January 31, 2020 News for the week of January 27

The Senate was in session last week. Both chambers will return to Harrisburg on Monday February 3rd. 2020 Session Days for the Governor to Announce Proposed Budget On Tuesday, Governor Wolf will deliver his annual budget address. General Assembly Wolf’s address will lay out his 2020-2021 proposed state budget and is The House and Senate are the start of the annual state budget process. scheduled for session on the Watch the budget address live here. following days:

House Senator Arnold Sworn into Office February: 3, 4, 5 Last week, Senator David Arnold was sworn in as Senator of the 48th March: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 April: 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16 Senatorial district. Arnold won a special election for the seat in January. May: 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, His district covers Lebanon County as well as parts of Dauphin and York 19, 20 Counties. June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 Arnold’s addition gives Senate Republicans a 28-21 margin in the

Senate chamber over Democrats; this number includes independent Senator February: 3, 4, 5 as he caucuses with Republicans. March: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 April: 6, 7, 8 May: 4, 5, 6, 18, 19, 20 Senate Committee Chair Assignments Announced June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announced last 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 week that Senator John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) has been named the majority chair of the Senate State Government Committee. The

reassignment of DiSanto, who had been majority chair of the Senate Looking for updates on Aging and Youth Committee, created the opportunity for Senator Judy legislation & news related to Ward (R-Blair) to become that committee's majority chair. Ward, townships? though, had been chair of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, so the switch opened up a spot as that committee's majority Be sure to ‘Like’ us on chair for Senator (R-Indiana). Facebook at www.facebook.com/psats Reminder: PSATS Grassroots Advocacy Network Follow us on Twitter Reception http://twitter.com/PSATS The PSATS Executive Board invites you to a reception for the And, as always, check out Grassroots Advocacy Network to be held at the PSATS Annual www.psats.org for the latest Conference. updates When: Sunday, May 3rd 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Where: Hershey Lodge, Aztec room. Free but preregistration is required.

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IRRC Approves Overtime Regulations On Friday, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted 3-2 to approve the state Department of Labor & Industry’s final regulation amending the Minimum Wage Act to extend overtime pay eligibility. The new regulations require overtime pay to most full-time salaried workers in executive, administrative, and professional jobs if they make less than $45,500 by 2022.

It should be noted that the state Department of Labor & Industry has taken the position that municipalities are not subject to the state Minimum Wage Act.

Legislators Not Running in 2020 The following legislators have announced that they are not seeking reelection in 2020:

Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Delaware) Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks) Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery) Rep. (R-Jefferson) Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery) Rep. (R-Lycoming) Rep. (D-Allegheny) Rep. (R-Clearfield) Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Northampton) Rep. (D-Schuylkill) Rep. (R-Schuylkill) Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) Rep. (R-Perry) Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)

Legislative Action Township-related legislation that saw action this week in the General Assembly:

Procedure for when no bids are received: SB 494 (PN 528) would create a process for a municipality to enter into a contract for services when they first advertise a bid for services and no bids are received. Action: Reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee. Status: Before the Senate.

Pennsylvania Presidential Primary: SB 779 (PN 1039) would amend the Election Code to move Pennsylvania's Presidential primary election day to the third Tuesday of March. Action: Third consideration and final passage in the Senate (48-0). Status: Has passed the Senate and is awaiting committee assignment in the House.

Fire and Emergency Services Loan Assistance Program: SB 908 (PN 1469) would require a referendum to expand the loan program to all fire companies and EMS service providers. Would permit the use of funds for facilities, vehicles and equipment for emergency response, recruitment and retention efforts, death benefits for active members, and insurance. Action: Third consideration and final passage in the Senate (49-0) Status: Has passed the Senate and is before the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

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Fire and Emergency Services Grant Program: SB 910 (PN 1470) would expand the program to a combined volunteer and paid departments. Would reauthorize the program until June 30, 2024. Would designate the fire commissioner as the lead administration of the grant program, require the posting of grant information online, and allows grants to be used for recruitment and retention programs, and Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award programs. Action: Third consideration and final passage in the Senate (49-0) Status: Has passed the Senate and is before the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Firefighters’ relief associations: SB 932 (PN 1358) would amend the definition of "volunteer firefighters' relief association" to include volunteer fire companies or fire companies that are a combination of a volunteer fire company and a paid fire company. Action: Reported from the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. Status: Before the Senate.

State Fire Commissioner: SB 987 (PN 1450) would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require the State Fire Commissioner to be confirmed by the Senate. Would also require the commissioner to establish guidelines for curriculum and training and establish the commissioner's implementation of the firefighting program under the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and create a State Fire Advisory Board. Action: Reported from the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. Status: Before the Senate.

Capitol Calendar: Upcoming Committee meetings of interest to townships.

Click here to view a full list of upcoming legislative committee meetings.

Looking for the latest issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin? Click here.

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