The Legislative Week in Review

Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

Nov. 13, 2009

 

PASSED THE HOUSE

 

House passes bill to expand governments' tools for energy conservation

 

A bill introduced by state Rep. Frank Dermody that would make it easier for government entities to make energy conservation improvements to their facilities has passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Dermody's bill (H.B. 687) would increase the maximum length of guaranteed energy savings contracts from 15 years to 20 years, mirroring federal law, to allow for lengthier payback periods, and expand the list of energy conservation measures permitted to include technology upgrades to existing conservations; water and sewer conservation measures; upgrades that improve the accuracy of billable revenue-generating systems; and automated systems that reduce personnel or operating costs.

 

"Public housing authorities that operate housing complexes are one such group that uses these guaranteed energy savings contracts," Dermody said. "The energy costs savings that these authorities realize can be put to use for additional improvements and property management, but current state restrictions on these contracts impede the ability to maximize federal funding. This should be resolved statutorily, considering the millions in additional federal funding Pennsylvania public housing authorities are receiving from the federal stimulus package."

 

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COMMITTEE ACTION

 

DeLuca pharmacy bill approved by House Professional Licensure Committee 

 

State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, said the House Professional Licensure Committee has approved his legislation (H.B. 528) that would require pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania to be registered by the State Board of Pharmacy. Under the bill, to obtain registration, pharmacy technicians would have to complete a pharmacy technician training program approved by the board; receive certification from a nationally recognized certifying agency approved by the board; or successfully complete an examination approved by the board. The bill also would allow pharmacy technician trainees to receive a temporary permit while they are enrolled in a certified training program.

 

"My bill is designed to protect consumers, especially the elderly, who rely on their medications being properly dispensed at pharmacies," DeLuca said. "It is important for pharmacy technicians to be property trained so that we can ensure that the prescriptions they help to fill benefit patients as intended, and don't end up harming them."

 

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Solobay's bill to protect nursing mothers moves forward

 

State Rep. Tim Solobay's bill to protect the rights of nursing mothers in the workplace has been approved by the House Children and Youth Committee. House Bill 1303 would prohibit employers, employment agencies or labor organizations from refusing to hire or fire; withholding pay; demoting or in any way penalizing an individual who is lactating due to breastfeeding or who expresses milk at the workplace. The bill would also prohibit employers from preventing an employee from expressing breast milk during any required meal or break period.

 

"Infants who are breastfed have fewer ear infections, fewer hospital stays for respiratory infections and are less likely to become overweight during childhood than bottle-fed babies," said Solobay, D-Washington. "With so many benefits, we need to do all that we can to help new mothers give their babies a healthy start in life. We have already removed discrimination against lactating mothers in public; now we need to remove that discrimination from the workplace."

 

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Mirabito's PennGAP bill receives bipartisan support, advances to full House

 

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Lycoming, that would create transparency in state spending has been unanimously approved by the House State Government Committee. House Bill 1880 would create the Pennsylvania Government Accountability Portal, or PennGAP, a searchable Web site that would give the public access to Commonwealth expenses over $1,000, including those of the state legislature. It would also include information on state agency contracts.

 

"Transparency and accountability are so important to making state government work," Mirabito said. "We have to be transparent with expenditures, revenues, all financial aspects of state government."

 

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House Transportation Committee approves Markosek distracted driving bill

 

The state House Transportation Committee has unanimously approved legislation authored by its chairman, Rep. Joseph Markosek, that would ban texting while driving in Pennsylvania. House Bill 2070 also would prohibit novice drivers -- those with learner's permits or junior licenses -- from using cell phones or any other electronic devices while behind the wheel.

 

"This legislation is the result of a bipartisan effort," said Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland. "I'm pleased to see the spirit of cooperation continue today as we address the important issue of distracted driving. I'm hopeful that it will continue as the bill moves to the full House of Representatives."

 

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House Children and Youth Committee approves Bishop child-care legislation

 

State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop said the House Children and Youth Committee has approved her bill that would require three state agencies to provide an annual report on child care and early childhood development programs to the Pennsylvania legislature. The bill (H.B. 1977) would require the state departments of Public Welfare, Health and Education to develop the annual report.

 

"My bill recognizes the importance of addressing the diverse developmental needs of young children and working families by ensuring that annual information on programs and funding is made available for review and discussion," Bishop said.

 

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Redistricting legislation approved by committee, sent to full House

 

A bill that would reform the way legislative districts in Pennsylvania are drawn every 10 years has been approved by the House State Government Committee. The bill (H.B. 1805) was introduced by its chairwoman, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., as a way to improve the redistricting process and make it less partisan by strengthening the public comment process and requiring more statewide hearings at all stages of development of the redistricting map. It also would require data and information to be made available online.

 

"The purpose of my legislation is to take the politics out of the redistricting process -- to prevent gerrymandering for the next legislative reapportionment and each one thereafter," Josephs said. "Pennsylvania's legislative districts should be drawn in an open and nonpartisan process."

 

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House Insurance Committee holds public hearing on Costa's long-term insurance bill

 

State Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny, co-hosted a House Insurance Committee hearing in Sharpsburg recently on his bill that would assist senior citizens with long-term insurance complaints. The committee is chaired by Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny. Under H.B. 1251, if a senior citizen files a claim for benefits with his or her long-term care insurance company, and the company denies the claim, the senior would have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a third party. If the complaint is still turned down, the senior citizen would have the ability to appeal to the state Insurance Department or the state Health Department.

 

"Essentially, this bill would enhance the appeals process for senior citizens whose claims are denied by their long-term insurance provider," Costa said.

 

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