LEG REG REVIEW 2016, 22nd Issue *** November 21, 2016

LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, a professional lobbying and consultant firm located near the State Capitol. It contains news on Pennsylvania legislation and regulations impacting the Insurance and Business Communities. It is a free member benefit for those who are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters (PAHU). Subscription information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at 717/728-1217 FAX 717/232-7005 or e-mail to [email protected]. Please email [email protected] supplying both your name and e-mail address if you wish to be removed from or added to this list. Whether it means meeting your CE need or helping with a particular problem/question, please visit our web site to explore how PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES may be of service to you, your employees and your clients. www.vphillipsassoc.com

THANKSGIVING has always been one of my favorite holidays. It is humble, unassuming and does not present the commercial glitz campaign associated with Christmas. It is rather a time where we look at ourselves, our families, and our skills and give a thanksgiving for the blessings we have received. On behalf of PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, I am thankful to you for reading LEG REG REVIEW and sharing your insights with me. Sincerely, Vince Phillips

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREPS FOR 2017-18 The General Assembly is preparing for the advent of the new legislative session by selecting leadership teams. Although with some exceptions, most leaders were re-elected. There will be some new leaders either from a contest or because a retirement created a vacancy. This, with the exception of the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, is not to be confused with selection of committee chairs and committee members. It is too early for that now.

SENATE LEADERSHIP REPUBLICAN President Pro Tempore- designee Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) – officially sworn in January Majority Leader (R-Centre) Majority Whip (R-Columbia) Majority Caucus Chair (R-Montgomery/Berks/Bucks) Majority Caucus Secretary Rich Alloway (R-Franklin) Majority Caucus Administrator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) Policy Committee Chair (R-Schuylkill) Majority Appropriations Committee Chair (R-Lehigh)

SENATE LEADERSHIP DEMOCRAT Minority Leader (D-Allegheny) Minority Whip Anthony Williams (D-Phila.) Minority Caucus Chair Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) Minority Caucus Secretary Larry Farnese (D-Phila.) unsuccessfully challenged by Senator (D-Luzerne) Minority Caucus Administrator has not yet been appointed Policy Committee Chair (D-Northampton) Minority Appropriations Committee Chair (D-Phila.)

SENATE SESSION DAYS FOR 2017 January 3, 23,24,25,30,31; February 1, 6, 7, 8: March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29; April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26; May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24; June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.

1 HOUSE LEADERSHIP REPUBLICAN Speaker of the House designee (R-Allegheny) – officially sworn in January Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) Majority Whip Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) Majority Caucus Chair Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) replaced retired Rep. Sandra Major (R- Susquehanna) Majority Caucus Secretary Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland) unseated current Administrator Brian Ellis (R- Butler) Policy Committee Chair Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) Majority Appropriations Committee Chair Stan Saylor (R-York)

HOUSE LEADERSHIP DEMOCRAT Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) Minority Whip Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) Minority Caucus Chair Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) Minority Caucus Secretary Rosita Youngblood (D-Phila.) Minority Caucus Administrator Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) Policy Committee Chair Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster Minority Appropriations Committee Chair Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny)

HOUSE SESSION DAYS FOR 2017 – Not yet released

POLITICAL NOTE…One House race is still too close to call with the outcome likely decided by provisional ballots. According to the West Chester Daily Local News, Democrat (and West Chester Mayor) is hanging on to an 18-vote margin over incumbent Rep. Dan Truitt (R-Chester). The PA Department of State records the race as Comitta ahead by 78 votes.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES  House Bill 946 (Baker-R-Tioga) regarding pharmacy audit procedures and requiring registration of Pharmacy Benefit Managers with the PA Health Department was sent to Governor Wolf Nov. 14.  House Bill 2025 (Reese-R-Westmoreland/Somerset) contained a number of amendments to PA’s Vehicle Code was signed into law as Act 165 of 2016 by Governor Wolf on November 4. It is lengthy and a link follows. Of interest might be $88 fines to seek reinstatement of driving privileges after not being able to show proof of financial responsibility, major penalties for distracted (texting) if the accident causes death (up to 5 years prison) or serious bodily injury (up to two years), disposal of abandoned vehicles, etc. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn= 2025

HEALTH INSURANCE NOTES… Central PA Association of Health Underwriters is holding a webinar on what happens to health care reform in the Trump Administration November 29 at 9:00 a.m. Details: Deb Wilkinson [email protected] …On Friday November 18, the IRS released Notice 2016-70 extending due dates for certain reporting requirements for 2016 from January 31, 2017 to March 2, 2017 and provides some good-faith transitional relief. (1095-B individual health coverage and 1095-C Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-16- 70.pdf

CONGRESSIONAL NOTE… PA Senator Bob Casey (D) was elected Ranking Member (minority) of the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging. The committee was created in 1961 to study issues connected with Medicare and Social Security. 2