SB 352, PN 1607 (J. Ward) –This legislation establishes the Tax Exemption and Mixed-Use Incentive Program Act. This program would allow local taxing authorities to provide for tax exemption incentives for improvements and new construction in deteriorated areas of communities including industrial, commercial, business and residential properties. The bill would also allow for mixed-use housing and development in accordance with zoning ordinances within designated areas. Senate concurred in House amendments. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

SB 934, PN 1720 (Laughlin) – This bill would provide for placement of smoke detectors on each floor and the basement of family child care homes and require the PA Department of Human Services to include such smoke detectors in its inspections. Senate concurred in House amendments. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

SB 273, PN 224 (J. Ward) – The bill amends the Community-Based Health Care Act by removing the cap on funds which can be obtained by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

HB 632, PN 3656 (Rothman) – An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for odometer disclosure requirements. Senator K. Ward offered amendment A05507 which makes an additional exception to the 90 day deadline for authorization to make an application for title. The exception is for limited power of attorney for the sale, purchase or transfer of a manufactured home may be extended if the 90th day falls during a disaster declaration. This change shall take effect immediately. Authorizes licensed dealers to secure power of attorney to transfer a vehicle when the manufacturer certificate f or a new vehicle is in the possession of a lienholder. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote and the bill went over in its order.

HB 943, PN 3655 (Gaydos) – The bill creates the Consumer Prescription Drug Pricing and Freedom Disclosure Act. Senator J. Ward offered amendment A06471 which makes technical changes to the reference of “pharmacy benefits management” throughout, and clarifies the following definitions to make the bill consistent with the other PBM bills reported from the Senate Health & Human Services Committee last week:

  • Clarifies “pharmacy benefits manager” to exclude entities holding licenses from the Insurance Department with accident and health authority to issue health insurance policies and governed under the Insurance Company Law, the Health Maintenance Organization Act or Title 40’s hospital plan corporations and professional health services plan corporations provisions.
  • Provides a technical correction to “pharmacy services administration organization”.

The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote and the bill went over in its order.

SB 987, PN 1450 (Hutchinson) – An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Commonwealth services, further providing for definitions and for State Fire Commissioner, providing for curriculum and training, further providing for Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and for Fire Safety Advisory Committee. Senator Hutchinson offered amendment A06287 which recasts the Governor’s appointees to the ten firefighter members of the State Fire Advisory Board as follows: Requires one appointee to be a designee of the President of the International Association of Firefighters in a fire company from a city of the first, second or third class with a population of at least 115,000. When reappointing a subsequent person under this, the person should be from a different class city. One member shall be a certified fire service instructor. The ten members or this board shall also be appointed from the 9 regions recognized by PEMA. The amendment passed by a vote of 29-21 and the bill went over in its order.

SB 1193, PN 1756 (Browne) – Updates the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Account. A vote of 50-0 was recorded.

SB 1199, PN 1773 (Aument) –An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in highly automated vehicles, further providing for Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee and providing for personal delivery devices. Senator Aument offered amendment A06482 which authorizes local authorities, by ordinance and in consultation with a business entity operating a PDD, to regulate use of PDD’s in pedestrian areas in the municipality in addition to roadways. However, local regulation of a PDD must be consistent with this act. The amendment extends the need for liability insurance for operation of a PDD to include all operation and not limited to “lawful operation.” The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 42-8 and the bill went over in its order.

HB 256, PN 4021 (Metzgar) – Clarifies that assault of a prisoner by an inmate is a felony of the second degree. Senator Regan offered amendment A06480 which increases the grade of the offense of assault by a prisoner to a felony of the first degree when the offense is committed against any local or county detention facility or any state correctional institution with a deadly weapon or instrument or a means likely to produce serious bodily injury. The current offense will be graded as a felony of the 2d when committee against one of the officers listed that produces bodily injury or when committed against another person that results in serious bodily injury . The amendment was approved by a vote of 36-14 and the bill was re-referred to the Appropriations committee.

SB 395, PN 376 (Brooks) – This bill requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed at all Commonwealth roadside rest areas and welcome centers. Senator Brooks offered amendment A06491 which provides that if the display of the POW-MIA flag can not be accommodated at existing flag poles for the commonwealth locations, the Turnpike and DOT must submit compliance or develop a plan to display such flags no later than December 31, 2021 and submit to the House and Senate State Government and Transportation Committees. Senator Brooks also offered amendment A06402 which adds a provision to the bill requiring the Governor to permit the display of the Honor and Remember flag from flagpoles of public buildings and grounds. Both amendments were agreed to by voice vote and the bill went over in its order.