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Harrisburg Happenings

A report on the Legislative Session Week of January 25, 2021

Dear Friend,

            I am pleased to send you my Session Wrap Up e-newsletter. This e-newsletter features events and legislative activities during the Session Week of January 25, 2021.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatorlaughlin.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the page.  If you would like to contact my office, please go to my web page and click the “contact” button.  Please do not “reply” directly to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Dan Laughlin

Senate Approves $912 Million COVID-19 Relief Package

The Senate approved a comprehensive $912 million relief measure to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 109 allocates $569.8 million for Rental and Utility Assistance, $197 million for education programs, and $145 million to support Pennsylvania’s struggling hospitality industry as it copes with the devastation created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s mandated closings and restrictions. 

We have a limited amount of funds available and a wide range of COVID-related needs in Pennsylvania, so we looked at way to best use these resources and provide the greatest amount of relief possible. Certainly, housing assistance and support for our restaurants are right at the top of the list. We also wanted to support schools and important educational programs that did not receive funds from the state or federal government.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Approves Constitutional Amendment Limiting Disaster Declarations

The Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 2 includes three proposed amendments to the State Constitution. The exact language of constitutional amendments must be approved by the General Assembly in two consecutive legislative sessions before going to the voters for final approval. If Senate Bill 2 is approved by the House of Representatives, the amendments could appear on the ballot as early as the upcoming spring Primary Election.

We are moving forward to put these constitutional questions before the voters as soon as possible. To be clear, we are not taking away the Governor’s power to declare an emergency. However, it is important that the General Assembly – as the people’s direct representatives to state government — have a say in the process. These amendments, if approved by the voters, would restore balance to Pennsylvania government.

Currently, a Governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed by the Governor indefinitely. Under the constitutional amendment in Senate Bill 2 the emergency declaration would be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly approves a longer duration.

Senate Bill 2 also provides for a constitutional amendment prohibiting the denial of equal rights based on race or ethnicity, bringing the Pennsylvania Constitution in line with the U.S. Constitution.

Senate Approves Bill Increasing Penalties for Child Pornography

The Senate approved Senate Bill 87 on Wednesday. The bill increases the penalties in cases of child pornography in which the child is under the age of 10 or is prepubescent. This includes penalties for anyone who views, possesses, disseminates, photographs, videotapes or otherwise depicts these children engaging in sexual acts.

The bill also provides for sentencing enhancements for those who sexually abuse children that are known to them and would allow the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to develop guidelines for these crimes.

The bill also creates a special Task Force on Child Pornography to review all laws pertaining to child pornography and make recommendations to improve the investigation and prosecution of offenders to ensure the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable.

The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

Committee Roundup

Appropriations

In addition to Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 87 and Senate Bill 109, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 8 on Tuesday. The bill amends the Pennsylvania Constitution to create a two-year window for retroactive lawsuits from victims whose statute of limitations has already expired.

Judiciary

In addition to Senate Bill 8 and Senate Bill 87, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved five  bills on Monday.

Senate Bill 78 establishes procedures for custody proceedings to better protect children.

Senate Bill 81 provides for expert witnesses in cases of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Senate Bill 84 amends the County Code to state the first assistant district attorney will become the district attorney in the event of a vacancy for Class 2A through Eighth-Class counties until the next municipal election. 

Senate Bill 85 amends the Second-Class County Code to state the first assistant district attorney will become the district attorney in the event of a vacancy for Second-Class Counties until the next municipal election.

Senate Bill 86 amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to require counties under a home rule charter to follow the procedures for succession under the county codes in the event of a vacancy in the office of district attorney.

State Government

The Senate State Government Committee approved three bills on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 106 amends the state Constitution to allow gubernatorial candidates to select their running mate. 

Senate Bill 113 designates the Pennsylvania March as Pennsylvania’s official march.

Senate Bill 116 updates and modernizes the History Code.

Transportation

The Senate Transportation Committee approved two bills on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 49 designates a bridge in Johnstown, Cambria County, as the Reverend Andrew William Tilly, Jr., Bridge.

Senate Bill 55 designates a bridge in Croyle Township, Cambria County, as the Private Fredrick Kinley Memorial Bridge.

Urban Affairs & Housing

The Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee approved Senate Bill 109 on Monday.

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee approved Senate Bill 2 on Friday, January 22.

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