Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

 April 24, 2009

PASSED THE HOUSE

House passes Matzie bill to expand COBRA health coverage

The House this week passed legislation (H.B. 1089) introduced by state Rep. Robert F. Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, that would make COBRA health insurance coverage available to Pennsylvania businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Matzie's bill is part of the House Democratic Caucus' Health PAct, a package of bills unveiled by House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, that focuses on providing and enhancing access to basic health care for the state's most vulnerable citizens.  

"My legislation would make group-rated health insurance available to small employers and former employees of small businesses," Matzie said. "I know small businesses are essential to Pennsylvania's economy and many are being hit hard by the current economic crisis. I am pleased that the House has recognized the importance of my bill and passed it."

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Hanna bill to triple fine for timber theft passes House

The state House has passed legislation authored by state Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, that would strengthen the penalty for timber theft. Hanna's bill, H.B. 481, would increase the fine for timber theft to six times the value of the timber taken. Currently, the fine is two times the timber's value.

"Pennsylvania has some of the most valuable hardwood in the country," Hanna said. "Private residents, state forests and logging contractors lose thousands of dollars' worth of timber each time their trees are illegally harvested. When people steal timber, they interfere with harvesting practices that are designed to minimize the environmental impact. Timber theft isn't just illegal -- it's environmentally irresponsible."

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House passes Haluska bill repealing law enforcement powers for Fish & Boat commissioners

The state House of Representatives has passed legislation (H.B. 320) introduced by Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria, that would repeal a portion of Pennsylvania law that gives state Fish and Boat commissioners law enforcement powers. Presently, members of the board of commissioners of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission receive a badge and the powers of waterways conservation officers when they are sworn in. However, Haluska said, unlike waterways conservation officers, commissioners are not required to receive the training or testing to go with that badge.

"While Pennsylvania's Fish and Boat commissioners are certainly well informed on the subjects of conservation, restoration, fishing and boating, they are not trained law enforcement officers or knowledgeable in criminal law procedures," Haluska said. "Giving them law enforcement powers not only is unnecessary, but frankly, puts the public at risk and presents a potential liability problem for the Fish and Boat Commission and the state's taxpayers."

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Daley's mentored hunting legislation passes House

The state House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure (H.B. 281) this week introduced by state Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Washington/Fayette, that would permit the transfer of an antlerless tag from a licensed doe hunter to a young participant in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. Approved by the legislature in 2006, the Mentored Youth Hunting Program allows a licensed hunter to serve as a one-on-one teacher to a young, unlicensed, future hunter, introducing young boys and girls to hunting, many for the very first time. These mentors show their students around the woods, teaching them about the hunt and how to take certain game animals responsibly. Mentored youth hunting has been a great success in Pennsylvania, Daley said, growing in participation while it lays the foundation for the future of the sport.

"With this expansion of the program, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will enable the young hunter to participate in a deer hunt that will be educational, memorable and have a better chance of being successful," said Daley.

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Burns' bill to strengthen landscape architect registration passes House

State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, said his legislation (H.B. 703) to strengthen registration requirements for landscape architects has passed the House unanimously. Burns' bill would require all landscape architects seeking registration in Pennsylvania to undergo examination, regardless of their years of active experience, and would expand the criteria for continuing education of licensees.  

"This bill has support from the landscape architects and the State Board of Engineers because the current Landscape Architects' Registration Law is outdated," Burns said. "My bill would ensure that only the most qualified landscape architects receive a license to work in Pennsylvania, and I am pleased my colleagues in the House recognize its importance."

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COMMITTEE ACTION

Kessler mortgage reform bills advance to full House

Two mortgage reform bills introduced by state Rep. David Kessler, D-Berks, were approved by the House Commerce Committee this week and sent to the full House of Representatives.

One of Kessler's reform bills (H.B. 986) would prohibit a mortgage broker or originator from being the exclusive recipient of communications to a consumer, such as a mortgage payment invoice or 1096 interest statement. Kessler's second reform bill (H.B. 985) would help to prevent fraud by protecting mortgage broker and mortgage company employees who report a violation of any law or take part in an investigation, hearing or inquiry. 

"By expanding these protections, we would create a banking system that we can trust in and hopefully could be used to expose future banking problems," Kessler said. 

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Gaming committee holds first public hearing on video lottery terminals   

The House Gaming Oversight Committee this week held a public hearing on a proposal to use the proceeds from video lottery terminals at bars, restaurants and private social clubs licensed by the Liquor Control Board to fund tuition relief for students at state-owned universities and community colleges in Pennsylvania, according to committee Chairman Dante Santoni, D-Berks. Under the bill (H.B. 1317), all students at community colleges and State System universities would pay at least $1,000 per year toward the cost of tuition. Students and families that do not qualify for grants through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency but who earn less than $100,000 a year would receive a grant equal to half the cost of tuition. Santoni said that translates to a $2,700 discount for State System of Higher Education universities. The average discount at community colleges would be about $500 for students who pay local tuition and around $1,000 for students who pay out-of-area tuition.

"Clearly, there is need to step up our efforts to help students obtain a higher education in Pennsylvania," Santoni said. "Pennsylvania, like many other states, is facing a massive budget deficit, and there will be little room in the General Fund to help working families afford increasingly out-of-reach tuition costs at our public colleges. My bill attempts to provide this needed resource for students."