Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

 

Jan. 29, 2010

 

PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE

 

Harhai coal refuse disposal bill awaits governor's signature

 

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Westmoreland, that would protect new property from being used for coal refuse and establish a board to settle disputes between surface property owners and mineral rights holders involved in methane well drilling awaits the signature of Gov. Ed Rendell. The Harhai bill (H.B. 1847) passed the House overwhelmingly in September. The Senate unanimously passed an amended version in December and this week, the House agreed to the Senate version by a 183-12 vote, sending the bill to the governor to be signed into law.

 

"We have learned over the last century in dealing with coal mine refuse piles that they're not only unsightly, but they can damage the environment, too. Compounds leach out of the material over time, and, without proper control, pollute ground and surface water," said Harhai. "My bill would minimize future damage that could come from new coal refuse piles that otherwise could be placed in an environmentally sensitive location. We have enough remediation and clean-up challenges already. We don't need more."

 

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PASSED THE HOUSE

 

House votes to ban texting, hand-held cell phone use by drivers

 

The House has passed legislation that would make it a primary offense, punishable by a $50 fine, for motorists to use hand-held mobile phones to place or receive calls or text message while driving. The measure, H.B. 2070, originally introduced by House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Markosek, D-Allegheny, to ban texting for all drivers and to ban holders of learner's permits and junior licensees from using any wireless device while driving, was expanded to include all hand-held phone use thanks to an amendment sponsored by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery. The lawmakers praised Shapiro and Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, for their longstanding effort to raise awareness of the issue and to get this measure approved by the House.

 

 "We are all one text from eternity," according to Markosek, the bill's prime sponsor. "Our legislation will help to educate folks that responsibility and commonsense go hand-in-hand when operating a 4,000-pound potential battering ram. This legislation is proof that the legislature does listen to the public outcry."

 

"Study after study after study has proven conclusively that using a handheld electronic device while driving has essentially the same effect as the driver getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, and that is unacceptable," said House Speaker Keith R. McCall, D-Carbon. "The message is simple: hang up and drive. When you're behind the wheel, it's time to pay attention to the road, not check your e-mail."

 

"Today we're joining 19 other states across the nation in saying 'enough' when it comes to highway accidents that could be prevented by drivers just leaving the cell phone alone and paying attention to the road," said House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne. "In 2008, one out of every six fatal car crashes involved distracted drivers. We simply cannot stand idly by while men, women and children are dying on our roads because drivers can't put down their cell phones. This ban is the right thing to do."

 

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Houghton legislation to prevent abuse of DXM passes House

 

State Rep. Tom Houghton, D-Chester, said legislation he authored to prevent the abuse and misuse of dextromethorphan, known as DXM, a common ingredient in cough syrups and over-the-counter medicines, has unanimously passed the state House. House Bill 1616 would classify raw DXM as a substance subject to the Non-controlled Substance Reporting and Registration Act of Feb. 14, 1990. Under this legislation, any manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer or other person who is engaged in the sale, distribution, transfer or furnishing of DXM will be required to register with the state secretary of Health as well as provide specific information from the purchaser of the substance to the state Attorney General's Office.

 

"Changing the classification of this common ingredient will make it less accessible to those who seek to abuse it," Houghton said. "DXM is often harvested for its hallucinogenic effects, similar to PCP, and is increasingly being purchased over the Internet in raw powder form by teens seeking to abuse it."

 

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COMMITTEE ACTION

 

Public hearing held on Curry's bill that would ban toxins in baby products

                                                                                                         

The House Consumer Affairs Committee recently held a public hearing on state Rep. Lawrence Curry's legislation (H.B. 221) that would prohibit the manufacture or sale in Pennsylvania of baby bottles, training cups, formula cans or other child-care items that contain bisphenol A. Curry said that for several years, the plastics industry has added BPA to hard, clear, durable plastics such as water bottles that are made out of polycarbonates.

 

"There is a great deal of new independent scientific evidence that has come out in recent months that details the health dangers posed by BPA," said Curry. "That is why I feel legislation is needed to ensure that BPA is no longer used in infant and toddler products made or sold in Pennsylvania, to give parents peace of mind."

 

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House committees review food safety issue in Capitol cafeteria, urge Senate to pass food safety bill

 

The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs and State Government committees this week held a joint public hearing to review the issue of the mice infestation and unsanitary conditions that closed the Capitol cafeteria recently, and called on the Senate to pass a comprehensive food safety initiative. House Bill 174, which was introduced by state Rep. Mike Carroll, passed the House last June, but has stalled in the Senate. This measure would improve the state Department of Agriculture's ability to enforce food safety regulations at restaurants and other locations where food is prepared and sold, such as fairs and picnics. It would also standardize inspections and reporting across the state and make statewide inspection records available to the public on the Department of Agriculture's Web site.  

 

"We are urging the Senate to take action on this legislation that links together food safety inspections with the license renewal and posts these results on the Web for all consumers to see," said state Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. "The current lack of uniformity in regulating food safety in Pennsylvania, as well as jurisdictional issues that have led to inspection lapses, have made it difficult to ensure public safety and prevent and contain food-poisoning outbreaks or situations like we saw recently at the Capitol cafeteria."

 

"It is important that a safe, sanitary and disease-free environment is maintained for all food service establishments, so I was appalled to learn that this was not the case in our own backyard," said House State Government Committee chairman Babette Josephs, D-Phila. "It was essential for us to investigate why the state-mandated inspections never took place and to prevent a recurrence here for the safety of all who use the Capitol dining facility, including school children and the public. I urge the Senate to take quick action on Representative Carroll's food safety bill, which would help address the problems that occurred at the Capitol cafeteria."

 

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