March 24-26, 2025

SB 78 (PITTMAN) Designates a bridge on State Route 1053 in Banks Township, Indiana County as the Private First Class (PFC) John Tabacsko Memorial Bridge. 49-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 130 (MASTRIANO) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to require a licensed funeral director, funeral entity or cemetery company to notify the county director of veterans affairs of a deceased serviceperson legally residing in the county at the time of death, within 96 hours of receipt of the remains. Requires contact information of the county director of veterans affairs be provided to the serviceperson’s family. Only applies to a cemetery company providing interment for a deceased serviceperson’s cremated remains when neither a licensed funeral director nor a funeral entity provided goods or services. PASSED 49-0.

SB 146 (BAKER) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to establish the Veterans’ Trust Fund Board within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) with the purpose to increase donations and ensure effective distribution of the Veterans’ Trust Fund. Requires the Board to advise DMVA on Veterans’ Trust Fund grant priorities; review grant applications; raise public awareness of the Fund; recommend performance audit metrics for grant recipients; recommend legislative or policy changes to enhance the Fund; and review audits and reports with the DMVA and the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees. Requires all 12 board members to be veterans, their family members, or individuals who have extensive experience in serving veterans. Specifies board members to be the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans’ Affairs or designee; two individuals recommended by the Adjutant General and appointed by the Governor; two State Veterans’ Commission members recommended by the Adjutant General and appointed by the Governor; and one member from each of the PA VetConnect Program regions, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh recommended by the Adjutant General and appointed by the Governor. Requires the DMVA to submit a biannual performance audit that includes the impacts on veterans by grant recipients. PASSED 49-0.

Bill amended on Third Consideration

SB 202 (GEBHARD) Amends the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law by renaming it to the Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Transmission Business Licensing Law and requiring business entities that transmit virtual currency for a fee to be licensed as a Money Transmitter with the Department of Banking and Securities. Does not include parts of an affinity or reward program or currency used within an online game or platform and exempts virtual currency transmissions between business entities in connection with commercial contracts, if they do not involve transmissions for personal or household purposes. OVER AS AMENDED.

A00222 (GEBHARD) Exempts the use of a self-housed wallet, unless the individual with control of the controllable electronic records transmits virtual currency as part of a third-party service on behalf of another individual in exchange for a fee or other consideration associated with the transaction. ADOPTED 49-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 202 (GEBHARD) Amends the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law by renaming it to the Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Transmission Business Licensing Law and requiring business entities that transmit virtual currency for a fee to be licensed as a Money Transmitter with the Department of Banking and Securities. Does not include parts of an affinity or reward program or currency used within an online game or platform and exempts virtual currency transmissions between business entities in connection with commercial contracts if they do not involve transmissions for personal or household purposes and use of a self-housed wallet. PASSED 49-0.

SB 403 (YAW) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a continuous stream maintenance permit of up to 10 years for issuance to municipalities or PennDOT if there is no sustained history of significant permit violations and the applicant takes an affirmative duty over the permitted watercourses, water obstructions, appurtenant works and encroachments. Provides for an extension of up to 10 years for permittees with a 10-year operational permit without violations or with violations that were addressed within one year. PASSED 29-20.

SB 404 (YAW) Amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to provide for the issuance of emergency permits for stream reconstruction by county conservation districts (CCD) with an approved delegation agreement for the Water Obstruction and Encroachment Program when the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved amendments to methodologies for stream reconstruction submitted by a CCD in response to or in anticipation of significant flood events. PASSED 35-14.