“The health and safety of vulnerable highway users is clearly of critical importance, which is why we just passed H.B. 1536 by an overwhelming majority,” Daley said. “I’m grateful to PennDOT for highlighting other crucial laws that are designed to make our roadways safer for everybody, and I’m happy to help promote the message.” Read more

“Given Republican leadership’s commitment to inaction, we must get creative to cut gun violence at its roots. Through his work both in Harrisburg and his district, Representative Kirkland has exhibited the leadership needed to fight the scourge of gun violence.” Read more

“Without any doubt, women’s health is a crucial issue in my role as a state representative, and I appreciate and look forward to the opportunity to serve on this panel,” Daley said. “It provides another chance to discuss legislation and social policy that protects and respects women’s health.” Read more

Zabel’s legislation would utilize best practices that have been implemented in other states to make Pennsylvania’s e-waste recycling law more effective. Read more

With pipelines crisscrossing my district, I was very happy to hear Gov. Wolf include pipeline safety and oversight initiatives in his 2020-21 budget plan. Pipeline safety and accountability are enormous concerns in Chester County, and I have worked to ensure those concerns are heard in Harrisburg. In addition to meetings with Energy Transfer Partners, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Public Utility Commission, I also met with Gov. Wolf multiple times to discuss my concerns – and those of my constituents – regarding this issue. Additionally, at my invitation, the governor visited Chester County to tour pipeline sights. The seeds of these meetings bore fruit this past week, as evidenced in the governor’s budget address. The governor has displayed a deeper insight in these matters, and I am very enthusiastic about his prioritization of pipeline issues and his call for immediate legislative action to address glaring gaps in existing law: As it stands, no state agency has authority to review intrastate pipeline routes, essentially allowing pipeline operators to site through densely populated high-consequence areas. Pipeline operators are not currently required to provide pertinent information to schools and childcare centers located near pipelines. Operators are not required to provide residents and municipalities with notification regarding drilling activities at least five days in Read more

The House Democratic Southeast Delegation today elected state Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, treasurer. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – A new legislative caucus, the Bipartisan Industrial Hemp Caucus, has been launched to promote and expand the industrial hemp industry in Pennsylvania, announced co-chairs state Reps. Margo L. Davidson and Russ Diamond today. The bipartisan nature of the caucus underscores the importance of the industrial hemp industry to the entire commonwealth, and both parties’ legislative commitment to creating conditions for Pennsylvanians to grow an environmentally safe, profitable, sustainable, and in-demand product. The BIHC will seek to create a more attractive business environment and culture by spreading information about industrial hemp and its many applications. “The industrial hemp industry perfectly synergizes our rural and urban economies. It will spur job development and create new profitable economic opportunities in our agriculture, research and development, and manufacturing sectors.” Davidson, D-Delaware, said. “Pennsylvania once led the nation in industrial hemp production, and we believe the BIHC will help grow our economy and put our Commonwealth on a path to once again be an industry leader.” “No longer should the United States be dependent on over-priced foreign hemp manufacturers to make our products,” said Diamond., R-Lebanon. “I’m excited to get to work with my colleagues on some important bipartisan legislation as we seek to re-open Pennsylvania’s valuable Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – Gov. Tom Wolf highlighted state Rep. Ben Sanchez’s bill requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms in his budget address today as part of his plan to reduce gun violence in the Commonwealth. Sanchez’s H.B. 1288 would require any owner or other person lawfully in possession of a firearm who suffers the loss or theft of a weapon to report it to law enforcement within 72 hours of the discovery. If a person fails to do so, he or she could be charged with a summary offense. “I’m pleased that Governor Wolf singled out my commonsense gun safety bill, which would require stronger reporting requirements for lost and stolen firearms and help keep guns off the streets,” said Sanchez, D-Montgomery. “The bill would deter gun trafficking by making firearm owners more accountable for their weapons and make our communities safer for all of us.” If H.B. 1288 becomes law, Pennsylvania would join a growing list of other states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia that require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms. Sanchez’s bill previously was introduced by former state Rep. Madeline Dean, and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Read more

“Governor Wolf addressed so many critical issues, and I am hopeful all of us in the legislature can find some common ground so we can better fund our schools, increase the minimum wage, improve our communities and keep all in our commonwealth safer. I look forward to continuing to work for the 159th and all Pennsylvanians.” Read more

House Resolution 119 acknowledges the warning signs, scope and lasting effects of childhood emotional abuse, Kirkland said, and encourages passing a bill to raise awareness, make detection easier, and provide proactive mental health services for victims and abusers. Read more