed anywhere the United States flag is displayed on Commonwealth grounds or buildings, where both can be reasonably accommodated. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 495, PN 449 (Folmer) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to make it easier for independent and minor political party candidates to be placed on the general election ballot. Senator stressed that this is simply meant to be a vehicle for potential election law changes regarding ballot access. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1934, PN 3076 (Truitt) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey a water tower and grant a utility easement located in West Chester to Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1990, PN3365 (Major) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in Susquehanna County to Associate Members of Old Mill Village Museum, Inc. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 2003, PN 3211 (Cutler) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in Lancaster County to the Southern Lancaster County Historical Society. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 2014, PN 3220 (Sankey) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey property located in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County at a price to be determined through competitive bidding. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
In addition, the committee unanimously approved Garry Gamle’s re-appointment to the Board of Claims. The nomination was referred to the Rules Committee.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 to consider the following:
SB 1192, PN 1717 (Wozniak) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to dedicate a Commonwealth controlled right-of-way to Cresson Township, Cambria County for the purposes of building a road. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 1205, PN 1727 (Scavello) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services and East Stroudsburg University to convey public water supply easements to the Borough of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 1225, PN 1755 (Browne) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to partially release restrictions placed on land previously conveyed to Penn State University. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 1232, PN 1760 (Corman) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey land located in Rush Township, Centre County to the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1205, PN 1983 (Dunbar) – This bill creates the Results First Act and authorizes the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to collect information from Commonwealth agencies to be analyzed, calculated and used in cost-benefit reports. The IFO will use information collected to compile reports as directed by the General Assembly. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
HB 1653, PN 2661 (Oberlander) – This bill amends Title 62 (Procurement) to create a verification system for diverse and disadvantaged businesses based in the Commonwealth for purposes of encouraging procurement and increasing their competiveness nationally. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, November 23, 2015 to consider the following:
SR 248, PN 1435 (Rafferty) – This Resolution urges the Governor and the President of the United States to discontinue the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the Commonwealth until effective security checks are in place. It should be noted, as Senator Leach pointed out, that refuges to the United States are already put through a very rigorous background screening process that can take 2-3 years. Senator Williams attempted to offer a pair of amendments (A04452 and AA04465), but they were both tabled on party-line votes (7-4). Senator Williams’ motioned to table the Resolution, but the motion failed by a vote of 3-8. The Resolution was ultimately reported as committed, 8-3.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. The committee unanimously reported out all of the following, as committed:
SB 952, PN 1176 (Dinniman) – This bill authorizes the Department of Generals Services to convey a portion of land located in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County.
SB 1022, PN 1306 (Argall) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey a permanent sanitary sewer easement and a temporary construction easement to the South Heidelberg Municipal Authority in Berks County.
SB 1054, PN 1391 (Ward) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to convey to ACMIII, LP a portion of land located in Derry Township, Westmoreland County.
SB 1052, PN 1389 (Stefano) – This bill amends Title 25 (Elections) to allow military and overseas voters to return their absentee ballot to the Commonwealth electronically. Senator Stefano indicated an amendment would likely be drafted in the near future to address security concerns communicated by interested parties.
SB 1068, PN 1405 (Smucker) – This bill authorizes the release of Project 70 restrictions on land owned by the City of Lancaster in exchange for placing two additional parcels of land under the Project 70 program.
SR 215, PN 1345 (Argall) – This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to complete a review and study of best practices used by private businesses to lease, acquire and manage office and warehouse space.
SR 238, PN 1395 (Williams) – This Resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the use of unmanned drones by State and local agencies, including law enforcement.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 411, PN 332 (Pileggi) – This bill amends the Right-to-Know Law by making clarifications to the Law, further providing for access to records, limiting certain requests, expanding exceptions to the Law, making adjustments to the appeals process, and allowing for additional fees for commercial requests. Senator Pileggi offered amendment A02480, which was technical in nature (adopted unanimously). Senator Williams offered amendment A02401. The language in this amendment is that which is contained in SB 412, Senator Blake’s bill that significantly increases access to the records of the Commonwealth’s state-related universities (Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple and Lincoln). The amendment was adopted, 9-2. The bill was reported as amended by a vote of 9-2.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 and unanimously voted out the following, as committed:
HB 14, PN 162 (Marshall) – This bill amends the Legislative Code of Ethics to prohibit a member of the legislature from creating or running a legislative nonprofit organization.
HB 664, PN 766 (Helm) – This bill designates the third Saturday of each June as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” in Pennsylvania. This day would be an observed holiday.
SR 138, PN 986 (Vulakovich) – This resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how much the Commonwealth spends on salaries, compensation and benefits for members of State boards and commissions.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 388, PN 301 (Pileggi) – This bill amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to prohibit contingency-fee lobbying for grants, loans, capital projects and other Commonwealth funds awarded by an agency. Senator Pileggi offered a technical amendment to the bill. SB 388 was reported as amended (unanimous).
SB 479, PN 437 (Gordner) – This bill designates the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Resource Management Center in Conyngham Township, Columbia County, as the Edward W. Helfrick Resource Management Center. The bill was reported as committed.
SB 620, PN 617 (Vance) – This bill authorizes the release of Project 70 restrictions on land owned by the Borough of Carlisle, Cumberland County. In return, the Borough will develop park and open space land elsewhere. The bill was reported as committed.
SB 640, PN 647 (Dinniman) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to permit therapy dogs on all forms of public transportation. Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01745 which clarifies the civil rights of owners of therapy dogs and the definition of “recognized therapy dog training organization.” The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 to consider the following:
Acting Secretary Pedro Cortes, Department of State, nominee. The committee took a unanimous “no position” vote and referred the nomination to the full Senate for consideration.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, May 05, 2015 to consider the nomination of Curtis Topper as the Secretary of General Services. Confirmation was unanimous and the nomination was referred to the Rules Committee.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, April, 22, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 643, PN 652 (Aument) – This bill amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to no longer allow a state or local agency to negotiate collective bargaining agreements during an executive session. Senator Dinniman noted that the process in place currently is designed to have a certain amount of privacy in order to bring two sides together. Senator Schwank noted that the system is working, and that transparency at the local level typically includes a public comment period, as well as newspaper reports on agreements. Senator Pileggi said he believes that this bill needs additional work and pointed out that it seems to center around labor unions, and only labor unions. Senator Pileggi also noted that agreements are often negotiated by lawyers representing a government body, instead of being negotiated in full by the body itself, which wouldn’t qualify as an executive execution under the Sunshine Law. Senator Williams made a motion to table this bill and the other two bills before the Committee so that hearings can be held, and to allow for greater input, being that these are being labeled as transparency bills. The motion failed on a party line vote of 4-7. The bill was reported from the committee on a party line vote of 7-4.
SB 644, PN 758 (Folmer) – This bill amends Title 71 (State Government) to require the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to analyze each collective bargaining agreement the Governor negotiates, before the agreement is executed. Senator Folmer offered amendment A800676, which would clarify what information must be provided to the IFO to conduct its analysis. The amendment was approved by unanimous vote. The bill was reported as amended on a party line vote of 7-4.
SB 645, PN 759 (Stefano) – This bill creates the Public Employer Collective Bargaining Transparency Act to require all offers that are part of a collective bargaining agreement to be posted on the employer’s website before the agreement is signed. The bill was reported as committed on a party line vote of 7-4.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 3, PN 224 (Folmer) – This bill creates the Medical Cannabis Act to provide for the legalization of medical cannabis for a variety of qualified medical conditions. The bill also creates the State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing which is provided the power and responsibility to oversee medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensers. Senator Folmer offered A00675, a gut and replace amendment that makes a number of changes which include an expansion of covered diseases, providing for a real time registry to track product, and additional oversight provisions. The amendment was approved by unanimous vote. The bill was reported as amended (unanimous).
SB 695, PN 682 (Scarnati) – This bill amends Title 65 (Public Officers) to require the Department of State to post all lobbying disclosure forms on its website within seven days of receipt of filing. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 to consider the following:
HB 192, PN 353 (Gillen) – This bill amends the Civil Service Act to require the Civil Service Commission to advertise Pennsylvania law regarding veterans’ preference. Senator Folmer offered a technical amendment that approved unanimously. The bill was then reported as amended (unanimous).
SB 442, PN 391 (Folmer) – This bill creates the Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act to require Commonwealth agencies that pay for advertisements to include the statement: “Paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars.” The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 622, PN 644 (Mensch) – This bill removes three recurring reports required of the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC). The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 699, PN 683 (Yudichak) – This bill authorizes the disposition of land located in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County. The land will be acquired and managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 to consider the following bill:
SB 501, PN 497 (Eichelberger) – This bill creates the Protection of Employee Wages Act to prohibit public employers from deducting political contributions, fair share fees or membership dues from the wages of a public employee. It also states that collective bargaining agreements shall not authorize or require the deduction of political contributions, fair share fees or membership dues deductions from a public employee’s wages. The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 6-5. Senator Pileggi joined Senate Democrats in voting against the bill. Note: Senator Folmer indicated that a substantial amendment to the bill will be introduced at a later time.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday, February 23, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 500, PN 496 (Wagner) – This bill proposes an amendment to the constitution to prohibit state agencies and school districts from using their payroll systems to collect membership dues, nonmembership fees or political contributions from state employees. Any collective bargaining agreement that allows for such fees or dues to be collected would be void. Senator Pileggi spoke on the bill, pointing out that notice of the meeting and its agenda wasn’t announced until late Friday (February 20th). This was cited as a hindrance to drawing up possible amendments to the bill. Senator Williams made a motion to table the bill, which failed by a vote of 6-5. The bill was ultimately reported as committed by a vote of 6-5. Senator Pileggi joined democrats in voting to table the bill and voted against moving the bill out of committee. While voting in favor of the bill in committee, Senator McIlhinney stipulated that he reserves the right to vote “no” on the bill on the Senate floor because the bill encompasses all membership dues.
SB 266, PN 146 (Eichelberger) – This bill authorizes the Department of General Services to grant and convey two permanent utility and access easements to the Bear Valley Franklin County Pennsylvania Joint Authority so that groundwater may be withdrawn from the site in Franklin County. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
Note: SB 501 was pulled from the agenda. This legislation would create the Protection of Employee Wages Act to prohibit public employers from deducting political contributions, fair share fees or membership dues from the wages of a public employee. It also states that collective bargaining agreements shall not authorize or require the deduction of political contributions, fair share fees or membership dues deductions from a public employee’s wages.
The Senate State Government Committee met on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 to consider the following:
SB 9, PN 241 (Stefano) – This bill would require anyone who applies for public benefits to provide an acceptable form of identification to the administering Commonwealth agency. An agency that administers public benefits will verify the applicant’s legal presence in the U.S. using the Systematic Alien Verification Entitlement (SAVE) program. The applicant must also execute an affidavit stating that he/she is a U.S. citizen or is otherwise in the country legally. The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 9-2.
SB 82, PN 58 (Greenleaf) – This bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to require counties to post election results on the internet. Results will be made available as soon as possible. The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
SB 316, PN 206 (Folmer) – This bill makes several changes to Title 62 (Procurement). It provides for public access to procurement records (consistent with the Right to Know Law), requires certain sole source procurements to be signed by the head of an agency, and explicitly allows agencies to procure services without a written contract during an emergency (written determinations will still be required and will be part of the procurement file). The bill was reported as committed (unanimous).
At the conclusion of the meeting Senator Folmer announced that a hearing will be held in Harrisburg on February 25th on Senate Bill 3, the medical cannabis bill.