Mar. 18, 2019 /
![Committee to Consider Two Human Services Bills]()
WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) will hold a voting meeting to consider House Resolution 147 (Gregory) directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of unused properties, buildings, and facilities owned by the Commonwealth and how to repurpose them for addiction treatment and recovery supports. This resolution was discussed at the committee hearing on March 12. Additionally, the committee will recommend House Bill 316 (Owlett) be re-referred to the House Children and Youth Committee. This legislation establishes a task force focused on the impact the opioid abuse epidemic is having on the children of the Commonwealth.
Mar. 15, 2019 /
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) has been recognized by the Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania organization for her support of legislation aimed at providing equal rights to crime victims by ensuring constitutional protections.
Mar. 15, 2019 /
![Cox, House Committee to Consider Bill to Inform Workers of Their Rights and Repeal Unconstitutional Law Related to Public Unions]()
WHAT: House Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) will host a committee meeting where members will consider House Bill 785, introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (York), that would provide non-union workers in public-sector union shops with information about their First Amendment rights and also repeal “fair share fee” provisions of Pennsylvania’s labor laws that were recently deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mar. 15, 2019 /
![O’Neal Appointed to Serve as Secretary of House Liquor Committee]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) has been appointed by Chairman Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana) to serve as secretary of the House Liquor Control Committee during the 2019-20 Legislative Session.
Mar. 14, 2019 /
![Ecker Introduces Bill to Strengthen Protections for Domestic Abuse Survivors Who Were Victims of Strangulation]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) to ensure that the offense of strangulation is as fully incorporated into our body of laws as other similarly violent and threatening offenses has formally been introduced.
Mar. 13, 2019 /
![House Committee Approves James’ Bill Sparked by Local Plant Closing]()
HARRISBURG – The state House Labor and Industry Committee today approved an unemployment compensation reform bill introduced by Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) that aims to help unemployed workers like those who lost their jobs at the Joy Global Inc. plant in Franklin in 2016.
Mar. 13, 2019 /
![House Committee Advances Boback Vehicle Entry Bill]()
HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee has unanimously passed legislation authored by state Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) that would provide civil immunity for damages resulting from forcibly entering a motor vehicle to rescue an individual.
Mar. 13, 2019 /
![Committee Approves Klunk Resolution to Allow 529 Savings for Workforce Development Expenses]()
HARRISBURG ¬– Recognizing that not all students go to a traditional four-year college, the House Finance Committee on Wednesday approved a resolution by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) urging the federal government to allow educational savings accounts to be used for workforce training expenses.
Mar. 13, 2019 /
![Simmons’ ‘Caylee’s Law’ Bill Receives Committee Approval]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation which would increase the penalties for the crime of concealing the death of a child, sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), was overwhelmingly approved by the House Judiciary Committee today and sent to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
HARRISBURG—The House Judiciary Committee has passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) to criminalize the act of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Committee Examines Heffley’s Legislation to Enhance Drug Recovery Treatment in Pennsylvania]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) that would help to enhance the recovery treatment for patients with a drug addiction was the focus of a hearing today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg conducted by the House Human Services Committee. Heffley is a member of the committee, which is chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks).
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![House Committee Approves Grove Bill to Create Statewide Commerce Court]()
HARRISBURG – To ensure Pennsylvania businesses are dealt with an effective and efficient manner during the legal process, the House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation by House Government Oversight Committee Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) to allow for statewide Commerce Courts.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today led a voting meeting of the committee in which several bills were approved to help further protect children in the Commonwealth.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Rigby’s Bill to Reconnect People with Their Stolen Property, Fight Drug Trade, Passes House]()
HARRISBURG – To provide more time to recover stolen property, the House approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria/Somerset) that would allow for greater tracking by law enforcement of stolen jewelry and other items containing precious metals, as well as fight the opioid epidemic as the sales often fund the purchase of illegal drugs.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Owlett’s Bill Dedicating Troy Area Veterans Memorial Bridge Gains House Approval]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) designating a bridge in Troy Borough as the Troy Area Veterans Memorial Bridge was approved by the House of Representatives today.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Kail Bill to Strengthen Penalties for Driving Without Proper Endorsement]()
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives Monday unanimously approved legislation, sponsored by Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), which would improve public safety by strengthening penalties for operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement or license.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Term Limits Plan Would Bring New Choices, New Voices to State Government, Say Lewis, Jones]()
HARRISBURG – Freshman state lawmakers Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin) and Mike Jones (R-York) today unveiled their proposal to enact term limits for members of the state House and Senate.
Mar. 12, 2019 /
![Lewis, Jones to Announce Key Legislative Reform Effort TODAY]()
WHAT: Freshman state Reps. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin) and Mike Jones (R-York), joined by several of their colleagues, will outline a proposal to phase in term limits in the state House and Senate.
Mar. 11, 2019 /
![Sonney Leads House Education Committee in Advancing Career and Technical Education Package]()
HARRISBURG – This week, the House Education Committee, led by Chairman Curt Sonney (R-Erie), approved a bipartisan package of bills aimed at improving career and technical education (CTE) in Pennsylvania. The bills now move to the full House for a vote.
Mar. 11, 2019 /
![House Committee Approves Grove Bill, Part of Comprehensive Package to Improve Career and Technical Education]()
HARRISURG – As part of the House Republican Caucus’ commitment to putting families first through increased job opportunities, the House Education Committee on Monday passed Government Oversight Committee Chairman Seth Grove’s (R-Dover) House Bill 334 to make it easier for schools to establish and renew vocational programs and for students to apply certain credits toward job-training programs.