October 16-18, 2023

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 423 (J. WARD) Amends Title 71 (State Government) to permit State Employees’ Retirement System (“SERS”) annuitants to serve without suspending annuity payments as a part-time fire instructor at the Pennsylvania Fire Academy, the Department of Education, a State-owned education institution, a community college, or the Pennsylvania State University. PASSED 48-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

SB 897 (BAKER) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to increase required stopping distances when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop signal arm extended. Also increases penalties for overtaking a school bus. PASSED 49-0.

SB 941 (BROOKS) Amends the Administrative Code to require annual reporting by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to the General Assembly and grants regulatory flexibility in staffing addiction treatment programs during an opioid epidemic. PASSED 49-0.

Bill amended and voted on Supplemental

HB 1351 (FRANKEL) Amends the Human Service Code to further provide for the term length of board members of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority; reauthorize the Quality Care Assessment; rebase each nursing facility’s case-mix rate; and increase ambulance transportation rates. AMENDED AND PASSED 49-0.

          A02598 (PITTMAN) For Medicare fee schedule rates to be used for EMS reimbursement, DHS will apply one rate per service by using either the Medicare or Medicaid fee schedules, whichever is greater. AGREED TO.

Bills voted on Third Consideration

HB 404 (WATRO) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to exempt a deployed individual from forfeiting a license or certification issued through the Department of Health or the Department of Agriculture. Also exempts deployed individuals from continuing education requirements or in-service training requirements. PASSED 48-0.

SB 933 (MASTRIANO) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to make changes to the membership, meeting procedures, and duties of the State Veterans’ Homes Advisory Councils. PASSED 48-0.

SB 934 (LANGERHOLC) Amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to exempt the Turnpike Commission from local ordinances related to the planning, design and construction of linear highway projects and facilities. PASSED 43-5.

Executive Nominations
Pennsylvania Council on Aging – Mary Elizabeth O’Connor CONFIRMED 48-0.
Pennsylvania Council on Aging – Melanie R. Titzel CONFIRMED 48-0.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – Diana A. Bucco CONFIRMED 48-0.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – John Paone CONFIRMED 48-0.
Industrial Board – Thomas R. Harley CONFIRMED 48-0.
Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission – Steven J. Plaugher CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Employees’ Retirement Board – Donald E. Enders, Jr. CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Employees’ Retirement Board – J. David Henderson CONFIRMED 48-0.
State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons – William J. Heeney CONFIRMED 48-0.
Magisterial District Judge, Beaver County – Steve N. Necaster CONFIRMED 48-0.
Magisterial District Judge, Berks County – F. Richard Drumheller CONFIRMED 48-0.
Magisterial District Judge, Cumberland County – Bryan L. Ruth CONFIRMED 48-0.
Magisterial District Judge, Northumberland County – Rachel A. Wiest Benner CONFIRMED 48-0.
Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County – Damaris L. Garcia CONFIRMED 48-0.