November 13, 2024

Bills voted on Third Consideration

HB 71 (KERWIN) Creates a freestanding act authorizing the establishment of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the grounds of the Pennsylvania State Capitol to honor those who have lost a family member through active-duty military service. Directs DGS to work with the MI Charitable Foundation which has accepted in perpetuity responsibility for, and costs associated with, the monument’s preparation, construction, and maintenance. PASSED 48-0.

HB 1210 (SAPPEY) Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) allowing a court to grant in any Protection From Abuse (PFA) order temporary ownership rights over a companion animal and direct the defendant to refrain from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring, or relocating the companion animal or contacting or entering the property of any person sheltering the companion animal. Also permits a final order or agreement to direct a defendant to refrain from abusing, harassing, stalking, threatening, or threatening to use physical force against a companion animal. PASSED 47-1.

HB 1304 (SOLOMON) Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to provide for the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911) which enables Public Safety Answering Points to receive calls for emergency assistance by voice, text, video, internet protocol or other technology. Requires counties to develop, publish, maintain, and provide mapping information necessary for NG911, utilize NG911 call delivery services procured by PEMA, and maintain compliance with cybersecurity standards published by PEMA. Adds a representative of the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association to the 911 Advisory Board. PASSED 48-0.

HB 1850 (SMITH-WADE-EL) Amends the Second Class Township Code clarifying a township only needs to advertise 30 days prior to an initial vote to replace an elected auditor with a certified public accountant (CPA) or CPA firm and 30 days prior to replacing an appointed CPA or CPA firm with elected auditors. PASSED 48-0.

HB 2426 (GALLAGHER) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to prohibit a person from possessing, operating a motor vehicle with, purchasing, installing, possessing for the purpose of installing, manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, or otherwise distributing a registration plate flipping device. Creates a summary offense for a violation and, upon conviction, imposes a fine of $2,000. PASSED 48-0.

Bill amended and voted on Third Consideration

HB 2177 (MULLINS) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) repealing the schedule that restricted motorcycle safety inspections to only March through October to allow them in any month of the year. Stipulates a safety inspection sticker may not be issued for more than 15 months past the date of inspection. AMENDED AND PASSED 48-0.

A06071 (PITTMAN) Makes the electric vehicle road charge applicable on or after April 1, 2025, excluding the payment plan enrollment option which will be applicable on or after July 17, 2026. AGREED TO.

Bill voted on Concurrence

SB 155 (BROOKS) Amends the Automobile Lemon Law to include motorcycles except dual sport motorcycles driven off road. requires that the repair obligations are only triggered if the nonconformity in the motorcycle occurs within one year following delivery of the motorcycle to the purchaser or within the warranty period, whichever is earlier. Excludes the period of time a motorcycle is stored at a manufacturer’s authorized service and repair facility from the 30 day out-of-service window, even if the purchaser waives the 30-day period and enters into a separate storage contract or the repairs are made while in storage. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

Executive Nominations

State Board of Accountancy, Michael R. Gaizick CONFIRMED 48-0.
Architects Licensure Board, William J. Bates CONFIRMED 48-0.
Board of Finance and Revenue, Paul J. Gitnik CONFIRMED 48-0.
Board of Finance and Revenue, David R. Kraus CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Board of Nursing, Brandy L. Hershberger CONFIRMED 48-0.
Pennsylvania Parole Board, Christian M. Stephens CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Board of Physical Therapy, Craig E. Ruby CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, Lisa A. Peterson CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Employees’ Retirement Board, John D. Galuska CONFIRMED 48-0.