A look at recent bills and how area legislators voted:

Senate House Bill 2610

The bill aims to further provide for work practice standards within the crematory industry.

Vote: 48 yes, 0 no and 2 no; voting yes, David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman, and Nick Miller.

House Bill 2378

The bill aims to amend the State Lottery Law, specifically focusing on pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly. The bill proposes changes to the definitions within the law to exclude savings bonds from being counted towards income.

Vote: 50Y 0N; voting yes, Argall, Brown, Coleman, Miller.

House Bill 2160

The bill introduces several significant changes to the First Class Township Code, particularly regarding the election of officers and handling vacancies. If the board of commissioners cannot fill a vacancy within 30 days, the vacancy board, which includes the board of commissioners and one registered elector, will step in. The registered elector, appointed annually, will act as the chairperson of the vacancy board. The chairperson of the vacancy board cannot vote on filling the vacancy. f the vacancy board fails to fill the position within 15 days, the chairperson must petition the court of common pleas to appoint a registered elector. The board of commissioners must provide a public justification if they are unable to fill a vacancy within the specified timeframe.

Vote: 50Y 0N; Argall, Brown; Coleman; Miller.

House Bill 450

Also known as the Main Street Act, the bill aims to extend the duration of grants provided for community revitalization efforts. Specifically, it allows the state Department of Community and Economic Development to grant up to an additional five years for administrative costs associated with employing a Main Street manager if it is deemed beneficial for the community’s revitalization goals

Vote: 49Y 1N; yes, Argall, Brown and Miller; no, Coleman

House Bill 1409

This bill grants the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission the authority to set fees and further provides for license, permit, and issuing agent fees.

Vote: 47Y 3N; yes, Argall, Brown; Coleman and Miller.

House Bill 843

The bill mandates the development of comprehensive plans for counterterrorism, including preparedness and response strategies. It includes provisions for the construction and implementation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which facilitates mutual aid and cooperation among states during emergencies.

Vote: 50Y 0N; yes, Argall, Brown, Coleman and Miller.

House Bill 2185

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to ensure that parents and guardians of students receive information about the warning signs of type 1 diabetes.

Vote: 48 yes, 0 no and 2 no vote. Yes, Argall, Brown, Coleman, Miller.

House of Representatives

House Bill 116

This bill focuses on recurring subscriptions. It requires companies to notify consumers before each automatic renewal, be transparent about renewal terms, and allow online cancellations if the subscription was initially made online.

Vote: 202 yes, 0 no and 1 on leave; voting yes, Jamie Barton, Ryan Mackenzie, Zack Mako, Jack Rader, Doyle Heffley, Tim Twardzik

Senate Bill 1160

The bill recognizes Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29.

Vote: 202Y 0N 1LVE; yes, Barton, Mackenzie, Mako, Rader, Heffley, Twardzik.

House Bill 2625

The bill aims to increase funding for public transportation. The bill proposes raising the share of the state’s sales tax revenue allocated to the Public Transportation Trust Fund from 4.4% to 6.15%. This change is expected to generate approximately $282 million in additional funding for transit services across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

Vote: 111Y 91N 1LVE; yes, Mackenzie; no, Barton, Mako, Rader, Heffley and Twardzik.

Senate Bill 1056

The bill aims to establish the Keystone Saves Program, which includes the creation of the Keystone Saves Program Fund, the Keystone Saves Administrative Fund, and the Keystone Saves Program Advisory Board. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Treasury Department regarding investment and fiduciary duties for the program’s implementation.

Vote: 107Y 95N 1LVE; voting no, Barton, Mackenzie, Mako, Rader, Heffley and Twardzik.

Senate Bill 1237

The bill aims to amend the Underground Utility Line Protection Law, also known as the PA One Call Law. This bill includes updates to definitions and duties for facility owners, designers, excavators, and project owners. It also addresses compliance orders, administrative penalties, and the recovery of penalties or forfeitures.

Vote: 197Y 6N 1LVE. Voting yes, Barton, Mackenzie, Mako, Rader, Heffley, Twardzik

House Bill 2094

The bill aims to modernize Pennsylvania’s filial responsibility laws. These laws currently hold family members liable for the medical bills of indigent relatives. The bill proposes that family members would only be liable if the indigent person has colluded with them to hide assets within the past five years or if the family member fails to cooperate in the Medical Assistance process.

Vote: 202Y 0N 1LVE. Yes, Barton, Mackenzie, Mako, Rader, Heffley and Twardzik.

House Bill 1379

The bill aims to provide financial relief to retired municipal police officers, firefighters, educators, and other public employees. The bill proposes cost-of-living adjustments for these retirees starting in 2025. Key provisions include supplemental annuities for retired municipal police officers and firefighters, with increases ranging from $75 to $300 per month based on the length of retirement. Similar COLA adjustments for retired teachers and state workers, with increases ranging from 15% to 24.5%.

Vote: 135Y 67N 1LVE. Voting yes, Barton, Mackenzie, Rader, Heffley. No, Mako, Twardzik.

Senate Bill 1230

The bill mandates the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated elevator safety code. It aims to enhance safety standards for elevators across the state, reflecting the need for modernized regulations in light of evolving technology and safety practices.

Vote: 137Y 65N 1LVE; yes, Barton, Rader; no, Mackenzie; Mako, Heffley and Twardzik

Senate Bill 155

The bill provides clearer definitions related to the Lemon Law, which governs the rights of consumers regarding defective vehicles. It specifies the obligations of manufacturers concerning repairs for vehicles deemed lemons. The bill outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers regarding refunds or replacements when a vehicle cannot be satisfactorily repaired

Vote: 202Y 0N 1LVE; voting yes, Barton, Mackenzie, Mako, Rader, Heffley, Twardzik

Compiled by Jill Mack and Jarrad Hedes