SB 976, PN 1481 (Regan) – Specifically enables the establishment of veterans’ courts, including regional courts. Senator Hughes offered amendment A05557 which places a freeze on evictions filed 30 days prior to the declaration of the statewide judicial emergency or county judicial emergency until 60 days after the later of the end of the statewide judicial emergency or a county judicial emergency. The amendment also freezes the filing of new evictions until 60 days after the later of the end of the statewide judicial emergency or a county judicial emergency. These provisions apply to both residential and business evictions. The amendment places a freeze on foreclosures on residential owner-occupied properties and businesses that are currently pending in court until 60 days after the later of the end of the statewide judicial emergency or a county judicial emergency. New foreclosure actions, under this amendment, cannot be filed until 60 days after the later of the end of the statewide judicial emergency or a county judicial emergency. The amendment failed by a vote of 20-29 and the bill was approved by a vote of 49-0.
SB 1128, PN 1657 (Baker) – An Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, providing for declaration of judicial emergencies. Senator Baker offered amendment A05320 which tolls the payment of fines under 75 Pa.C.S § 1533 (Failure to respond to citation) for a period of an additional 30 days from the sooner of: Expiration of the declared judicial emergency; Establishment of a method of action or payment by rule of court in the judicial district during a judicial emergency (Local rule); or Rule of court establishing of a method of action or payment prior to the effective date of the judicial emergency. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote. The bill was approved by a vote of 49-0.
HB 1076, PN 3594 (Hennessey) – This bill allows school districts to create a volunteer property tax relief program for residents to receive a partial property tax credit. Residents must be at least 60 years old and would receive the credit in exchange for volunteer services to the school district. This bill would also extend the application deadline for Property Tax Rent Rebates to Dec. 31, 2020. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.
SB 1122, PN 1665 (Pittman) – This bill amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to establish the COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program and provide for the expenditure of emergency federal funds. A vote of 49-0 was recorded.