March 12, 2012
SB 276, PN 1977 (Argall) – This legislation amends the Downtown Location Law to expand the factors that should be considered when determining where to local a state office facility and requires that the agency coordinate with local historical and economic development...
March 9, 2012
By a narrow 26-23 vote, the Senate passed House Bill 934, the controversial Voter ID bill that will require voters to present photo identification each time they vote. Democrats railed against the Republican pushed initiative, calling it a “solution in search of a...
March 6, 2012
SB 1301, PN 1803 (Williams) – This bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assessments of persons and property, to add definitions of boards of the Homestead Property Exclusion to include the body with...
March 5, 2012
SB 1049, PN 1717 (Kasunic) – This bill would amend Title 30 (Fish) to provide the Fish and Boat Commission with license issuing flexibility. A vote of 48-0 was recorded. SB 1324, PN 1945 (Yaw) – This bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary) providing for actions regarding...
February 23, 2012
By a 31-19 vote, the Senate approved controversial legislation that taxes and regulates the gas drilling industry. The conference committee report (approved 4-2 on a party line basis) on House Bill 1950 establishes a drilling “impact fee” on a sliding scale over 15...
February 23, 2012
By a vote of 43-7, the Senate approved a measure that allowed 17,000 Pennsylvanians to continue to receive extended unemployment benefits. The legislation, Senate Bill 1375, was needed for the state to draw down federal money that would pay for the extension. The...
February 8, 2012
SB 405 PN 1534 (Browne):Amends § 301.1 of The Local Tax Enabling Act to clarify when a political subdivision may levy a business privilege tax (“BPT”). Senator Blake offered Amendment A05908, which would amend the BPT. The amendment was defeated 19-37. The bill was...
February 7, 2012
SB 1237, PN 1918 (Pileggi) – This bill amends the Keystone Opportunity Zone, Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone and Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone to allow designation of any unused Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones and extends tax exemptions to any parcel...
February 6, 2012
HB 1950, PN 2837 (Ellis) – This bill amends Title 58 (Oil and Gas), pertaining to Marcellus Shale gas drilling. The Senate approved a motion to insist on its amendments which were non-concurred in by the House and sent the bill to a conference committee. Senators...
February 1, 2012
By a vote of 44-6, the Senate approved House Bill 169, which would increase the prize limits allowed for organizations conducting small games of chance. The legislation is similar to Senate Bill 444, which passed the Senate last year. HB 169 has slightly higher...
