Republicans Are Taking Action

What are Republicans doing?

We are taking action on behalf of the millions of frustrated and worried Pennsylvanians. We are acting to help people get back to work and helping government work more efficiently on this crisis.

While working to help mitigate the COVID-19 health crisis, the fact is, people are worried about not having a job, going broke and losing their savings. We are responsibly looking at businesses where people can work safely through social distancing – industry by industry while also following doctor-approved CDC guidelines.

We recognize we are in pandemic, and we recognize everyone is making sacrifices – but we don’t have to trade one pandemic for another – we are acting to find solutions to the long-term impacts – so we can recover, rebuild and grow Pennsylvania once this comes to an end.



Here's What Governor Wolf Has Vetoed

• HB 2787 Authorizes a school entity to determine whether to hold sports and other extracurricular activities and spectators in-person. (155-47). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 11, 9/21/20)
• SB 613 Requires the governor to develop and implement a mitigation plan to allow businesses to operate during the disaster emergency, provided business comply with recommendations by the CDC and CISA. (107-95). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 3, 4/20/20)
• SB 857 Would authorize health care providers to use telemedicine; and to require insurers to provide coverage and reimbursement for its appropriate use by participating network providers. (111-77). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 4, 4/29/20)
• SB 327 Amends the Administrative Code to require the Department of General Services (DGS) to conduct an annual survey of state facility usage; and creates four new articles relating to: COVID-19 Emergency Statutory and Regulatory Suspensions and Waivers; COVID-19 Debt Cost Reduction Review; COVID-19 Cost and Recovery Task Force; COVID-19 Emergency Regulatory Tolling; and COVID-19 County Emergency Mitigation Plan for Businesses. (108-94). VETOED by the governor.  (Veto No. 7, 5/19/20)
• HB 2412 Amends the Administrative Code of 1929 (Code) to add a new Article relating to Emergency COVID-19 provisions regarding issuance of a waiver to the Governor’s Business Closure Order for real estate related activities. (125-77). VETOED by the governor. (Veto No. 6, 5/19/20)
• HB 2388 Amends the Administrative Code to add a new Article relating to Emergency COVID-19 provisions regarding extension of waiver provisions to vehicle dealer activities. (113-89). VETOED by the governor. (Veto No. 5, 5/19/20)
• HR 836  A concurrent resolution that would terminate in part the disaster emergency declaration of March 6, 2020 to the extent the order regulates the conduct of business operations deemed non-life sustaining differently than those deemed life-sustaining under the March 19, 2020 business closure order. (117-85). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in Wolf v. Scarnati et al., strikes down the bipartisan vote to end the ongoing emergency declaration. The ruling held that Article III, Section 9 (Pennsylvania Constitution) requires all concurrent resolutions be submitted to the governor for his approval or disapproval (July 1, 2020). ). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 10, 7/14/20).
• SB 1027  Would amend the Administrative Code of 1929 as it relates to the State Geospatial Coordinating Board; extends expiration date for certain temporary regulations; amends process for the issuance of death certificates by a local registrar; requires a report on implementation of 2020 General Primary Election; adds a new article relating to COVID-19 emergency statutory and regulatory suspensions and waivers; adds a new article relating to COVID-19 debt cost reduction review; extends expiration date for certain surcharge and fees; and adds a new article pertaining to protected licensed operations during emergency. (109-93). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 8, 5/29/20)


Laws Enacted and Bills Awaiting Senate Action

Appropriating Federal Funds 
• Act 2A of 2020 A Supplement to the act of June 28, 2019 (P.L.839, No. 1A), known at the General Appropriation Act of 2019, adding Federal appropriations to the Executive Department of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020. The bill provides federal supplemental appropriations incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. (202-0).
• Act 26 of 2020  Amends Title 35 (Health and Safety) to establish the COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. (202-0).
• Act 30 of 2020  Public School Code/repeals outdated provisions. The omnibus school code funding bill also allows the School Safety and Security Fund to accept federal CARES Act funds, provides COVID-19 disaster emergency school health and safety grants for 2020-21 school year, and COVID-19 disaster emergency targeted health and safety grants for 2020-21 school year. (199-3).

Education Remains a Priority 
• Act 13 of 2020 The emergency Education Code bill, ensures school districts develop a local plan to continue teaching students during the closure of schools, and make their plans available for parents to review. The bill also requires notice be sent to the parents of all special education students for a plan to ensure the students are receiving “free and appropriate public education.” The bill further eliminates the 180-day instruction requirement on all public and non-public schools, and allows the state to increase the number of allowable flexible instruction days and waives the timeline regarding those days. The legislation will ensure teachers are paid, as there will be no loss of state funding due to the health care crisis. Finally, the legislation ensures that once the current crisis has ended, school buses will be ready to provide bus service. (198-0).
• Act 15 of 2020 Protects educational opportunities for low-income students; allowing various contracts to be renegotiated for the period of the school closure.
• Act 30 of 2020  Public School Code/repeals outdated provisions. The omnibus school code funding bill also allows the School Safety and Security Fund to accept federal CARES Act funds, provides COVID-19 disaster emergency school health and safety grants for 2020-21 school year, and COVID-19 disaster emergency targeted health and safety grants for 2020-21 school year. (199-3).
• HB 2788 Would allow a parent to elect to have a child repeat a grade level due to a loss of instruction resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The parental election includes participation in all academic or extracurricular activities. (197-5).

Food and Food Operations 
• HB 2435  Would provide for a Food Establishment Pandemic Disease Remediation Cost Reimbursement Grant Program and requirements for the program to determine what pandemic disease remediation costs would be reimbursed. (202-0).
• HB 2477  Would provide for limited liability for donating food past the labeled date code recommended by the manufacturer. (202-0).
• HB 2506 Would allow any restaurant, bar or private club which serves food or beverages to reopen for outdoor public patronage in any county designated as “yellow” or “green,” as long as state and federal guidelines are followed. (133-69).
• HB 2513  Would allow any restaurant, bar or private club which serves food or beverages to reopen for indoor public patronage in any county designated as “yellow” or “green,” as long as state and federal guidelines are followed. (117-85).

Maintaining Our Elections
• Act 12 of 2020 Delays the state’s April 28 primary election until June 2. (198-0).
• Act 35 of 2020  Would require the Department of State to issue a report on the administration of the 2020 general primary by the Department of State, county boards of elections and voter registration commissions. (201-1).
• SB 1027 Would include provisions requiring a report on implementation of 2020 General Primary Election. (109-93). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 8, 5/29/20)
• HB 2626 Amends the Election Code to make various revisions relating to the election system efficiency, in particular with respect to absentee and mail-in ballots. (112-90).

Managing the Crisis
• HR 867  Would appoint a special committee to monitor the response of the Commonwealth to the COVID-19 emergency. (Adopted 5/18/20, 112-90).  • Act 18 of 2020 Allows for issuance of marriage license without in-person appearances if the register of wills is closed due to the declaration of disaster emergency, and extends the time period for certain professions to obtain an FBI background check. (195-0). • Act 70 of 2020 Would amend the Administrative Code to provide for local health department COVID-19 antibody testing and to add Article XXI-C, COVID-19 Emergency Testing Plan and Reporting. (201-1). • HB 2415 Would amend the Administrative Code to add a new Article relating to COVID-19 Emergency Statutory and Regulatory Suspensions and Waivers which places notification requirements on the Governor when a specific statute or regulation is suspended, modified or waived under the COVID-19 declaration of disaster emergency. (128-74). • HB 2419 Would amend the Administrative Code to add a new Article relating to the establishment of the COVID-19 Cost and Recovery Task Force. (109-93). • HB 2487 Would amend the Public Official Compensation Law to apply a freeze to cost-of-living adjustments through 2021. (202-0). • HB 2540 Would establish a five-person State Epidemiology Advisory Council specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. (198-3). • HB 2541 Would allow the governing body of a county, in consultation with specified county offices and officials, to develop and implement a countywide reopening plan for businesses. (114-87). • HB 2549 Would allow a county to pass a resolution to move to the “green plus” phase of reopening after being in the “green” phase of reopening for at least 14 days. (116-85). • SB 327 Would amend the Administrative Code to require the Department of General Services (DGS) to conduct an annual survey of state facility usage; and creates four new articles relating to: COVID-19 Emergency Statutory and Regulatory Suspensions and Waivers; COVID-19 Debt Cost Reduction Review; COVID-19 Cost and Recovery Task Force; COVID-19 Emergency Regulatory Tolling; and COVID-19 County Emergency Mitigation Plan for Businesses. (108-94). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 7, 5/19/20) • SB 613 Would require the governor to develop and implement a mitigation plan to allow businesses to operate during the disaster emergency, provided business comply with recommendations by the CDC and CISA. (107-95). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 3, 4/20/20) • SB 1027 Would amend the Administrative Code of 1929 (Code) as it relates to the State Geospatial Coordinating Board; extends expiration date for certain temporary regulations; amends process for the issuance of death certificates by a local registrar; requires a report on implementation of 2020 General Primary Election; adds a new article relating to COVID-19 emergency statutory and regulatory suspensions and waivers; adds a new article relating to COVID-19 debt cost reduction review; extends expiration date for certain surcharge and fees; adds a new article pertaining to protected licensed operations during emergency. (109-93). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 8, 5/29/20) • SB 1166 Would amend the state Constitution to prohibit denying or abridging equality of rights because of race or ethnicity;  not require concurrent orders and resolutions on questions relating to the termination or extensions of emergency declaration to be presented to the governor before it takes effect; and limit a disaster emergency declaration to be in effect for no more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution by the Legislature, and prohibit the governor from issuing a new emergency declaration based upon the same circumstances without the approving passage of a concurrent resolution by the legislature. (115-86).
• HB 2548 Amends the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, or Act 47, to extend all current recovery and exit plans by 18 months. (202-0).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorder
• HB 1439 Would amend Title 40 (Insurance) requiring certification of compliance by an insurer with federal and state law governing mental health parity. (202-0).
• HB 1696  Would amend the Insurance Company Law (Act 284 of 1921) to require insurers to conduct analyses and ensure availability to the Insurance Department detailing mental health parity compliance. (202-0).

Opening Opportunities and Businesses Safely
• HR 836  A concurrent resolution that would terminate in part the disaster emergency declaration of March 6, 2020 to the extent the order regulates the conduct of business operations deemed non-life sustaining differently than those deemed life-sustaining under the March 19, 2020 business closure order. (117-85). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in Wolf v. Scarnati et al., strikes down the bipartisan vote to end the ongoing emergency declaration. The ruling held that Article III, Section 9 (Pennsylvania Constitution) requires all concurrent resolutions be submitted to the governor for his approval or disapproval (July 1, 2020). ). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 10, 7/14/20).
• Act 15 of 2020 Also allows for remote notarization during the COVID-19 emergency; authorize any agency, department, authority, commission, board, council, governing body, or other entity of a political subdivision to conduct hearings, meetings, proceedings and other business through authorized telecommunication devices for the duration of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration. (202-0).
•  Act 21 of 2020  Amends the Liquor Code to provide for prepared beverages and mixed drinks for off-premise consumption. (193-9).
• HB 2369 Would establish the COVID-19 Grant and Loan Program to assist COVID-19 impacted businesses. (202-0).
• HB 2370 Amends Title 57 (Notaries Public) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial procedure) to permit notaries in the Commonwealth to notarize documents electronically via audio-visual communication. (202-0).
• HB 2376 Amends Title 35 to include sections relating to retail store closure during the declaration of disaster emergency that allow re-opening of retail stores able to meet certain requirements; and for contactless and curbside business operations for certain businesses during the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration. (112-90).
• HB 2388  Would require the Secretary of DCED to immediately issue a waiver to the Governor’s Business Closure Order for the following businesses who can adhere to certain mitigation measures: vehicle dealers, lawn and garden centers; cosmetology salons and barber shops; messenger service and agent service activities; animal grooming services; and manufacturing operations. (123-79). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 5, 5/19/20)
• HB 2400 Amends the Administrative Code to add a new Article entitled Emergency COVID-19 provisions to extend the waiver of the Governor’s Business Closure Order to all public and private construction activities. (111-91).
• HB 2412 Would require the Secretary of DCED to immediately issue a waiver to the Governor’s Business Closure Order for legal services, residential and commercial real estate related activities. (134-68). VETOED by the governor (Veto No. 6, 5/19/20)
• HB 2429 Amends the Administrative Code of 1929 (Code) to add a new Article relating to Emergency COVID-19 provisions regarding extension of waiver provisions to lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores. (133-69).
• HB 2433 Amends the Administrative Code to add a new Article relating to Emergency COVID-19 provisions regarding issuance of a waiver to the Governor’s Business Closure Order for messenger service and agent service activities. (112-90).
• HB 2440  Would establish the Hunting, Firearm and Ammunition Life-Sustaining Business Act. (124-78).
• HB 2459  Would require the Secretary of DCED to immediately issue a waiver to the Governor’s Business Closure Order to cosmetology salons and barber shops to provide hair services that can adhere to certain mitigation requirements. (120-82).
• HB 2517 Would expand DCED waiver exemptions to residential cleaning services. (119-83).

Protecting Our Rights
• HB 1747 Would remove restrictions on firearms during an emergency declaration. (127-74).
• HB 2530 Amends Section 4 of the Religious Freedom Protection Act to ensure no order issued pursuant to the general authority of the Governor and disaster emergencies, nor any control measure taken under the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955, may infringe on the right to assemble to worship according to a person’s faith, impact the ability to travel to or from a place of worship or authorize any adverse action against a religious institution or members of a religious organization for exercising their religion. (202-0).

Public Records
• HB 1189 Would require health care facilities to notify the Department of Health (DOH) with certain demographic data and for DOH to use the data to publish a report. (202-0).
•  Act 77 of 2020 Would amend the Administrative Code to add a new Article relating to Access to Public Records During Disaster Declaration. (202-0).
• HB 2505 Would require records retention for all records in possession of executive agencies, contractors, or their members, employees or officers related to the COVID-19 disaster declaration. (202-0).

Looking after our Seniors 
• Act 24 of 2020 An Act providing for regional response health collaborations to promote health in facilities by supporting COVID-19 readiness and response and improving the quality of infection prevention; and making emergency appropriations for human services. Also, provides for various fiscal code allocations as part of the 2020-21 fiscal budget (202-0).
• HB 1076 Would amend the Taxpayer Relief Act to allow the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions to respond to the impacts of the novel coronavirus: to permit DOR to reimburse a claim for a property tax/rent rebate for 2019 immediately and provides authorization for all public school district to implement a senior tax reduction incentive volunteer exchange program. (202-0).
• HB 2437  Would create the Emergency Declaration Data Transparency Act, requiring DOH to publish long term care facility-specific COVID-19 data, report data to appropriate licensing departments, and requires DOH to summarize the infection control measures taken. (202-0).
• HB 2509  Would establish the Long-Term Care Facility Personal Protective Equipment Reimbursement Grant Program. (202-0).

• Act 9 of 2020 Supports health care facilities and workers that are treating patients affected by the virus. (198-0).
• Act 10 of 2020 Helps Pennsylvania’s frontline health care facilities by allowing the secretary of the Budget to transfer up to $50 million to purchase medical equipment and supplies for hospitals, nursing facilities, and emergency medical services to meet patient and staff needs to respond to COVID-19. (198-0).
• Act 17 of 2020  Provides Basic Life Support (BLS) staffing waivers for all counties and creates new Chapters for COVID-19 Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits and COVID-19 Benefits for Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. (195-0).
• HB 1189 Extends benefits for an employee subject to Act 193 of 1935, commonly referred to as the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law or the Heart & Lung Act, who contracts or is diagnosed with, or is in quarantine due to exposure to, the novel coronavirus identified in the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, extends the expiration for PennDOT Renewals; and establishes a Volunteer emergency responders employer tax credit. (202-0).
• HB 777 Would amend the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to provide for the distribution of proceeds for operating expenses for one year after the emergency declaration for COVID-19 expires or the declaration is terminated. (202-0). 
• HB 2413 Amends the Fiscal Code (Act 176 of 1929) to provide assistance for volunteer service organizations to respond to the novel coronavirus- includes $10 million to assist the operations of the commonwealth’s volunteer service organizations related to COVID-19 response and $30 million to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). (202-0).

Taxpayer Relief and Protections
• Act 15 of 2020 Also provides taxpayer relief by authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to extend the discount period to Aug. 31, 2020, and/or waive any penalty or late fee until Dec. 31, 2020, to provide relief for taxpayers.
• HB 1076  Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act to allow the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions to respond to the impacts of the novel coronavirus: to permit DOR to reimburse a claim for a property tax/rent rebate for 2019 immediately and provides authorization for all public school district to implement a senior tax reduction incentive volunteer exchange program. (202-0).
• HB 1822 Provides for changes to the Local Government Capital Project Loan Program, provides employment protections for employees during the pandemic, and provides for restrictions on Special Funds. (105-97).
• HB 2392 Requires the IFO to include critical risk factors in the assessment of the current and future fiscal conditions of the Commonwealth, and track monies distributed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
• HB 2408 Amends the Fiscal Code to exempt recovery rebates and Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act from state and local taxation and increase endowment spending limitations for nonprofit corporations and charitable trusts. (202-0).
•  Act 37 of 2020 Amends the Administrative Code to require the identification of and review of all outstanding debt obligations of the Commonwealth and its authorities, commissions, agencies, boards or other State-authorized entities to be conducted by the Treasury Department. (131-71).
• HB 2497 Would exempt a forgiveness of indebtedness granted under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. (201-1).
• SB 1125 Would authorize school districts to extend the discount period and waive the addition of penalties for payment of school district real estate taxes due for the academic year beginning July 1, 2020. (201-0).


Unemployment Compensation During the Pandemic to Help Families 
• Act 9 of 2020 Also updates the state Unemployment compensation law to extend relief to affected employees. (198-0).