Jan. 09, 2025
HARRISBURG – Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/Washington) took the oath of office for his second term on Tuesday in the chamber of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and secured a seat on the powerful Judiciary Committee, among three others.
As a practicing attorney and skilled litigator, he looks forward to providing legal expertise to the committee.
“Last legislative session, the House Judiciary Committee had the most bills referred to it, reported out to the full House and enacted into law,” Kuzma said. “The committee works to ensure that laws are current and address important matters of everyday life. I believe this is one of the most important committees in the House and where I can be the most effective. In the prior session, this committee passed my legislation banning gas station heroin. I look forward to working with the committee again this session to accomplish the same.”
The House Judiciary Committee focuses on issues and legislation relating to the Judicial Code; Crimes Code; Uniform Firearms Act; Controlled Substances, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; and the Domestic Relations Code. Some of the topics overseen by the committee include identity theft, firearms laws, domestic violence, child abuse laws, state prisons and criminal law.
For this term, Kuzma will also serve on the Game and Fisheries, Local Government and Professional Licensure committees.
The House Game and Fisheries Committee receives and reviews annual performance and status reports from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The committee also addresses all legislation that affects the commissions.
Generally, the Local Government Committee reviews bills that would amend the municipal codes by which local governments operate. This could include legislation related to local government purchases, real estate assessment policies and statewide pensions for municipal police officers. Pennsylvania has more than 2,500 local government units of all sizes. The committee also works closely with the Local Government Commission, a bipartisan legislative service agency that provides research assistance on issues pertaining to local governments.
The Professional Licensure Committee maintains jurisdiction over all legislation dealing with the 29 professional and occupational licensing boards located administratively in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) in the Department of State. Professionals range from physicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeral directors. Additionally, the committee is charged with reviewing the various regulations put forward by the Department of State regarding licensed professionals.
The 39th Legislative District includes Elizabeth, Forward and South Park townships and Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills and West Elizabeth boroughs in Allegheny County; and Union and part of Carroll townships, Finleyville and New Eagle boroughs, and the city of Monongahela in Washington County.
Representative Andrew Kuzma
39th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepKuzma.com / Facebook.com/RepKuzma