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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2010

Senate Weekly Session Wrap

Important Harrisburg Happenings:

Senate Approves Bill Giving Communities a Share of Air Pollution Fines

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday, June 16th that would send a percentage of fine money collected for violations of Pennsylvania's Clean Air Act to local communities for environmental projects.

Currently, all collected fines go to Harrisburg. Senate Bill 1250 would allow communities to receive 25 percent of the revenue for local projects designed to reduce air pollution, improve parks and trails or create open space.  SB 1250, which I co-sponsored, would also require the state Department of Environmental Protection to notify the municipality in which a violation occurs within five business days after the penalty is final. 

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

Measure Addressing College Books Costs Headed to House

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday, June 16 intended to ease the financial burden on college students. Senate Bill 929, also known as the College Textbook Affordability, Accountability and Accessibility Act, would require that all Pennsylvania colleges implement policies and guidelines to minimize the cost of textbooks.

The bill authorizes institutions to establish textbook rental programs and accept federal and private funding to support the programs. SB 929 also prohibits schools from limiting the faculty’s right to select textbooks and permits fines to be charged when books are returned late, lost or damaged. In addition, SB 929 requires that publishers make college textbooks available for sale in an electronic format when commercially reasonable no later than January 1, 2020.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration. 

Bill Honors Fallen State Troopers

Legislation that would designate I-84 from Lackawanna County to the New York state line as the "Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway” was unanimously approved by the Senate on Tuesday, June 15 and is now before the House Transportation Committee for consideration.

Senate Bill 1320 is intended to honor the 93 Pennsylvania State Police troopers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the safety and security of the Commonwealth. The measure is supported by both the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. The State Police, created by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, became the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States and a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation. 

Committee Approves Audit of Methadone Treatment Costs

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee endorsed and recommended Senate approval of legislation authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs.

Senate Resolution 348 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study and report on methadone treatment and transportation costs. Taxpayers spend more than $40 million in medical assistance costs for methadone treatment, in addition to covering the high cost of transporting individuals to methadone clinics. The cost can be up to $1,600 per week for just one person.

The audit will study the annual cost and effectiveness of methadone treatment programs. It will also analyze costs and possible reforms of the Medical Assistance Transportation Program.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 366-2327