WEEK IN REVIEW - Pennsylvania State Association of Township

WEEK IN REVIEW
Grassroots Lobbying
Network
April 17, 2015
News for the Week of April 13
Both chambers of the General Assembly are in session next week for the last three session days of April.
PSATS Legislative staff will be at the 93rd Annual PSATS Conference and Trade show and look forward
to seeing all of you there! Stop by and meet us at the PSATS Grassroots Reception, the Legislative
Reception, or in the PSATS Booth in the exhibit hall. See you in Hershey!
PSATS Annual Grassroots Lobbying Network Reception: See you on Sunday!
This reception is being held in conjunction with the PSATS Annual Conference on Sunday, April 19th
from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Aztec Room of the Hershey Lodge.
Click here for more information on the reception. If you have not registered and will be at the
conference, you still can show up to this reception. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in
Hershey!
PSATS Annual Legislative Reception: Limited on-site Registration Available!
We cordially invite all members of the PSATS Grassroots Lobbying network to the annual PSATS
Legislative Reception. The reception will be held in the Atrium of the Commonwealth Keystone
building from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Monday, April 20th. All members of the Pennsylvania General
Assembly have been invited to attend. The PA Department of Agriculture will be joining PSATS in cosponsoring the reception with the participation of the PA Preferred providers for refreshments. Members
can register for the reception when registering for the Annual Conference.
Legislation to Reduce Township Supervisor Term Length
HB 864 (PN 1059), would amend the Second Class Township Code to reduce the number of years in a
township supervisor’s term from six to two. This legislation would not change the term length of
supervisors currently in office, but would take effect after the existing terms expire.
PSATS is opposed to this legislation and we are asking all township officials to contact their
representatives to urge them to oppose this proposal. Thank you to all of the township officials that
have already contacted their legislators on this issue. Townships with questions on this legislation are
encouraged to contact PSATS Legislative Analyst Melissa Morgan at (717) 763-0930 ext. 178 or
mmorgan@psats.org.
UCC Third Party Agency Legislation: We Need Your Help!
HB 782 (PN 925) would amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) to require
municipalities that exclusively use third party agencies to enforce the UCC to appoint at least two such
agencies. PSATS is opposed to this legislation and we are asking for your help!
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If your township exclusively uses one third party agency, we are asking you to provide us with examples
of how you work with them to ensure that they are performing their job in a timely, efficient, and cost
effective manner. Examples would include response time requirements, regulations established by your
township, contract agreements, how your fee structure was determined, and how you handle a complaint
about a third party, just to name a few. The House Labor Relations Committee has scheduled a hearing
for May 7th so please send any and all information to mmorgan@psats.org or contact PSATS Legislative
Analyst Melissa Morgan at (717) 763-0930 ext. 178.
Help Shape Pennsylvania’s Transportation System!
Every two years the State Transportation Commission (STC) and the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation (PennDOT) update the current twelve year transportation program (TYP). The TYP
outlines PennDOT’s next 12 years of projects. The first step in the 2017 TYP update process it to hear
from you.
Learn more about the STC, the recently released Transportation Performance Report, and how to
participate in the TYP Update.
Click here to learn more and to participate in the TYP Survey (April 16- May 29).
More News From Around the State
Training Available for Dirt and Gravel, Low-Volume Roads
The Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies is offering seven sessions of its two-day Dirt &
Gravel Roads Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance training. The training is available at no cost to
townships involved in Pennsylvania’s Dirt, Gravel, and Low-Volume Road Program.
To be eligible to apply for dirt and gravel or low-volume road grants, the township official in charge of
work plan development and project implementation must have completed the required environmentally
sensitive maintenance training within the past 5 years.
The Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies is offering free ESM training sessions on the following
dates:
 May 6-7 — Washington County
 May 26-27 — Luzerne County
 June 2-3 — Warren County
 June 16-17 — Lycoming County
Click here to register and for more information. Pre-registration is required to attend and only online
registrations will be accepted.
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Federal News
Content contributed by the National Association of Towns & Townships (NATaT).
Clock is Ticking on Transportation Reauthorization
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) told reporters during
his two-day "road show" last week on long-term transportation funding that he plans to meet with House
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) as early as this week. Pressure is mounting
for Congress to identify a long-term funding mechanism for highway and mass transit programs ahead
of a May 31 deadline. State and federal lawmakers and stakeholder groups held events across the
country April 9 as part of the national "Stand Up For Transportation Day" to bring attention to the need
for federal transportation funding.
Click here to read more on the Transportation “road show.”
EPA Sends WOTUS Rule to White House for Interagency Review
In a blog post last week, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced that an updated draft of the
Clean Water Act rule defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) has been sent to the Office of
Management and Budget for interagency review. The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began the
controversial rulemaking process last April, and have stated that the updated draft rule addresses
concerns raised by many stakeholders. While the text of the updated rule will not be available until it is
finalized, Administrator McCarthy's blog post provides a preview of the changes that have been made.
Click here to read Administrator McCarthy’s blog post.
EPA Adds Drinking Water to Compliance Dashboard
EPA has added a Safe Drinking Water Act tab to its compliance dashboard, a tool that provides an
overview of the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) dataset. The dashboard provides
annual statistics for public water systems and enforcement actions and allows users to connect to
detailed facility reports for water systems in their community. The ECHO compliance dashboard also
includes tabs for the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), the
Clean Air Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Click here to view EPA’s compliance dashboard.
Legislative Action
The township-related legislation below saw action this week in the Pennsylvania General Assembly:
Real Estate Disclosure Forms: Stormwater Facilities - HB 341 (PN 363) would amend Title 68 (Real
Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require that property disclosure statements
contain a description of the location and condition of “storm water facilities” and “sinkholes” as well as
a statement disclosing whether the ongoing maintenance of the facilities is the responsibility of the
purchaser or the municipality.
Action: Third consideration and final passage in the House (190-3).
Status: Has passed the House and is before the Senate.
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Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act — HB 152 (PN 566) would amend
the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to extend the filing period for this
death benefit from 90 days to three years and clarify who may file the certificate.
Action: Third consideration and final passage in the Senate (49-0).
Status: Has passed the House and the Senate and is before the House Rules Committee for concurrence
on Senate amendments.
Transit revitalization investment districts — SB 385 (PN 738) would amend the Transit
Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Act (Act 238 of 2004) to encourage private development at
mass transit hubs by streamlining the process for creating a new TRID, establish guidelines for the use
of TRID funding, and create a new “tax capture” funding mechanism.
Action: Amended on second consideration in the Senate.
Status: Before the Senate.
Private employer leave — SB 333 (PN 568) would amend Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to prohibit a local government from enacting an ordinance to require
private employers to provide employees with any form of leave that is not required by federal or state
law. This bill would not apply to leave provided to a local government’s own employees.
Action: Third consideration and final passage in the Senate (27-12).
Status: Hass passed the Senate and is before the House.
County Demolition Funding Program — SB 486 (PN 749) would authorize counties to collect a
special deed and mortgage recording fee of no more than $15 to be deposited into a county demolition
fund.
Action: First consideration in the Senate.
Status: Before the Senate.
Blighted property — SB 330 (PN 750) would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to decrease the
number of citations from 4 to 2 that must be issued under the same section of a municipal housing code
before a municipality may bring charges against a neglectful property owner.
Action: First consideration in the Senate.
Status: Before the Senate.
County Demolition and Property Rehab Fund — SB 482 (PN 748) would authorize counties to
collect a fee of no more than 10 percent on the final sale price of a property sold at a judicial sale to be
used exclusively for the demolition and rehabilitation of blighted property in the county where the fees
are collected.
Action: First consideration in the Senate.
Status: Before the Senate.
Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act — HB 17 (PN 1184) and HB 787 (PN 1188) would amend
the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act (Act 140 of 1978) to require a public employee or public
official to forfeit their pension if they are convicted or pleads guilty or no defense to any felony offense.
Action: First consideration in the House.
Status: Before the House.
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Deteriorating Property Revitalization — HB 613 (PN 685) would allow developers and property
owners to receive a tax abatement incentive for new construction in deteriorated areas of communities
and improvements to certain deteriorated industrial, commercial, business and residential property.
Action: First consideration in the House.
Status: Before the House.
911 Emergency Communications — HB 911 (PN 1216) would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety)
relating to 911 telephone service to charge a uniform fee on all devices or services, including providing
911 communications as required under federal law. Additionally, the bill would establish a 911 board to
advise PEMA on emergency communication guidelines and regulations. The funds collected would be used
to enhance, operate, and maintain the 911 system.
This legislation would fulfill a PSATS resolution.
Action: First consideration in the House.
Status: Before the House.
* * Looking for this week’s issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin? Click here* *
Capitol Calendar
Legislative Committee Meetings Week of April 20:
MONDAY - 4/20/15
House Commerce
11:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
To consider: HB 621 Major, Amends PA Recorder of Deeds Act re conditions; HB 810 Thomas, Amends
Title 64 re second stage loan program; HB 837 Brown, Act re prize linked savings.
House Insurance and House Health
11:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Joint informational meeting on the impact of ACA on PhRMA.
Joint Legislative Conservation Committee
12:00 p.m., Room 8E-A, East Wing
Environmental Issues Forum: Chesapeake Bay Economic Impact Study.
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda TBA.
TUESDAY - 4/21/15
House State Government
8:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
To consider: HB 153 Knowles, Joint Resolution re size of General Assembly; HB 384 Keller, Joint
Resolution re General Assembly size.
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House Finance
9:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
To consider: HB 421 Samuelson, Amends Taxpayer Relief Act re property tax; HB 614 Boback, Amends
Tax Reform Code re CRIZ; HB 683 Rapp, Amends Taxpayer Relief Act re veterans; HB 752 Christiana,
Amends Tax Reform Code re EITC & OSTC programs; HB 860 Saylor, Act re property tax relief.
House Gaming Oversight
9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Public hearing on current 1 1/3 ownership provision vs. surrounding states.
House Tourism and Recreational Development
9:30 a.m., Room B31 Main Capitol
Informational meeting on: HB 794 Gillespie, Amends County Code re hotel tax.
Senate Transportation
9:30 a.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing
To consider the nominations of Leslie Richards for Secretary of Transportation and William Lieberman
for Commissioner of the Turnpike Commission and to consider: SB 284 Baker, Amends Title 75 re
Honoring Our Veterans plate; SB 398 White, Amends Title 20 re organ donation; HB 150 Maloney,
Amends Title 75 re Share the Road plate.
House Transportation
9:45 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
Informational meeting with the PA AAA Federation to discuss their legislative priorities and
transportation issues immediately following a voting meeting to consider: HB 501 Keller, Act re Pfc.
Harold “Sam” E. Barrick Bridge; HB 779 Masser, Act re Staff Sergeant Thomas Baysore Highway; HB
919 Davis, Act re Sgt. George Stuckey Memorial Road.
House Judiciary
10:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol
To consider: HB 74 Kauffman, Amends Title 18 re endangering a child; HB 122 Delozier, Amends Title
20 re transfer limit to minors; HB 124 Delozier, Amends Title 23 re protection from abuse; HB 410
Hackett, Amends Title 23 re child custody and support; HB 424 Simmons, Amends Title 18 re
concealing death of child.
Senate Urban Affairs & Housing and House Urban Affairs
10:00 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building
Joint informational meeting on presentation by The Community Association of overview of Title 68
regarding condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities.
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda TBA.
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WEDNESDAY - 4/22/15
House Education
9:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
To consider: HB 833 Rapp, Amends Public School Code re courses of study.
House Consumer Affairs
9:15 a.m., Room B31 Main Capitol
Informational meeting on the status and economic benefits of the Mariner East Pipeline Project.
House Aging and Older Adult Services
9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Informational meeting to hear a presentation by the PA State Data Center on Aging Demographics in
Pennsylvania.
House Environmental Resources and Energy
9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
To consider: HB 398 Killion, Thomas Amends Solid Waste Management Act re residual.
House Professional Licensure
9:30 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol
Public hearing on: HB 246 Dunbar, George Amends Barbers’ License Law re manager-barbers.
House Liquor Control
9:30 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
To consider: HB 189 Sonney, Amends Liquor Code re direct wine shipment HB 619 Simmons, Justin
Amends Liquor Code re wine auction permit.
Senate Public Health and Welfare (New)
9:30 a.m., Room 156 Main Capitol
To consider the nomination of Theodore Dallas as the Secretary of Human Services.
House Insurance
10:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
To consider: HB 972 Pickett, Tina Amends Insurance Company Law re delivery.
Senate Democratic Policy Committee
1:30 p.m., Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, 326 Market Street, 14th Floor
Boardroom, Harrisburg
Roundtable discussion on economic growth and job creation in Pennsylvania.
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda TBA.
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House Labor and Industry
Off the Floor, Room 205, Ryan Office Building
Agenda TBA.
THURSDAY - 4/23/15
House Gaming Oversight
9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Public hearing with Department of Revenue on small games of chance reporting.
2015 Session Days for the Pennsylvania General Assembly
The House and Senate are scheduled for session on the following days:
April: 20, 21, 22
May: 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (House only) 29, 30
Content contributed by Pennsylvania Legislative Services.
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