October 24 – 28, 2022

Bills voted on Third Consideration:

HB 875 (IRVIN): Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) to require a property order accompanying a decree of divorce or annulment to include a provision informing the parties as to the effect of the divorce on certain contractual beneficiary designations. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2209 (MAJOR): Amends Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) to allow for a quorum to be created when a land bank board meeting is conducted through an internet platform. The quorum can be established with a virtual presence of members or a combination of physical and virtual presence. Also provides for the use of land banks to assist in housing for homeless individuals. PASSED 46-2.

HB 2210 (PENNYCUICK): Amends the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act to add landbanks to the list of entities eligible to be conservators. PASSED 42-6.

HB 2538 (LEWIS DELROSSO): Amends the State Lottery Law to extend the Pennsylvania Lottery’s 20% minimum rate of return for an additional five fiscal years. PASSED 48-0.

HB 2637 (BENNINGHOFF): An act making omnibus bridge and highway designations. PASSED 48-0.

SB1321 (BAKER): Amends the Tax Reform Code to conform state law to federal law with regard to which party to a trust is obligated to pay the personal income tax owed. PASSED 49-0.

Bills amended on Third Consideration and voted on Supplemental:

HB 1795 (R.BROWN): Amends Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) to provide for new voting standards for board elections and bylaw changes, provisions for virtual and recorded meetings, and voting and proxies for condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities. PASSED AS AMENDED 40-8.
A05788 (PITTMAN): Clean-up and technical changes. AGREED TO.

Bill amended on Second Consideration:

HB 1988 (OWLETT): Amends Title 42 (Judicial Code) and Title 53 (Municipalities) to allow the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) to certify campus police officers serving under the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and to provide automatic certification to school police officers. AMENDED AND RE-REFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
A05785 (REGAN): Removes the word “school” to clarify a reference to police officers, not school police officers, for certification purposes. AGREED TO.

Bills voted on Supplemental:

HB 2527 (QUINN): Amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to replace the term “naloxone” with the defined term “opioid antagonist.” PASSED 48-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration:

HB 103 (SCHMIDT): Amends the Crimes Code by making it a second degree felony to intentional or knowingly cause or attempt to cause a law enforcement officer to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, saliva, urine or feces by throwing, tossing, spitting or expelling such fluid or material. If at the time of the offense the person knew or had reason to know that the fluid or material was infected by a communicable virus, and the disease is communicable to the law enforcement officer by the method used or attempted. PASSED 43-6.
HB 324 (WHITE): Amends the First Class City Business Reform Act to increase the authorized net operating loss (NOL) carry-forward period for businesses with certain tax liabilities in the City of Philadelphia from three years to 20 years. PASSED 49-0.

HB 987 (HENNESSEY): Amends the Vehicle Code to reinstate the operative privilege for individuals who have lost their
driver’s licenses for non-traffic violations. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1546 (FARRY): Amends the Crimes Code to create the offense of endangerment of public official by making it a first degree misdemeanor to intentionally or knowingly communicate, or publish through social media, restricted personal information of a public safety official or family or household member. Elevates the offense to a second degree felony if there is bodily harm to the public safety official or their family member PASSED 47-2.

HB 2525 (KAUFER): Amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to create a procedure by which a person may obtain criminal history investigative information. PASSED 48-1.

SB 822 (PHILLIPS-HILL): Establishes the Museum Unclaimed Loaned Property Act to provide rules for the management, handling and disposition of property loaned to museums. PASSED 49-0.

Resolution adopted on Third Consideration:

SR352 (BROOKS): Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study and issue a report on the specific data, calculations, and mechanisms that the Department of Human Services utilizes to determine the amount of Medical Assistance capitation funding that is ultimately paid to drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers within this Commonwealth. ADOPTED 49-0.

Bills amended on Third Consideration and voted on Supplemental:

HB 140 (MALONEY): Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to update vehicle parking regulations to permit the construction of protected pedalcycle lanes and pedestrian plazas. Before any municipality may design or construct a protected plaza or pedalcycle lane, PENNDOT must certify it is complaint and enforcing Title 75 provisions. Additionally for Philadelphia, the Attorney General must appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and institute criminal charges for criminal offenses occurring within SEPTA. PASSED AS AMENDED 28-21.

A05837 (LANGERHOLC): Removes provisions relating to the appointment of a special prosecutor by the Attorney General and instead establishes the Special Prosecutor Panel under the Pennsylvania Courts to appoint any special prosecutor to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for criminal offenses occurring within SEPTA. ADOPTED 28-21.

Bills voted on Concurrence on Supplemental

SB 736 (LANGERHOLC): Amends the Vehicle Code to allow a passenger car, truck or truck tractor bearing farm vehicle plates to provide for the buying or selling of agricultural commodities or supplies to a place of residence. Repeals the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act (Act 15 of 1998), which regulates fuel retail stations, and places the language within the Vehicle Code. Further provides for the allowable maximum distance for a master control emergency shut-off device to the farthest fuel-dispensing device is increased from 200 feet to 350 feet. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 33-16.

Bills voted on Supplemental

HB 1731 (MIZGORSKI): Establishes the Greater Father Involvement Act and requires the Joint State Government Commission to create an advisory committee to research best practices, recommend policy, and promote greater involvement by fathers across the Commonwealth. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1829 (ECKER): Amends the Child Labor Act to eliminate the requirement that the minor appear in-person to sign the permit and be examined by the issuing officer. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1988 (OWLETT): Amends Title 42 (Judicial Code) and Title 53 (Municipalities) to allow the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) to certify campus police officers serving under the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and to provide automatic certification to school police officers. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2079 (DELOZIER): Amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to allow for the use of refrigerants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PASSED 49-0.

HB 2458 (WHITE): Creates the Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force Act and establishes a task force to study making the Port of Philadelphia an export terminal for liquified natural gas (LNG). PASSED 37-12.

HB 2633 (TOPPER): Amends Title 5 (Athletics) by repealing the current Uniform Athlete Agents Act and replaces it with the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act and incorporates the college student athlete compensation related to name, image or likeness (NIL) provision from the Public School Code. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2800 (HICKERNELL): Amends the Medical Practice Act to provide for examination and certification of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and orthotic fitters. PASSED 49-0.

Bills amended on Third Consideration

HB 397 (OWLETT): Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) permitting counties, municipalities, and school districts to enact tax credits for first responders via resolutions, in addition to ordinances. OVER AS AMENDED.

A05826 (STEFANO): Establishes additional fire/EMS capital grant programs; extends the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund; extends the deadline for the State Fire Advisory Board’s Report on State Fire Relief Funding Formula; makes changes to the Fire and EMS Grant Program; establishes Fireworks Safety Education Program with the OFSC; requires establishment of a Fire Course Registry; distributes funding to the State Fire Commissioner for online fire training; establishes a Tuition & Loan Assistance Program for Active Volunteer Fire & EMS; and establishes a program for recruitment, training, and retention. All while maintaining the underlying provisions of the bill. AGREED TO.

A05715 (COMITTA): Adds the Pollinator Conservation Registration Plate to the list of special motor vehicle registrations plates and creates a Pollinator Habitat Program Fund. AGREED TO.

A05855 (ROBINSON): An omnibus amendment which creates an Afghanistan and Iraq veterans plate; authorizes registration plate frames (and bans tinted plate covers); requires the Turnpike Commission to provide notice for v-toll violations, generate an annual report on toll revenue, conduct a study on third-party toll collection and strengthen penalties for scofflaws; and provides for $5 contributions when renewing online a driver’s license, photo ID or vehicle registration for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. ADOPTED 46-3.

HB 1630 (FRITZ): Amends the Human Services Code to allow the Department of the Auditor General to conduct full- scale audits and reviews of Pharmacy Benefit Mangers (PBMs) that subcontract with Medical Assistance Managed Care Organizations (MA-MCOs). OVER AS AMENDED AND REREFERRED TO APPROPRIATIONS.
A05829 (BROOKS): Revises the definition of “pharmacy benefit manager” to align with the
definition in the Human Services Code; and repeals various regulations in order to make several Medicaid- related COVID-19 waiver flexibilities permanent. AGREED TO.

SB 1317 (BROWNE): Amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law by creating the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee and the Indigent Defense Grant Program. OVER AS AMENDED.
A05695 (BROWNE): Adds the Executive Director of the Juvenile Court Judges Commission and an additional Public Defender from a 5th, 6th 7th or 8th class county to the Committee; clarifies the judge appointments may also include juvenile court judges; and makes other technical changes. AGREED TO.

Bills voted on Concurrence:

SB 1123 (MASTRIANO): Amends the Vehicle Code to allow tow trucks to be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving blue lights in addition to flashing or revolving yellow and white lights. CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 50-0.

Bills voted on Third Consideration:

SB 358 (SCHWANK): Amends the Maternal Mortality Review Act to add “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of
reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. PASSED 50-0.

HB 365 (HARKINS): Amends the Public School Code to replace and remove antiquated language with current, more appropriate terms. PASSED 50-0.

SB 1317 (BROWNE): Amends the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Law by creating the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee and the Indigent Defense Grant Program; adds the Executive Director of the Juvenile Court Judges Commission and an additional Public Defender from a 5th, 6th 7th or 8th class county to the Committee; clarifies the judge appointments may also include juvenile court judges; and makes other technical changes. PASSED 50-0.

HB 1393 (STRUZZI): Amends the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance Act updating the definition of drug paraphernalia to expressly exclude any testing product utilized in determining whether a controlled substance contains chemicals, toxic substances, or hazardous chemicals in quantities which can cause physical harm or death, which includes, but is not limited to, fentanyl strips. PASSED 50-0.

HB 1486 (O’NEAL): Amends the Vehicle Code to create a Blue Star Family registration plate; adds the Pollinator Conservation Registration Plate to the list of special motor vehicle registrations plates; creates a Pollinator Habitat Program Fund; and includes other omnibus amendments. PASSED 50-0.

PASSED 50-0.

HB 1929 (CAUSER): Amends the Crimes Code by removing certain cutting instruments which feature a blade that can be exposed in an automatic way by a switch, push, or spring mechanism from the definition of offensive weapons. PASSED 50-0.

HB 1958 (HENNESSEY): Amends Title 75 (Vehicle Code) to require PennDOT to create a driver improvement program and establish requirements for certain individuals to take driver improvement program courses. PASSED 50-0.

HB 2361 (PENNYCUICK): Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) by designating June 12th of each year as Women Veterans Day. PASSED 50-0.

HB 2586 (BOBACK): Amends Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) by designating March 29th of each year as Tuskegee Airman Commemoration Day. PASSED 50-0.

Bills amended on Third Consideration and voted on Supplemental

HB 220 (RADER): Amends the Administrative Code to prohibit drug and alcohol treatment facilities from denying treatment to individuals solely on the basis of a negative drug test. PASSED AS AMENDED 48-0.
A05660 (BROWNE): Establishes the Suicide and Overdose Death Review Act where counties may create a suicide death review team, an overdose death review team or both for purposes of collecting and examining information and records concerning suicide or overdose fatalities to improve community resources and systems of care to reduce suicide or overdose fatalities. ADOPTED 50-0.

HB 2373 (DIAMOND): Amends the Administrative Code to delegate the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) the authority to determine the use of the former Lieutenant Governor’s mansion while requiring equivalent space be dedicated to supporting veterans programs and National Guard families. PASSED AS AMENDED 48-0.
A05863 (K. WARD): Requires the DMVA to submit notice to the General Assembly when they determine the use
for the former Lieutenant Governor’s Mansion. ADOPTED 50-0.

HB 2528 (STRUZZI): Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to award oil and gas well plugging contracts to eligible Pennsylvania companies before considering out of state companies. PASSED AS AMENDED 47-2.
A05858 (YAW): Will not prohibit the department from accepting or awarding bids for contracts for plugging oil or gas wells from companies which are not Pennsylvania companies if no other law, regulation or Executive Order would prevent the company which is not a Pennsylvania company from bidding. ADOPTED 47-3.

Bills voted on Supplemental

HB 397 (OWLETT): Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) by providing for a technical fix to existing law to provide for uniformity and maintaining the authorization required for the receipt of combined grants to two or more Fire and EMS companies that have merged into one and establishes enabling provisions for various and new and existing programs and initiatives, such as the tuition and loan assistance program and EMS pilot program. PASSED 49-0.

HB 668 (JAMES): Amends the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act to add a member from the coal refuse energy and reclamation industry to the Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1328 (GREINER): Amends the CPA Law to provide for a code of conduct, educational requirements, and updates to the peer review process. PASSED 49-0.

HB 1630 (FRITZ): Amends the Human Services Code to add a new section relating to Pharmacy Benefits Manager Audit and Obligations; revises the definition of “pharmacy benefit manager” to align with the definition in the Human Services Code; and repeals various regulations in order to make several Medicaid-related COVID-19 waiver flexibilities permanent. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2086 (KERWIN): Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) by making permanent the waiver permitting members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to operate State-owned vehicles in response to an emergency. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2214 (KLUNK): Amends Title 67 (Public Welfare) to render certain indemnification clauses unenforceable in government contracts between county children and youth agencies, and entities that provide children and youth services. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2293 (BONNER): Amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require the registration of contract health care services agencies that provide temporary nurse services to certain health care facilities. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2447 (BENNINGHOFF): An act providing for the divestiture of of direct and indirect holdings and alternative investments of Russian and Belarusian investments to the extent permitted under federal law and prohibits acquiring Russian and Belarusian investments in the future. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2648 (LAWRENCE): Amends the Administrative Code to requiring the Inspector General to investigate fraud associated with unemployment compensation. PASSED 41-8.

HB 1059 (HICKERNELL): Amends the Tax Reform Code to increase the threshold requirement for the declaration of estimated tax. PASSED 41-8.

HB 2398 (OBERLANDER): Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to authorize Highly Automated Vehicles (HAV) with or without a driver and create a penalty for theft of catalytic converters. PASSED 29-20.

HB 284 (METCALFE): Amends Title 37 (Historical and Museums) to modernize the History Code in administration of the State Archives and archival records, and removes from the law, references to properties that the PHMC no longer maintains. PASSED 48-1.

HB 1103 (GILLESPIE): Amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to enact at new $20 or 20% per month late fee on occupants who fail to make timely payments on storage units and allows online advertisements of pending storage unit sales, in addition to newspaper advertising. PASSED 49-0.

HB 2057 (ROAE): Amends Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) to modernize corporation laws and related provisions. PASSED 49-0.

Bills voted on Concurrence on Supplemental

SB 696 (LAUGHLIN): Amends the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act with substantial changes specific to state agencies, state agency contractors, counties, public schools, and municipalities regarding their notification requirements should a breach of the system occur. CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 806 (YAW): Amends the Oil and Gas Lease Act to increase the amount of payment information an unconventional operator must provide to a royalty owner and provides timelines for payments. CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 1083 (BAKER): Amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to allow certain businesses that were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic to retain their experience rating for UC tax purposes, provide eligibility to spouses of active-duty members of the Armed Forces in certain circumstances, and make technical changes to the Shared-Work program.

CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 1152 (MASTRIANO): Creates the Overdose Mapping System Act to institute a database that electronically tracks known or suspected overdoses in this Commonwealth. CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 1194 (MENSCH): Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) to establish the Military College Educational Assistance Program.

CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 1208 (BROWNE): Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) to provide for the referral of delinquent accounts to collection agencies.

CONCURRED ON HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 225 (PHILLIPS-HILL): Amends the Insurance Company Law to provide standards for the prior authorization of health care services and step therapy protocols. Includes all health insurers plus the state’s Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans to establish uniform standards, improved transparency of medical policies, clinical review criteria, and prohibits insurers or MA or CHIP managed care plans form using any financial incentive that compensates a health care provider for less than appropriate care. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 48-0.

SB 522 (BAKER): An act known as the Childhood Blood Lead Test Act which provides for blood lead assessment and testing of certain children and pregnant women, tasks the Department of Health with conducting a public information campaign and requires certain health insurance policies to provide coverage for blood lead tests. CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS 30-18.

Executive Nominations

Various executive nominations including appointments to the State Board of Education, Environmental Hearing Board, Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Confirmed 46- 2.