The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 42, which would make it a crime to falsely claim a veteran status on one’s driver’s license application.

Under the so-called “stolen valor” bill, if one is caught misrepresenting themselves with this status, the offender can be fined $300, imprisoned for 30 to 90 days, or both.

The veteran designation driver status was first authorized in 2012, but many claim the self-certification application process makes it too easy for someone to falsely claim they are a veteran.

The bill was originally introduced last session as Senate Bill 1405. It unanimously passed the Senate, but stalled out in the House Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 42 now goes to the House.

 

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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 130, which would prohibit those who have been sentenced to community service to purchase “credit” toward their sentence with cash, gift cards, or any other form of remuneration.

Apart from concerns over the potential for official abuse, lawmakers said the practice benefits those who can afford gift cards over defendants of lesser means.

The bill was originally introduced as Senate Bill 1367 in the previous legislative session. It unanimously passed the Senate, but died in the House Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 130 is currently in that same committee.

 

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The Senate approved Senate Bill 266 by a vote of 48-0. The measure would authorize the Department of General Services to grant the Bear Franklin County Pennsylvania Joint Authority access to state property located on the Fort Loudon Historical Site for groundwater withdrawal.

The bill now goes to the House.

 

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