This week, I would like to share with you information about two of the PA House standing committees (out of six) I have been assigned to this legislative session. As I referenced in last week’s newsletter, swearing-in day not only involved taking our constitutional oath, but it also required us to vote on House Rules for the session. The House Rules dictate what committees exist and how many members serve on each committee. This session, I have the privilege of returning to two committees I have previously served on: Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Local Government.
The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee focuses on matters related to the Pennsylvania Agriculture industry, as well as some bills related to animal welfare, consumer protection, food safety, and other bills pertaining to rural parts of our commonwealth. It is a privilege to be continuing my work on this committee because our agribusiness, food, and beverage production industries support 140,000 jobs as well $38.3 billion in economic output in the commonwealth.
An example of the type of legislation I expect to see in this committee is H.B. 856 which would require horse auctions to disclose identifying information such as a tattoo, brand marking, or implanted microchip, which I introduced last year. Every year, hundreds of thousands of horses are sold at auctions nationwide. While some horses are sold at auctions due to their perceived value in the breeding industry or as racehorses or show horses, many are unfortunately sold at slaughter auctions. At slaughter auctions, horses are sold on a per-pound basis like cattle, loaded onto trucks and taken across the border to Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption. Although most horses that are brought to auctions are simply no longer wanted by their owners, some horses come to these auctions through illegitimate means. Many horses have been lost by or stolen from owners who want them back, and many of them have identifying markings or microchip implants in them. If this legislation became law, an auction company would be required to place this information, with pictures, on its publicly accessible website at least 72 hours before the horse may be sold at an auction. The auction company would also be required to keep records of all horse markings for one year after the sale.
This year, I expect to see bills related to avian flu, commercial hauling and agricultural vehicle licensure, bills related to food insecurity and food access and some animal welfare bills. Sometimes the work we do is very much at the forefront of where the Ag industry interacts with federal regulations and agricultural access, and the committee must be very responsive to changes at the federal level.
The Local Government Committee focuses on issues related to local government such as the responsibilities of municipalities, counties, and other local authorities. I often have conversations with municipal managers and officials on issues that continue to impact the operations of their municipalities. Our county and municipal governments are tasked with providing direct services to residents, as well as providing public safety and continuing improve or maintain quality of life in our communities. My goal will always be to make sure that these levels of government are being represented and heard.
An example of the types of bills we see in this committee is H.B. 1313, which I introduced last session to provide comprehensive guidelines and allow for local elected officials to hold public meetings electronically during emergencies for the health and well-being of those involved. During the COVID-19 pandemic, municipalities across the commonwealth required countless meetings to be held remotely and the General Assembly established temporary procedures to allow this during the emergency disaster declaration. When the emergency ended, these provisions expired, and new legislation is required by the General Assembly to provide permanent emergency guidelines. This guidance is necessary to ensure public trust, transparency, and input in local government. The guidelines in this bill will also facilitate public participation for remote municipal meetings during emergency declarations. This bill remained in committee last session, but I hope to reintroduce it.
Another bill I introduced in this committee last session was H.B. 2166, which aims to help next-of-kin in obtaining post-mortem reports after losing a loved one. A 2018 law change drastically increased the cost to obtain photocopies of these reports, making them unaffordable for many who are seeking closure. Last session, I spoke with a constituent who shared with me that her child passed away and could not get closure because of the cost of obtaining autopsy, toxicology, and coroner’s reports. I reached out to the coroner’s office to find out why the reports would cost so much and whether there was a way to help her, and they shared that a 2018 update to the law required that next-of-kin pay $500 for an autopsy report, $100 for a toxicology report, and $100 for an inquisition or coroner’s report. Prior to 2018, counties, at their discretion, were able to charge up to: $100 for an autopsy report, $50 for a toxicology report, and $50 for an inquisition or coroner’s report. These are purely the fees for photocopying these reports. This bill passed out of committee unanimously, and ultimately ended up passing in the House along partisan lines. Though I am disappointed that a commonsense measure became partisan and that it did not move in the Senate, I was glad to see it pass the House and look forward to continuing to seek support for this important measure.
I am looking forward to having a productive legislative session and am seeing positive signs of a less contentious session as committees begin to meet and organize. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to keep you informed about my committees and the type of legislation we move in those committees.
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Office Closed – Monday, Jan. 20
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Constituent Services Corner – How We Can Serve You
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Senior SEPTA pass flower show coming up
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Beat the rush! With the Philadelphia Flower Show on the horizon, the demand for the Senior SEPTA passes really “blooms” this time of year. Please call or stop by my office today to apply or renew!
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2024 Tax Forms and the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
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My office now has 2024 tax forms. Call or stop by my office today to request copies. For assistance with filing the Property Tax/Rent Rebate, please call 610-277-3230!
Applications are now open for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This program benefits older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities by providing a portion of money back on property taxes or rent paid in the prior year.
It’s quick and easy to apply online at https://pa.gov/PTRR, but my district office can also provide paper applications to anyone interested.
See if you qualify per the income parameters below. Remember, 50% of your Social Security benefit is excluded when determining your income.
Any questions can be directed to my office by calling (610) 277-3230 or emailing RepHanbidge@pahouse.net.
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Do you need a REAL ID? Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a state-issued REAL ID?-compliant license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (such as a U.S. Passport), to fly within the United States.
You can get a REAL ID now or when you renew your driver's license. Learn more about REAL ID at https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/ and feel free to contact my office at 610-277-3230 with any questions.
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PHEAA Webinar, January 30, 2025
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Helping with Higher Education, Every Step of the Way – Financial Aid 101
New to the financial aid process? Our 101 course will help cover the basics around the application process, types of aid available, and overall tips for keeping your education affordable. Sign up here!
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PA ABLE SEMINAR – Feb. 20
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Join me for this 30-minute live webinar presented by Pennsylvania Treasury. Learn how PA ABLE is enabling individuals with disabilities and their families to save for financial security without impacting important benefits.
This is a must-attend webinar for people with disabilities, as well as parents, caregivers, and rep payees. Employers can also learn why PA ABLE is gaining traction across the commonwealth as a key component of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and adding value to employee benefits packages.
Sign up here to attend this informative webinar.
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My office is proudly accepting book donations from Jan. 21 until March 2 (Dr. Suses’s Birthday) for the Ambler Boys and Girls Club. Please drop off your new and/or gently used books for children in grade 1-5 at my district office during normal business hours, Monday -Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel, Wissahickon Chapter, is looking for volunteers! Montgomery County's District Attorney's Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP) promotes restorative justice, representing an innovative approach by law enforcement toward juvenile offenders. The YAP provides a second chance for certain first-time juvenile criminal offenders who accept responsibility for their actions and satisfactorily demonstrate both public and private accountability.
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Juveniles and their families meet with trained local volunteer panelists to implement a comprehensive plan that promotes restorative justice for the victim, community, and offender. Panels are staffed by local volunteers who receive specialized training. Panelist must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen, a Montgomery County resident (for at least one year), must complete a training program, pass a background check, and must commit to a minimum of one-year of service. If you're interested in applying please submit a written application available at Youth Aid Panel | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website (montcopa.org).
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Wissahickon School District
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The Wissahickon School District (WSD) is excited to welcome incoming kindergarteners for the 2025-2026 school year! Below are four important updates for parents/caregivers of incoming kindergartners who currently reside within the district boundaries. Children who will be age 5 on or before Sept. 1, 2025, are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year.
1. Kindergarten Overview Meetings: The elementary schools in WSD will hold in-person meetings on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Blue Bell Elementary, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, and Stony Creek Elementary. These meetings will include a welcome by the building principal, an overview of the kindergarten program, and information from the school counselor and nurse.
2. Kindergarten Registration: Following the pre-registration kindergarten overview meetings on Jan. 21, 2025, kindergarten registration will begin on Jan. 22, 2025 (will end on March 7, 2025). For more information about our kindergarten registration process, please visit this web page to get started: https://www.wsdweb.org/departments/registration/kindergarten-registration.
3. Kindergarten Interviews: In the spring (March 10-April 11, 2025), WSD invites registered kindergarten students to their school to participate in our kindergarten interview process, which is an opportunity for a kindergarten teacher, reading specialist, or school counselor to meet with and learn more about your child in preparation for the start of the school year.
4. Kindergarten Orientation/Back to School Night Event: On Thursday Aug. 21, 2025, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. incoming kindergartners and parents/caregivers are invited to an Orientation & Back to School Night event at their school, this includes the Bus Ride Experience (more information will be emailed in the summer).
The community is encouraged to share this information with friends and neighbors who will register their kindergarten students in WSD for the 2025-26 school year.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kristen Rawlings
601 Knight Road
Ambler, PA 19002
610-247-2555
krawlings@wsdweb.org
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4102
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District Office
1098 W. Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
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