February 20, 2015

Weekly Recap:

As another relatively quiet session week comes to a close, our embattled row officers continue to make headlines. On Tuesday, two weeks after being charged, former Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord appeared in federal court and pled guilty to charges of attempted extortion. Though a tentative plea agreement has been reached, no sentence has been imposed yet and no sentencing date is currently scheduled. McCord could face up to 40 years in prison and $500,000 if given the maximum sentence.

For more, go to: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/02/former_pa_treasurer_mccord_ple.html

Meanwhile, Attorney General Kathleen Kane continues legal battles of her own, potentially facing charges based on allegations that she leaked secret grand jury information to the Philadelphia Daily News. While Kane has openly acknowledged sharing information, she denies that she did so in an unlawful manner. Charges against Kane could include perjury, false swearing, obstruction of justice, official oppression and criminal contempt. Stay tuned; oral arguments are expected to take place March 11 in Philadelphia.

In the meantime, read more at: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150219_Criminal_charges_recommended_for_AG_Kane_include_contempt_of_court.html

On the legislative front, the Senate advanced S.B. 385 (Pileggi, R-Chester), which would update the Transit Revitalization Investment District or “TRID” act. A TRID is the area around a mass transit stop designated by the municipality and authorized to use certain tax revenues for purposes of economic development . Pileggi’s bill seeks to modernize the Act by streamlining the TRID designation process and setting clear parameters for the use of TRID funding. The bill was reported from the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

For more, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385

Additionally, the Senate passed S.B. 279 (Hutchinson, R-Butler). S.B. 279 would establish a 17-member body to be known as the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory Council. The council will assist the Department of Environmental Protection with making regulatory changes to address the difference between conventional and unconventional (shale) gas wells. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Read S.B. 279 at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0279

A Look Ahead:

Both chambers will return to Harrisburg next week; the Senate has scheduled its usual three session days, but the House has scheduled five. According to House Majority Leader Dave Reed, the extra days have been added so the House can consider a liquor privatization proposal. The debate kicks off Monday at 10 a.m., when the House Liquor Control Committee meets to consider H.B. 466 (Turzai, R-Allegheny). This debate alone could make for an interesting—albeit long—week.

To read H.B. 466, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0466

While most of the buzz will be about booze,  other committees will be busy, too. On Tuesday, the House Insurance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss state health insurance mandates and the Affordable Care Act.

For more about the ACA in PA, check out: http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/affordablecareact/index.htm

Also, the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee will hear a presentation on the Pennsylvania Tourism Partnership.

You can read about tourism in Pennsylvania at:  www.visitpa.com

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will meet to consider S.B. 352 (Vogel, R-Beaver), which would update and “bring the Race Horse Industry Reform Act into the 21st century.”

To read S.B. 352, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0352

On Wednesday, the Senate State Government Committee will hold a public hearing on S.B. 3 (Folmer, R-Lebanon), which would legalize the use of medical cannabis in the Commonwealth.

To read the bill, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0003

To see who’s on the panel, check out: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015021991.HTM

Also on Wednesday, the House Consumer Affairs Committee will meet to consider H.B. 57 (Payne, R-Dauphin), which would enhance natural gas competition in the Commonwealth, and H.B. 66 (Godshall, R-Montgomery), which would provide for greater transparency when a municipal authority wants to acquire a private, municipal or school district facility.

For more on H.B. 57, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0057

For more on H.B. 66, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0066

Finally, the House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing on small games of chance.

To read about small games of chance, see: http://www.revenue.pa.gov/GeneralTaxInformation/Tax%20Types%20and%20Information/Pages/Small-Games-of-Chance.aspx#.VOY11aEo60E

For a complete list of committee meetings, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm

To see what the House has tentatively scheduled for action on the floor, check out: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015021979.PDF

In other news: