Ag Committee to Visit Elk County for Update on Forest Products Industry

May. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: Members of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold an informational meeting to receive an update on the state’s forest products industry. The meeting is being hosted by Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Elk/Clearfield).

Kauffman Leads Committee in Advancing Legislation to Protect Homeowners, Minors and Victims of Sexual Extortion

May. 14, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee today approved three House bills to increase the safety of Pennsylvania homeowners, minors and those who are the targets of sexual extortion, reported Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the committee. One of the bills is being sponsored by Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton), also a member of the committee.

Committee Approves Wentling Bill to Help Curb Predatory Animals

May. 14, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – To assist hunters of predatory animals that are mainly active at night, the House Game and Fisheries Committee approved House Bill 1188, introduced by Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer). Wentling’s bill would give the state Game Commission the authority to allow hunters to use thermal and night vision equipment.

Bipartisan Bill to End Child Marriage Moves Out of Committee

May. 14, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) and Perry Warren (D-Bucks) announced that legislation that would prohibit child marriage in Pennsylvania before the age of 18 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee today and can now be considered by the full House.

House Committee Approves Cox Bill to Fight Opioid Epidemic

May. 14, 2019 /

House Committee Approves Cox Bill to Fight Opioid Epidemic

HARRISBURG – The state House Health Committee today approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) that would help health care professionals identify and treat patients who previously overdosed on opioids.

Boback, Toohil Push for Passage of Foster Care Legislation

May. 14, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – The challenges faced by young people as they age out of foster care was the focus of an informational hearing conducted by the House Children and Youth Committee today. Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Lackawanna/Wyoming), who chairs the committee, and Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), who serves as committee vice chair, also held a news conference with stakeholders to discuss legislation that would make improvements to Pennsylvania’s foster care system.

Policy Committee to Host Federal Official at Energy Roundtable

May. 14, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will travel to Beaver County to welcome U.S. Department of Energy’s Under Secretary Mark Wesley Menezes for a roundtable discussion about energy issues in Pennsylvania.

Committees to Examine Challenges for those with Disabilities when Traveling

May. 14, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), and the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Rep. David Millard (R-Berwick), will hold a second joint informational meeting on the challenges people with disabilities face when traveling.

Kail, Turzai to Discuss Legislation to ‘Energize’ PA’s Economy

May. 14, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will discuss the economic benefits of the Shell manufacturing facility and the “EnergizePA” initiative, a pro-growth, pro-jobs legislative package designed to encourage job growth and redevelop infrastructure with no new fees or taxes.

Committee to Consider Three Human Service Bills, Resolutions

May. 13, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider three proposals. They include measures that would add language in law clarifying that parents have the right to and should be allowed to secure mental health treatment for their children (House Bill 672); define a best practice for loved ones to be notified when a person decides to leave addiction treatment against medical advice (House Bill 1052); and direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the mental health provider shortage in Pennsylvania and issue a report (House Resolution 193).

Boback, Toohil to Discuss Foster Care Legislation at Capitol News Conference

May. 13, 2019 /

WHAT: House Children and Youth Committee Chairman Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Lackawanna/Wyoming) and Vice Chairman Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) will host a news conference to discuss legislation that would improve Pennsylvania’s foster care system. Boback’s measure, House Bill 856, would reinstate the extension of permanent legal custodian and adoption assistance subsidies. Toohil’s proposal, House Bill 1326, would create a program to help foster care youth with obtaining driver’s education, training and costs associated with maintaining an auto insurance policy. House Bill 1276, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster/Dauphin), would create a program to assist foster care youth with the challenges of accessing higher educational opportunities.