Weekly Wrap

Although the House of Representatives were in session, this week’s news cycle was dominated by the judicial and executive branches of government.

First, on Monday a Pennsylvania federal judge struck down some of Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation orders that: (1) required residents to stay at home; (2) limited “events and gatherings” to 25 persons for indoor gatherings and 250 persons for outdoor gatherings; and (3) shuttered all non-life-sustaining businesses as unconstitutional. The Court’s opinion did not rule on any of Governor’s other mitigation orders, including those mandating masks. Provisions of the order mandating telework, and those that place limitations on restaurant, bar, salon, theater, gym, and mall occupancy, were unaffected as well. The Office of Attorney General, representing the Administration, requested a delay in enforcement of the ruling with respect to indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Thursday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots for the 2020 presidential election could be counted if postmarked by Election Day and received by county election officials within the next three days. The decision also allowed for local election boards to setup drop-off boxes for voters to submit their ballots.

Also on Thursday, Governor Wolf and the Secretary of Health signed orders allowing restaurants to increase their indoor occupancy to 50 percent starting on Monday, September 21. Restaurants that want to increase from 25 percent to 50 percent occupancy must first complete a self-certification process. Serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 PM and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight.

There’s still plenty to report on the legislative branch, starting on Tuesday, when the House held a handful of hearings:

  • The House Commerce Committee held a public hearing on “what comes next…the impacts of COVID crisis”;
  • The House Consumer Affairs Committee held an informational meeting on key issues impacting the Chester Water Authority and the East Dunkard Water Authority;
  • The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met regarding sending a letter to IRRC on the Air Quality Fee Schedule; and
  • The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on police training and department accreditation.

The House Professional Licensure Committee reported four bills of note from their committee:

  • H.B. 862 (Barrar, R-Delaware), which would amend the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act to enhance license portability and improve access to care;
  • H.B. 2561 (Culver, R-Northumberland), which would modernize the Optometric Practice and License Act;
  • H.B. 2584 (Topper, R-Bedford), which would allow Pennsylvania to fully join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; and
  • H.B. 2636 (Ecker, R-Adams), which would prohibit the use of non-compete agreements in health care practitioners’ employment contracts.

Wednesday, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational meeting on recycling efforts as they apply to solar panels, including H.B. 2197 (Dush, R-Jefferson), which would amend the Covered Device Recycling Act to include photovoltaic modules. The House Finance Committee also held an informational meeting, where the Department of Revenue discussed the state’s current and projected tax revenue collections. According to the Department, “tax revenues are not expected to exceed tax revenues for the FY 2018-19 year until FY 2023-24”.

In the health care space, the House adopted H.R. 625 (Schemel, R-Franklin), which would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on medical student choice in primary care. Furthermore, the House Health Committee reported out the following bills:

  • H.B. 2103 (Jozwiak, R-Berks), which would require notice to patients after a diagnostic imaging test;
  • H.B. 2779 (Quinn, R-Delaware), which would terminate administrative flexibilities provided to health care providers and practitioners 90 days after the termination of the COVID-19 disaster declaration;
  • H.B. 2792 (Thomas, R-Bucks), which would establish a registry of medical directors in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities; and
  • H.B. 2861 (Rapp, R-Warren), which would provide access to long-term care facilities for essential caregivers.

On Thursday, the House Transportation Committee reported out S.B. 1199 (Aument, R-Lancaster), which would provide for the use of personal delivery devices (drones). Also, the House Urban Affairs Committee reported out H.B. 2868 (Helm, R-Dauphin), which would make changes to the COVID Relief Mortgage and Rental Assistance Grant Program so landlords, tenants, mortgagees and mortgagors can more easily apply and money can be dispersed more effectively.

Lastly for committees, the House Commerce Committee reported out:

  • H.B. 2832 (Dowling, R-Fayette), which would allow sports facilities and performance venues to begin operating on their inside seating portion;
  • H.B. 2862 (Delozier, R-Cumberland), which would makes changes to strengthen the Banking Fund; and
  • H.B. 2615 (Stephens, R-Montgomery), which would establish the Community Cornerstone Grant Program to provide financial assistance to restaurants adversely impacted by COVID-19.

The Week Ahead

Just the Senate is in session next week, and on Monday the Senate Aging and Youth Committee will consider two bills: S.B. 983 (DiSanto, R-Dauphin), which would expand the Newborn Child Screening and Follow-up Program by merging the mandatory and supplemental disorder lists and establish a standard newborn screening fee. The committee will also consider S.B. 1279 (Mensch, R-Montgomery), which would allow a family member or other designated person to visit and care for a relative in a long-term care facility.

Tuesday, the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold an informational meeting on changes to the funding formula for the state 911 fund/program. The committee will hold another informational meeting on Wednesday, which will focus on emergency powers under Title 35 (Health and Safety).

On Wednesday, the Senate Aging and Youth Committee will hold an informational meeting regarding the caregiver support program.

For a full list of committee meetings:

House

Senate

In Other News

  • The Environmental Quality Board voted to promulgate a regulation to allow Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  
  • The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $20 million in grant funding through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant.
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that it has resumed issuing REAL IDs.
  • The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education launched a new phase of workforce alignment with regional employer assemblies.
  • The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is initiating a rulemaking on the replacement of customer-owned lead service lines and damaged wastewater service laterals.