Weekly Wrap

This was the final week of session before the June budget ramp up and only the House of Representatives was in Harrisburg for session. In preparation for movement on a state spending plan next month, and with a June 30 deadline looming, the House moved a series of budget-related bills. A General Appropriations bill, H.B. 790 (Saylor, R-York), already received second consideration by the full House on May 1.

Moving beyond the budget, on Monday, the House Insurance Committee unanimously voted in favor of H.B. 924 (Toohil, R-Luzerne), which would prohibit discrimination in the provision of life, accident and health insurance based on the status of an insured as a living organ donor. The bill would also allow for the same unpaid leave an employee is entitled to under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide care during transplantation.

Tuesday, the House Human Services Committee reported out three measures:

  • H.B. 672 (Ortitay, R-Allegheny), which would clarify provisions dealing with a minor’s consent for voluntary inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment;
  • H.B. 1052 (Nelson, R-Westmoreland), which would define best practices for notification when an individual leaves addiction treatment against medical advice; and
  • H.R. 193 (McNeill, D-Lehigh), which would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the mental health provider shortage in the Commonwealth and to issue a report.

The House Health Committee reported out three bills and one resolution:

  • H.B. 783 (Marshall, R-Beaver), which would establish an infant CPR and Choking Education and Prevention Program;
  • H.B. 1005 (Cox, R-Lancaster), which would add Narcan/Naloxone to the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP);
  • H.B. 1214 (Struzzi, R-Indiana), which would add pain management clinics to the list of health care facilities regulated by the Department of Health; and
  • H.R. 268 (Struzzi, R-Indiana), which would direct the Joint State Government Commission to study the impact of the behavioral health care system capacity on hospital emergency departments and patient health.

The House Judiciary Committee reported H.B. 1402 (Nesbit, R-Mercer) from their committee. H.B. 1402 would create the crime of sexual extortion. This crime occurs when a person uses coercion and misuses their power to demand sexual acts, images or videos from victims. Also, the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee reported out H.B. 787 (Heffley, R-Carbon), which would require online home sharing and short-term rental companies doing business in Pennsylvania to register with the state and share information with taxing authorities.

Finally for committee meetings on Tuesday, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing on the demand response, which provides payments to consumers who reduce or shift their electricity usage when called upon during peak periods. The Committee also passed a motion to send a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) expressing disapproval of the proposed Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Regulation 7-533. The regulation would adjust the existing fee schedules for water quality permit applications and annual fees under the Clean Streams Law.

On the House floor, three bills of note passed finally and will make their way to the Senate for consideration:

  • H.B. 68 (Ryan, R-Lebanon), which would extend the time period for an employer to request relief from charges under the Unemployment Compensation Law from 15 to 21 days;
  • H.B. 321 (Klunk, R-York), which would prohibit an abortion solely due to the diagnosis of possible Down Syndrome; and
  • H.B. 633 (Keller, R-Perry), which would permit candidates and political committees to file campaign finance reports and statements electronically.

Wednesday, the House Finance Committee reported out H.B. 17 (Ryan, R-Lebanon), which would require all state taxes, except for the inheritance tax, to be collected within 10 years from the date the return was first due. The House Commerce Committee reported two bills out: H.B. 1429 (Galloway, D-Bucks), which would require pre-foreclosure notices before a lender may attempt to accelerate or pursue any legal action against the homeowner; and H.B. 1437 (Keller, R-Perry), which would update the Rural Jobs and Investment Tax Credit Program, including increasing the annual cap from $4 million to $15 million. Lastly, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee moved H.B. 956 (Murt, R-Montgomery) out of their committee. The bill would provide for a temporary reduction of the PA Lottery statutorily mandated rate of return from 25% to 23%.

The full House finally passed two bills affecting the Department of State’s Bureau of Occupational Affairs (BPOA). The first, H.B. 770 (DeLuca, D-Allegheny), would require pharmacy technicians to register with the State Board of Pharmacy. The second, H.B. 1172 (Hickernell, R-Lancaster), would require licensing boards and commissions under the BPOA to provide licensure by endorsement for applicants who hold similar licenses in other states.

The Week Ahead

Neither chamber will return to Harrisburg until June 3, which we hope will be the official start of “budget season.” However, there is a Municipal Election between now and then on May 21.

The only statewide races are for two open spots on the state Superior Court. The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate courts (the other being the Commonwealth Court). The Court is responsible for appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas and appeals on matters involving children and families.

The Republican candidates are:

  • Megan McCarthy King (R-Chester);
  • Christylee Peck (R-Cumberland); and
  • Rebecca Warren (R-Luzerne).

The Democrats candidates are:

  • Amanda Green-Hawkins (D-Allegheny);
  • Daniel McCaffery (D-Philadelphia); and
  • Beth Tarasi (D-Allegheny).

There are also special elections to fill three vacant seats in the state legislature and a seat in Congress:

  • HD-11 (Butler): Marci Mustello (R) will face Sam Doctor (D) to replace Rep. Brian Ellis (R);
  • SD-33 (Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, York): Doug Mastriano (R) will face Sarah Hammond (D) to replace Sen. Richard Alloway (R);
  • SD-41 (Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, Westmoreland): Joe Pittman (R) will face Susan Boser (D) to replace Sen. Don White (R); and
  • PA-12 (Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union and Wyoming): state Representative Fred Keller (R) will face Marc Friedenberg (D) to replace U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R).

Allegheny County and the City of Philadelphia will also have some races to watch, highlighted by the Mayor’s race in Philadelphia. Incumbent Jim Kenney (D) faces primary challenges from state Senator Anthony Williams and former City Controller Alan Butkovitz.

In Other News

  • The Department of Human Services is preparing for the third phase of the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program.
  • Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma.
  • The Governor announced a loan repayment program for opioid crisis medical practitioners.
  • Governor Wolf’s approval rating is at an all-time high.