House, Senate Ag Committees to Examine Wolf’s ‘PA Farm Bill’

Mar. 19, 2019 /

WHAT: The House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will hold a joint public hearing to examine the Wolf Administration’s comprehensive “PA Farm Bill.” The proposal includes 17 separate initiatives to address issues such as business development and succession planning, processing capabilities, regulatory burdens, workforce needs, rapid response capabilities to address threats such as spotted lanternfly, agriculture infrastructure and market opportunities.

DiGirolamo, Collett to Unveil Safe Staffing Legislation

Mar. 19, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) and Sen. Maria Collett, RN (D-Montgomery/Bucks) will lead a press conference to announce their legislation to set safe nurse-to-patient limits in Pennsylvania hospitals. The bills are an important part of keeping patients in hospitals and acute long-term settings safe, and ensuring they receive the best care possible.

Committee to Consider Two Human Services Bills

Mar. 18, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) will hold a voting meeting to consider House Resolution 147 (Gregory) directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of unused properties, buildings, and facilities owned by the Commonwealth and how to repurpose them for addiction treatment and recovery supports. This resolution was discussed at the committee hearing on March 12. Additionally, the committee will recommend House Bill 316 (Owlett) be re-referred to the House Children and Youth Committee. This legislation establishes a task force focused on the impact the opioid abuse epidemic is having on the children of the Commonwealth.

Cox, House Committee to Consider Bill to Inform Workers of Their Rights and Repeal Unconstitutional Law Related to Public Unions

Mar. 15, 2019 /

WHAT: House Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) will host a committee meeting where members will consider House Bill 785, introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (York), that would provide non-union workers in public-sector union shops with information about their First Amendment rights and also repeal “fair share fee” provisions of Pennsylvania’s labor laws that were recently deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Committee to Examine Heffley Bills to Improve Addiction Treatment Programs

Mar. 11, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on House Bills 424 and 596, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon). The bills would create a bed registry and a warm hand-off for addiction treatment. The Blue Guardian program from Lehigh County, which was the inspiration for the warm hand-off legislation, will make a presentation.

Committee to Examine Issues of Bed Registry, Warm Hand-Off

Mar. 11, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on House Bills 424 and 596, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon). The bills would create a bed registry and a warm hand-off for addiction treatment. The Blue Guardian program from Lehigh County, which was the inspiration for the warm hand-off legislation, will make a presentation.

Policy Committee Continues Focus on Good Jobs for PA with Visit to The Wistar Institute

Mar. 04, 2019 /

WHAT: As part of the House Republican Caucus’s Good Jobs for PA (#GoodJobs4PA) legislative package, the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will visit Philadelphia’s Wistar Institute to discuss its mission as well as its direct relationship with the Community College of Philadelphia to educate and train students for careers in the biomedical field.

PA Game, Fish and Boat Commissions to Appear Before House Committee

Feb. 25, 2019 /

WHAT: Members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will question both the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission PFBC) about their annual reports. Subjects to be discussed include the desire of both commissions to set their own license fees.

Good Jobs for PA Are Focus of Pittsburgh Trade Union Tours

Feb. 22, 2019 /

WHAT: As part of the House Republican Caucus’s Good Jobs for PA (#GoodJobs4PA) legislative package, the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will tour three locations in western Pennsylvania to promote workforce development. An important element of the workforce development issue in Pennsylvania is linking the trades with qualified workers. Three unions in Pittsburgh have taken a hands-on approach to this method by developing their own successful training and apprenticeship programs.

Caucus Hearing on Human Trafficking in Southeast Pennsylvania

Feb. 20, 2019 /

WHAT: The Southeast Republican Caucus will take testimony from Bucks County State law enforcement and advocacy groups on human trafficking in Southeast Pennsylvania. They will also discuss House Bill 12 that expands the definition of human trafficking to include any individual who patronizes or advertises a victim of trafficking.