LIBERTY BELL CHAPTER 266, VIETNAM
VETERANS OF AMERICA
September
14, 2015, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Since our last Chapter Board Meeting on August 17, 2015, the
following bills and items of concern from a legislative perspective have come,
or are pending, before the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania General Assembly and
the U.S. Congress for action. Any items pending as of the last meeting, but
that had no action taken on them since the last meeting, are not included in
this report, unless they were inadvertently omitted from the previous report.
PA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE:
For the PA Senate Calendar, see:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTM
For the PA House of Representatives Calendars, see:
and
PA HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS &
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE HEARINGS:
PA SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS &
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS:
U.S. House Committee on Veterans
Affairs
Sep 10, 2015 - A Review of Licensing and Credentialing Standards for
Servicemembers and Veterans: Do Barriers Still Remain?
Sep 17, 2015 - Markup of H.R. 3106, as amended; H.R. 3016; H.R. 677;
H.R. 1338; H.R. 1384; H.R. 2360, as amended; and H.R. 2915
Oct 7, 2015 - A Call for System-Wide Change: Evaluating the Independent
Assessment of the Veterans Health Administration
U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee Hearings
09/16/15 - Pending Legislation, Russell Senate Office Building
SR-418.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
HOUSE BILLS 2015-2016 Session:
HB 1192 - An Act to provide from the General Fund for the
expenses of the Executive and Judicial Departments, the State Government
Support Agencies and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth, the public debt
and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, for
certain institutions and organizations, and for the payment of bills incurred
and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; to provide
appropriations from the State Lottery Fund, the Tobacco Settlement Fund, the
Aviation Restricted Account, the Hazardous Material Response Fund, The State
Stores Fund, the Milk Marketing Fund, the Home Investment Trust Fund, the
Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, the Tuition Account Guaranteed
Savings Program Fund, the Banking Fund, the Firearm Records Check Fund, the Ben
Franklin Technology Development Authority Fund, the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, the
Home Improvement Account, the Cigarette Fire Safety and Firefighter Protection
Act Enforcement Fund, the Insurance Regulation and Oversight Fund and the
Pennsylvania Racehorse Development Restricted Receipt Account, to the Executive
Department; to provide appropriations from the Judicial Computer System
Augmentation Account to the Judicial Department for the fiscal year July 1,
2015, to June 30, 2016; to provide appropriations from the Motor License Fund
for the fiscal year July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, for the proper operation of
several departments of the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania State Police
authorized to spend Motor License Fund moneys; to provide for the appropriation
of Federal funds to the Executive Department of the Commonwealth and for the
payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June
30, 2015. Last Action: PN 1550 Referred to
APPROPRIATIONS, May 12, 2015. Reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS, May
13, 2015. First consideration, May 13, 2015.
Laid on the table, May 13, 2015.
Removed from table, May 13, 2015. PN 1679 Second consideration, with
amendments, June 1, 2015. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 1, 2015.
(Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 1, 2015. PN 1959 Re-reported as amended
from APPROPRIATIONS, June 27, 2015.
Third consideration and final
passage, June 27, 2015 (112-77). (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June
27, 2015. In the Senate - Referred
to APPROPRIATIONS, June 28, 2015. Reported as committed from APPROPRIATIONS,
June 28, 2015. First consideration, June 28, 2015. Second consideration, June 29, 2015. Motion to suspend pursuant to Rule 25
(19-30), June 30, 2015. Third consideration and final passage, June 30, 2015 (30-19). (Remarks see Senate Journal Page ), June 30,
2015. Signed in House, June 30, 2015. Signed in Senate, June 30, 2015. Presented to the Governor, June 30,
2015. Vetoed by the Governor, June
30, 2015. Veto No. 1. In the House - Bill, together with
Governor's Veto Message, laid on the table, July 1, 2015. Bill, together with
Governor's Veto Message, removed from the table (114-82), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message,
Rape Crisis, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's
Veto Message, Domestic Violence, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to
override Governor's Veto Message, Food and Nutrition Services, defeated
(115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Payment of
Education Assistance Grants, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to
override Governor's Veto Message, Farmers Market Food Coupons and Senior
Farmers Market Nutrition, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override
Governor's Veto Message, Victims of Juvenile Offenders, defeated (115-83), Aug.
25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Juvenile Probation
Services, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto
Message, Payments on Account of Pupil Transportation, defeated (115-83), Aug.
25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Safe Schools Initiatives,
defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message,
Individuals with Disabilities Education, ESEA-Title I, Title II Improving
Teacher Quality, Local, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override
Governor's Veto Message, Services to Nonpublic Schools, defeated (115-83), Aug.
25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Grants to Counties to
Purchase Food for Needy Persons, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to
override Governor's Veto Message, Textbooks, Instructional Material and
Equipment for Nonpublic Schools, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to
override Governor's Veto Message, Community-based Health Care Subsidy, defeated
(115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Cancer
Screening Services, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override
Governor's Veto Message, Reimbursement to School Districts on Account of Health
Services, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015.
Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, Services to Children with
Special Needs, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message,
Community-based Family Centers, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message,
Red Cross Extended Care Program, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to
override Governor's Veto Message, Nurse Family Partnership Program, defeated
(115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. Motion to override Governor's Veto Message, MCH-Early
Childhood Home Visiting, defeated (115-83), Aug. 25, 2015. (Remarks see House
Journal Page ), Aug. 25, 2015.
HB 1491 - An Act amending the act of October 9, 2008
(P.L.1408, No.113), known as the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act, further
providing for definitions, for identification requirements for sale of scrap
materials to scrap processors and recycling facility operators and for
commercial accounts. Last Action: PN
2106 Referred to CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Aug. 13, 2015.
HB 1502 - An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax
exemption, further providing for exemption.
Last Action: PN 2111 Referred
to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, Aug. 13, 2015.
HB 1511 - An Act
amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes,
providing for emergency addiction treatment; imposing powers and duties on the
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs; establishing the Emergency Addiction
Treatment Program and the Opioid Reparation and Accountability Fund; and
imposing fines and penalties. Last Action: PN 2140 Referred to HUMAN
SERVICES, Aug. 26, 2015.
HB 1520 - An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, requiring compliance with Federal Selective
Service requirements as part of application for learners' permits or drivers'
licenses. Last Action: PN 2160 Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Sept. 4, 2015.
HB 1522 - An Act
providing funding to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the
purpose of providing current service members and veterans with access to
high-definition fiber tracking brain scans and supporting ongoing clinical
research in this Commonwealth involving traumatic brain injuries. Last
Action: PN 2166 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
Sept. 8, 2015.
HB 1523 - An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 34 (Game)
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for disabled veteran
annual fishing license reciprocity and disabled veteran annual hunting license
reciprocity. Last Action: PN 2162 Referred to GAME AND FISHERIES, Sept. 4, 2015.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS 2015-2016 Session:
HR 14 - A Resolution
designating the month of October 2015 as "Chiropractic Health and Wellness
Month" in Pennsylvania. Latest Action(s): PN 2144 INTRODUCED AS
NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 437 - A Resolution urging the Congress of the United
States and the Department of Defense to expeditiously address the safety and
protection of United States Armed Forces personnel within the borders of the
United States. Latest Major Action: PN 2086 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, Aug. 10, 2015.
PN 2100 Corrective Reprint, Printer's No. 2100, Aug. 10, 2015. Reported
as committed from VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, Aug. 25, 2015.
HR 451 - A Resolution recognizing the month of September
2015 as "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and
acknowledging the importance of raising public awareness of the threat and
causes of prostate cancer. Latest Major Action: PN 2135 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Aug. 25, 2015.
HR 453 - A Resolution
designating the month of October 2015 as "National Disability Employment
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2138 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Aug. 26, 2015.
HR 456 - A Resolution
recognizing September 26, 2015, as "National Hunting and Fishing Day"
in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action:
PN 2146 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 457 - A Resolution
designating the month of September 2015 as "Emergency Preparedness
Month" in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2147 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 458 - A Resolution
recognizing the month of September 2015 as "Senior Center Month" in
Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2148 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL
RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 459 - A Resolution
designating the week of September 13 through 19, 2015, as "Direct Support
Professionals Week" in Pennsylvania.
Latest Major Action: PN 2149
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 461 - A Resolution
designating September 18, 2015, as "Falls and Flu Prevention and Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2151 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 463 - A Resolution
designating the month September 2015 as "Military Suicide Prevention and
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2153 INTRODUCED
AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 464 - A Resolution
recognizing September 11, 2015, as "Keystone Wounded Warrior Day" in
Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action: PN 2154 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL
RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 468 - A Resolution honoring and remembering the five
fallen service members who were killed or mortally wounded during a mass
shooting at a joint Navy and Marine Corps facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
on July 16, 2015. Latest Major Action:
PN 2157 INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Sept. 4, 2015.
HR 500 - A Resolution urging the Congress of the United
States to establish a national day of recognition for the veterans of the
Vietnam War and designating the 50th anniversary of the Battle in the Ia Drang
Valley, November 14, 2015, as "Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day" in
Pennsylvania. Latest Major Action:
PN 2172 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, Sept. 11,
2015.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA SENATE BILLS 2015-2016 Session:
SB 947 - An Act providing for the licensure of
professional music therapists; establishing the State Board of Professional
Music Therapy Licensing; providing for its powers and duties; and establishing
the Professional Music Therapy Licensing Fund.
Last Action: PN 1211 Referred
to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, Aug. 24, 2015.
SB 988 - An Act designating a bridge on that portion
of State Route 403 over the Two Lick Creek, Borough of Clymer, Indiana County
as the Sergeant James Robert Pantall Memorial Bridge. Pantall was from CLYMER, PA, and is listed
on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Last Action: PN 1223 Referred to
TRANSPORTATION, Sept. 8, 2015.
SB 989 - An Act designating a bridge on that portion
of State Route 580 over the Susquehanna River, Cherry Tree Borough, Indiana
County, as the Airman Second Class Gerald Emmett Johnson Memorial Bridge. Last
Action: PN 1224 Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Sept. 8, 2015.
SB 996 - An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs)
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate
tax exemption, further providing for definitions and for duty of commission. This legislation would amend the law and add
a definition of “income” that mirrors the definition in the Senior Citizen
Property Tax and Rent Rebate Act. Under
current regulations for the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
program, “income” is defined as all income, including 100% of social security
income and railroad retirement benefits.
This bill would exempt 50% of social security income and railroad
retirement benefits and be consistent with the Senior Citizens Property Tax and
Rent Rebate Act. This change will
potentially increase eligibility for the tax exemption among the disabled
veteran population. In addition, this
legislation will remove the language that creates a “rebuttable presumption” of
need if the applicant makes less than $75,000 annually and provide that applicants
with less than $75,000 in annual income shall be deemed to be in need and
receive the exemption. The rebuttable
presumption contained in current law will continue to apply to those making
over $75,000 per year. This legislation
is aimed at providing property tax exemption to an expanded population of
veterans who honorably served our country and have incurred significant and
permanent disability as a result of their military service, and are suffering
financial hardship. Last Action: PN 1227 Referred to VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, Sept. 10, 2015.
COMMONWEALTH OF PA
SENATE RESOLUTIONS 2015-2016 Session:
None
FEDERAL HOUSE
RESOLUTIONS/AMENDMENTS 114th Congress:
None.
FEDERAL HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATION 114th Congress:
None.
FEDERAL SENATE
RESOLUTIONS/AMENDMENTS 114th Congress: None.
FEDERAL SENATE
BILLS 114th Congress:
None.
Grassroots
lobbying is an effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your
opinion, which is key to increasing co-sponsorship on veteran related bills and
subsequent passage into law.
NOTE: For an electronic version of this document, please
send an email message to the below signed at: lholman@prodigy.net .
For more news of interest to veterans and patriots, see my
blog at http://newsfromldh.blogspot.com
.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry D. Holman
Larry D. Holman, Government Affairs Chairman
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