Pennsylvania Builders Association backing legislation to create trainee program for building codes

Hoping to combat a shrinking pool of certified building inspectors in Pennsylvania, a West Shore lawmaker is proposing legislation that would create a training program.

Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), in a memo seeking co-sponsors, said the number of certified inspectors and plan examiners has dwindled to less than 2,500 in recent years.

Keystone XL good for PA., lawmakers say; urge Obama to drop veto threat

After six years of delays and nearly a dozen failed votes, the Keystone XL pipeline on Friday got approval for construction from the U.S. House of Representatives.

The pipeline, which would run from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska, would allow crude oil to flow to the Gulf Coast.

PA General Assemby: Senate Republicans announce committee chairs

On behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announced the Republican standing committee chairs for the 2015-2016 session.

Notable changes from last session include a switch in State Government and Education Committee chairs with Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) taking over the Education Committee for Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon), who will helm the State Government Committee where Sen. Smucker was chairman last session.

Former Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) will find his home as chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee taking over for Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair) who replaces the retiring Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) as chair of Senate Finance.

Freshman senators and former House members Michele Brooks (R-Mercer), Mario Scavello (R-Monroe), and Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) all received chairmanships.

Sen. Brooks will chair the Aging and Youth Committee, Sen. Scavello will chair the Game and Fisheries Committee, and Sen. Aument will chair the Intergovernmental Operations Committee.

The other three freshman senators—Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), Thomas McGarrigle (R-Delaware), and Pat Stefano (R-Fayette) did not receive chairmanships.

The full list follows:

Aging & Youth – Senator Michele Brooks (R-Mercer)

·         Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver)

·         Appropriations – Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh)

·         Banking & Insurance – Senator Don White (R-Indiana)

·         Communications & Technology – Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango)

·         CERD – Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland)

·         Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Senator Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks)

·         Education – Senator Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster)

·         Environmental Resources & Energy – Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming)

·         Finance – Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair)

·         Game & Fisheries – Senator Mario Scavello (R-Monroe)

·         Intergovernmental Operations – Senator Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster)

·         Judiciary – Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)

·         Labor & Industry – Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)

·         Law & Justice – Senator Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks)

·         Local Government – Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)

·         Public Health & Welfare – Senator Patricia Vance (R-Cumberland)

·         Rules & Executive Nominations – Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre)

·         State Government – Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon)

·         Transportation – Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)

·         Urban Affairs & Housing – Senator Scott Wagner (R-York)

·         Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Senator Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny)

Source: The PLS Reporter

PA General Asembly: Senate Democrats announce committee chairs

The Senate Democrats have named their committee chairs, according to a release sent out Friday afternoon.

Senate Bill 1 pension reform likely to include defined contribution plan

Pension reform has been given the key moniker of Senate Bill 1 and will likely take the form of a defined contribution plan, a key player in the process told The PLS Reporter this week.

During Tuesday’s swearing-in day ceremonies in the Senate, newly re-elected President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) raised the prospects of pension reform legislation to a new level by declaring a pension reform bill will take on the prestigious title of Senate Bill 1, a more-than-symbolic gesture emphasizing the importance of the issue to the Senate.

H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act of 2015 – Legislation that would raise the threshold that defines full-time employment from 30 hours per week under current law to 40 hours per week, and it would apply that higher threshold in two ways in the calculation of penalties.

January 7, 2015 - Cost Estimate

Read Complete Document (pdf, 154.82 KB)

As introduced in the House of Representatives on January 6, 2015

H.R. 30 would change how penalties are imposed under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on employers that do not offer insurance (or offer insurance that does not meet certain criteria) and that have at least one full-time employee receiving a subsidy through a health insurance exchange. The legislation would raise the threshold that defines full-time employment from 30 hours per week under current law to 40 hours per week, and it would apply that higher threshold in two ways in the calculation of penalties.

Pennsylvania general Assembly: House committee chairs announced

Just a day before legislators are officially sworn in for the 2015-2015 legislative session, Speaker-designate Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced the chairmen of the various legislative committees.

Notable changes from last session include former House Majority Whip Stan Saylor (R-York) helming the House Education Committee following the retirement of former chairman Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks).

GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 1543: Regular Session 2013-2014: Approved by the Governor, Act No. 160 (UPDATED - October 22, 2014)

Text [History] [Votes]

Short Title: An Act amending the act of October 17, 2008 (P.L.1645, No.132), known as the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, providing for the definition of "time and materials"; and further providing for procedures for registration as a contractor and for home improvement contracts.

Prime Sponsor: Representative KILLION

Last Action: Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2014, Act No. 160

In the House

PN 2077 Referred to CONSUMER AFFAIRS, June 18, 2013

PN 3829 Reported as amended, June 24, 2014

First consideration, June 24, 2014

Re-committed to RULES, June 24, 2014

Re-reported as committed, June 25, 2014

Second consideration, June 27, 2014

Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 27, 2014

Re-reported as committed, June 29, 2014

Third consideration and final passage, June 29, 2014 (200-0)

                       

In the Senate

                       

Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, July 1, 2014

PN 4090 Reported as amended, Sept. 16, 2014

First consideration, Sept. 16, 2014

Second consideration, Sept. 24, 2014

Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 24, 2014

PN 4242 Re-reported as amended, Oct. 6, 2014

Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 7, 2014 (50-0)

(Remarks see Senate Journal Page ), Oct. 7, 2014

                       

In the House

                       

Referred to RULES, Oct. 8, 2014

Re-reported on concurrence, as committed, Oct. 8, 2014

House concurred in Senate amendments, Oct. 8, 2014 (192-0)

(Remarks see House Journal Page ), Oct. 8, 2014

Signed in House, Oct. 8, 2014

Signed in Senate, Oct. 14, 2014

Presented to the Governor, Oct. 14, 2014

Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2014, Act No. 160

Memo:  Amend Home Improvement Contractor Law

MEMORANDUM

Posted:            May 13, 2013 04:03 PM

From:   Representative Thomas Killion

To:       All House members

Subject:           Amend Home Improvement Contractor Law

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation intended to strengthen Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law by further providing for contractual protections for both consumers and contractors.

In many cases, Pennsylvania's home improvement contractors cannot identify a specific cost of the job they are hired to do.  Because each home and each job is different, the cost for the same activity can vary from home to home.  For this reason, contractors often enter into "time & materials" agreements with consumers, which provide an agreed-to procedure that covers an unspecified cost for labor and materials to complete a job. Under the current HIC provisions, these agreements are not enforceable contracts and as such, not subject to the protections and penalties of the HIC law.

This legislation would further define contracts subject to HIC protections and penalties as either the current standard of the total sales price or a mutually agreed upon time and materials provision for the completion of specified improvements.

This legislation will allow Pennsylvania's home improvement contractors more flexibility in their contracts while providing more security and protection for consumers.

If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Alison in my office at ahagler@pahousegop.com.

Pa. Senate defeats union dues measure

HARRISBURG -- A controversial proposal that would have ended automatic dues deductions and political contributions from unionized public school employees was defeated in the state Senate Wednesday.

Bills drawing concern from environmental advocates headed for governor’s signature

Two bills that have drawn criticism from various environmental advocates and organizations over the last several months were sent to Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature late afternoon Wednesday.

First, House Bill 2354—introduced by Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene)—would provide legislative oversight of the Commonwealth’s compliance plan related to the US EPA’s new carbon emissions standards.

Senate removes stream buffers for new developments, gives edge to builders, property owners

Read more about HB165 by reading the GMCS GLASS Report:  GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 1565: Regular Session 2013-2014

In a legislative battle between the interests of builders and those of environmentalists, builders won Tuesday night.

The Pennsylvania Senate voted 27-22 to remove the requirement that builders must have 150-foot buffer zones between new developments and state-designated "high-quality" streams.

GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 1565: Regular Session 2013-2014, Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2014, Act No. 162 (UPDATED: October 22, 2014)

[Text] [History] [Votes]

An Act amending the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, further providing for potential pollution.

Prime Sponsor: Representative HAHN

Memo: Riparian Buffer

No drama expected as Pa. legislative session winds down

HARRISBURG - As the General Assembly returns this week for its final voting days of the 2013-14 legislative session, there is little certainty about which bills will ultimately reach the governor's desk.

But two of Gov. Corbett's top priorities - liquor privatization and pension reform - are not likely to be among them.

After debating those issues for two years, it appears that the House and Senate will adjourn without reaching agreement on single pieces of legislation to privatize the State Stores or address skyrocketing pension costs by shifting state employees to a 401(k)-style benefit plan.

What appears poised for a sprint to the finish line by Thursday is a bill inspired by Mumia Abu-Jamal's commencement address last week. It would allow victims to sue to stop an offender from harassing them.

HB 1565 Riparian buffer bill could see final passage next week

The ongoing debate concerning a bill altering current watershed buffer requirements moved to the Senate in the legislature’s next-to-last substantive session week.

According to Erik Arneson, spokesperson for the Senate Majority Leader, the bill—House Bill 1565--could potentially run next week in the Senate.

If approved, the legislation would need to go back to the House for concurrence.

Current law requires mandatory riparian buffers that prohibit earth disturbances within 150 feet of a certain rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds or reservoirs when the project site is located in an exceptional value or high quality watershed attaining its designated use.

GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 1096: Regular Session 2013-2014 (Updated, October 7, 2014)

Short Title: An Act amending the act of December 14, 1982 (P.L.1227, No.281), known as the Architects Licensure Law, further providing for definitions, for powers of board, for issuance and renewal of certificates and for permitted practices.

Prime Sponsor: Representative SONNEY

Last Action: First consideration, Oct. 6, 2014 [Senate]

Memo: Architect Law_ continuing education

GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 2449: Regular Session 2013-2014

Text [History] [Votes]

Short Title: An Act amending the act of August 15, 1961 (P.L.987, No.442), known as the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, in definitions, further providing for the definition of "public body."

Prime Sponsor: Representative TOPPER

Last Action: Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY, Sept. 4, 2014 [House]

Memo: Prevailing Wage School Exemption

Printer's No.
4012*

MEMORANDUM

Posted: August 13, 2014 03:37 PM

From:   Representative Jesse Topper

To:       All House members

Subject: Prevailing Wage School Exemption

In the near future I intend to introduce legislation which would exempt Pennsylvania school districts (as well as any authority, instrumentality, or agency established by a school district) from the requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act.

The Prevailing Wage Act requires that all public bodies pay the prevailing minimum wage, as determined by the Secretary of Labor and Industry, to workmen on a “public works project”. A “public work” is defined in the Act as any construction, repair, demolition, or alteration paid for in whole (or in part) out of the funds of a public body where the total estimated cost exceeds $25,000.

Because school construction and renovation projects are so costly, school districts are hit particularly hard by the prevailing wage mandate.

A 2001 study by the Journal of Education Finance examining the effect of Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage law on school construction found that school districts paid 17% higher labor costs under the Prevailing Wage Act when compared with private sector wages for all labor classifications.

According to the Department of Education’s PlanCon documentation, Pennsylvania school districts spent over $7 billion on school construction and renovation projects that were bid between February 2000 and May 2010. If school districts were to save 10%-17% of the construction costs on these projects (as suggested by the aforementioned Journal of Education Finance study), school districts could have saved Pennsylvania taxpayers over $700 million on these projects alone.

To maximize the value of every taxpayer dollar, we must give our school districts flexibility to forego burdensome, outdated requirements so that they may keep costs down and balance their budgets.  Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.