July 8 – 11, 2024

Bills Voted on Concurrence
SB 1144 (LANGERHOLC) Designates multiple roads and bridges throughout the Commonwealth. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 298 (ROBINSON) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) allowing a vehicle with side mirrors to operate on roadways with its manufacturer-designed and manufacturer-installed doors removed or equipped with nonoriginal equipment doors. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

Bills Amended on Third Consideration
SB 698 (ROBINSON) Amends Title 34 (Game) authorizing the Pennsylvania Game Commission to waive licensing requirements for Purple Heart recipients or disabled veterans with service-connected disability of at least 30% who wish to participate in a hunting event on private land that is held for the primary purpose of providing enjoyment or rehabilitation to service members or veterans. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A05028 (ROTHMAN) Creates a tagging exemption for released birds killed on a regulated hunting grounds. AGREED TO.

SB 1232 (PENNYCUICK) Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow persons entitled to workers compensation benefits to request payment by direct deposit. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A05480 (LAUGHLIN) Allows individuals without an account with a financial institution capable of direct deposit to request payment via paper check rather than a payroll card. Requires the standard payment authorization form for use by all insurers and self-insured employers to include an acknowledgment to that a false statement or failure to disclose a material fact may result in criminal prosecution, disqualification of benefits, and repayment of money. Makes minor changes in notification requirements and technical changes throughout. Provides for online authorization forms versus valid online authorization forms and person entitled to compensation. Excludes money loaded onto debit card from being considered direct deposit. ADOPTED 47 – 2.

Bills Voted on Third Consideration
SB 698 (ROBINSON) Amends Title 34 (Game) authorizing the Pennsylvania Game Commission to waive licensing requirements for Purple Heart recipients or disabled veterans with service-connected disability of at least 30% who wish to participate in a hunting event on private land that is held for the primary purpose of providing enjoyment or rehabilitation to service members or veterans. Creates a tagging exemption for released birds killed on a regulated hunting grounds. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 1242 (J. WARD) Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) requiring the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs to implement an electronic or cloud-based continuing education tracking system for each licensing board or commission to which a licensee, registrant, certificate holder, or permit holder is obligated to provide proof of continuing education compliance. PASSED 46 – 3.

HB 1466 (BIZZARRO) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary and the Judicial Procedure) to provide for a cause of action based on protected public expression and to establish the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Provides a substantive right of civil immunity for a cause of action based on protected public expression if the court did not make a determination on that immunity. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2182 (MARSHALL) Amends Title 75 permitting highway construction and maintenance vehicles to be equipped with one or more flashing/revolving green lights in addition to flashing/revolving yellow lights. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1086 (TAKAC) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) authorizing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to share information from the Veterans Registry program with veteran and community outreach partners who participate in community outreach under the PA VETConnect Program, or any program administered by DMVA for outreach purposes. PASSED 48 – 1.

Bills Amended on Third Consideration
HB 1032 (FIEDLER) Enacts the Solar for Schools Act to establish the Solar for Schools Grant Program within DCED to award grants for up to 50% of costs related to purchasing and installing solar energy systems at school facilities. Eligible applicants include school districts; intermediate units; career and technical schools; charter schools; community colleges; Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology; and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. AMENDED AND RE-REFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.

     A05418 (LAUGHLIN) Requires a buyer of a school facility with a solar energy project funded under the program to reimburse DCED a percentage of the grant amount if the sale occurs within five to 20 years of the grant. Requires DCED to develop a quarterly financial risk and saving report to be posted on the Department of Education’s website. ADOPTED 44 – 5.

SB 1232 (PENNYCUICK) Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow persons entitled to workers compensation benefits to request payment by direct deposit. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A05501 (PITTMAN) Technical amendment. AGREED TO.

HB 1540 (PARKER) Amends the Public School Code to clarify membership terms and establish a process for filling vacancies for the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A05463 (K. WARD) Changes the appointment process for members of the Commission to authorize appointments made by the President pro tempore and Minority Leader of the Senate as well as the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. AGREED TO.

Bills Amended on Second Consideration
HB 1993 (BENHAM) Amends the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act providing oversight of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contracts with pharmacies, prohibit certain PBM and health benefit plan practices, and establish pharmacy network adequacy requirements. Prohibits spread pricing, patient steering, and clawbacks. Requires a contract between the PBM and a pharmacy regarding the disclosure of any additional fees in writing 30 days prior to initiation of the additional fees. Excludes conduct of a PBM in connection with a contract with a self-funded health plan or exempted health plan under federal requirements for protection of employee benefit rights and coverage. AMENDED AND RE-REFER TO APPROPRIATIONS.

     A05494 (J. WARD) Amends the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to regulate PBM business activities and codifies services currently      provided by pharmacists pursuant to federal authority. ADOPTED 49 – 0.

HB 2216 (BRIGGS) Omnibus land conveyance bill. OVER AS AMENDED.

     A05491 (PITTMAN) Provides for four land conveyances in Springettesbury Township (York County), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Johnstown. ADOPTED 48– 1.

Bills voted on Third Consideration
SB 1160 (MASTRIANO) Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) to designate March 29th as Vietnam War Veterans Day. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 1232 (PENNYCUICK) Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow persons entitled to workers compensation benefits to request payment by direct deposit. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 1274 (ROBINSON) Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act to modernize the law. Provides situations in which a person may not be certified but is able to provide services for emergency situations. Removes the 20-hour requirement of professional development for renewals and requires the Department of Labor and Industry to review the requirements of all alternative pathway programs annually and have the list of approved programs published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 2216 (BRIGGS) Omnibus land conveyance bill. PASSED 47 – 2.

HB 1032 (FIEDLER) Enacts the Solar for Schools Act to establish the Solar for Schools Grant Program within DCED to award grants for up to 50% of costs related to purchasing and installing solar energy systems at school facilities. Eligible applicants include school districts; intermediate units; career and technical schools; charter schools; community colleges; Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology; and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Requires a buyer of a school facility with a solar energy project funded under the program to reimburse DCED a percentage of the grant amount if the sale occurs within five to 20 years of the grant. Requires DCED to develop a quarterly financial risk and saving report to be posted on the Department of Education’s website. PASSED 42 – 7.

HB 1993 (BENHAM) Amends the Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act providing oversight of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contracts with pharmacies, prohibiting certain PBM and health benefit plan practices, and establishing pharmacy network adequacy requirements. Prohibits spread pricing, patient steering, and clawbacks. Requires a contract between the PBM and a pharmacy regarding the disclosure of any additional fees in writing 30 days prior to initiation of the additional fees. Excludes conduct of a PBM in connection with a contract with a self-funded health plan or exempted health plan under federal requirements for protection of employee benefit rights and coverage. PASSED 48 – 1.

Bill Voted on Concurrence
SB 447 (MASTRIANO) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to establish the PA VetConnect Program. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

Bill Amended on Third Consideration
HB 1633 (FRANKEL) Establishes the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act voiding any noncompete covenant between an employer and a health care practitioner that is entered into or amended after enactment or upon renewal of a health care practitioner’s license, registration, or certification. Provides an exception for noncompete covenants of no more than two years that are restricted to less than a 45-mile radius for health care practitioners employed in a facility or office located in counties of the sixth, seventh, or eighth class. Within 90 days of the departure of a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, the employer must notify patients seen by them in the past year of the departure. AMENDED AND RE-REFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.

     A05519 (BROOKS) Makes technical changes and specifies employers must provide notification of the departure of a health care practitioner to patients of       that health care practitioner who have had an ongoing outpatient relationship of 2 or more years. AGREED TO.

Bills voted on Third Consideration
HB 327 (MAKO) Amends the Barbers’ License Law to reduce and training requirements for a barber-teacher applicant from 23 to 18 years of age and 1250 to 500 hours of supervised training, provided these hours are in addition to the hours required to become a licensed barber and are limited to teaching methods. Allows for an individual to hold both a cosmetology and barber license to obtain a barber-teacher license. Extends reciprocal licensure agreements between states to include barber-teachers and permits a barber-teacher to supervise a temporary licensee while the temporary licensee is waiting to take the barber’s examination. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 663 (MCNEIL) Amends the Public School Code requiring certain conditions to be met before a student can be removed from a school if it is found that either the parent, guardian, or other individual who has taken responsibility for the child is not a resident of the school district. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 1026 (MILLER) Amends Act 173 of 1975 permitting employers to pay all wages, salaries and commissions by either direct deposit to an account in a financial institution or payroll card account and eliminate payment of wages by cash or check if the employer provides the employee with proper notice and meets certain requirements. PASSED 44 – 5.

HB 1540 (PARKER) Amends the Public School Code to clarify membership terms and establish a process for filling vacancies for the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1853 (SHUSTERMAN) Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require the Department of Health to hold an annual meeting of long-term care nursing facilities at a regional field office or virtually to receive input regarding departmental surveys. Exempts information shared during the meetings from being discoverable or used as a basis for either a civil or criminal action or administrative liability under certain circumstances. Exempts information, data, or records obtained by the department from the Right-to-Know Law. PASSED 47 – 2.

HB 1889 (MALAGARI) Amends Title 3 (Agriculture) to allow electronic delivery of receipts for light fuel oil deliveries. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 115 (CIRESI) Amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) to expand the scope of family members who may make a claim on unclaimed property that is $11,000 or less to include a decedent’s issue, parents, siblings, and grandparents. PASSED 49 – 0.

SB 1118 (STEFANO) Amends Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75 (Vehicles) allowing magisterial district judges to place an individual in a community service program as an alternative in restoring suspended operating privilege. PASSED 49 – 0.

HB 1633 (FRANKEL) Establishes the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act voiding any noncompete covenant between an employer and a health care practitioner that is entered into or amended after enactment or upon renewal of a health care practitioner’s license, registration, or certification. Provides an exception for noncompete covenants of no more than two years that are restricted to less than a 45-mile radius for health care practitioners employed in a facility or office located in counties of the sixth, seventh, or eighth class. Within 90 days of the departure of a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, the employer must notify patients seen by them in the past year of the departure. PASSED 48 – 1.

HB 897 (KINKEAD) Amends the Public School Code providing for the transfer of credits from a community college to a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institution; establishing accountability and transparency in higher education costs; establishing the Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program; and creating the State Board of Higher Education. PASSED 46 – 3.

HB 2310 (TAKAC) Omnibus Fiscal Code amendments for FY 2024-2025. PASSED 45 – 4.

Bills Voted on Concurrence
SB 656 (ROTHMAN) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to impose a road user charge on owners of Electric Vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid EVs up to 14,000 pounds. Eliminates the alternative fuels tax for residential EV charging but continues to impose it on EV charging stations for public use. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 44 – 5.

SB 1246 (KEARNEY) Amends Title 74 (Transportation) to codify the Department of Transportation’s State Safety Oversight Office for rail transit and busway transportation systems and to authorize a risk-based inspection program. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48 – 1.

SB 654 (BARTOLOTTA) Omnibus Tax Reform Code amendments for FY 2024-2025. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS, AS FURTHER AMENDED BY THE SENATE 43 – 6.

SB 1009 (MARTIN) Makes appropriations for the operations of the Public Utility Commission for FY 2024-2025. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48 – 1.

SB 24 (DISANTO) Amends the Fiscal Code to establish the Pennsylvania Money Match Program which allows the State Treasurer to automatically return unclaimed property to verified sole owners of such property when the value or proceeds thereof is less than $100. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 688 (REGAN) Amends the Liquor Code allow for spirit based ready to drink cocktails to be sold for off premise
consumption by retail businesses that apply and receive a special permit. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 32 – 17.

SB 1150 (MARTIN) Amends the Public School Code to establish the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Grant Program and the Grow PA Scholarship Program; increases the maximum total household income to $175,000 and reduces the required grade point average to 2.5 for the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship program; and modifies provisions related to compensation for a college student athlete’s name, image and likeness. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 49 – 0.

SB 1154 (AUMENT) Establishes the Performance-based Funding Council under the State Board for Higher Education for the purpose of developing a new process to distribute funding to State-related universities utilizing performance-based metrics. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 38 – 11.

SB 1001 (MARTIN) Provides for the General Appropriation Act for FY 2024-2025. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 44 – 5.

SB 700 (BROOKS) Amends the Public School Code by providing several policy changes as well as funding distributions related to FY 2024-2025 budget. CONCURREED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 42 – 7.

SB 831 (YAW) Creates the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act providing for the capture and geologic storage of carbon dioxide in subsurface pore space. Stipulates that the ownership of all pore space in all strata below the surface lands and waters of the Commonwealth are vested in the owner of the surface above the pore space. Also establishes the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fund. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 37 – 12.