PA House Agenda for June 18-20

Here's this week's schedule for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Information has been supplied by Rep. Mike Turzai, Republican Majority Leader. Live web streams of House session and the majority of committee meetings are available at PAHouseGOP.com.

Electronic campaign reporting

House Bill 2203 (Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland/Snyder) would require all candidates and political committees that file campaign finance reports with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to file the reports electronically.
 
It is estimated that electronic filing would save the Department of State 35 percent of the Campaign Finance Division budget and provide quicker public access to candidates’ reports.

Modernizing beer, wine and liquor sales in PA

The current state store system was created in 1933 by then-Gov. Gifford Pinchot to make wine and liquor sales “as inconvenient and expensive as possible.” Lawmakers are expected to continue debate on the 250-plus amendments to House Bill 11 (Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County), aimed at privatizing and modernizing alcohol sales in the Commonwealth.
 
Poll after poll shows Pennsylvania residents overwhelmingly supporting the privatization of both wine and spirits. Editorial writers in almost every newspaper in the state also have declared strong support of the concept. Currently only two states, Pennsylvania and Utah, have complete control over wholesale and retail operations.

The Weekly Schedule

Identified by bill number, the sponsors and summaries for bills scheduled to be considered in committee or on the House floor are posted below. More information regarding these bills can be found at PAHouseGOP.com by clicking on the "Research Bills" tab.

Wednesday, June 20

Committee Meetings/Hearings
AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

• Joint informational hearing with the Senate Aging and Youth Committee on the draft State Plan on Aging for 2012-16.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH, 9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• Public hearing on HB 2295 (Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre/Mifflin):  Clarifies the purpose of child welfare services in Pennsylvania, establishes that between 75 percent and 90 percent of the cost of intensified educational programs for dependent and delinquent youth under the care of a juvenile court is reimbursable to counties, and allows county children and youth offices to contract with private providers.

COMMERCE, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 2368 (Rep. John Payne, R-Dauphin): Makes a series of updates and changes to the state’s Banking Code.
• HB 2369 (Rep. Dan Truitt): Implements the Consumer Financial Protection Act.
• HB 2370 (Rep. Carl Metzgar, R-Bedford/Somerset): Removes redundant disclosures related to variable rate mortgage loans, as they have been pre-empted by federal banking laws.

 
Session
On Wednesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.
 
Votes on Third Consideration
HB 1596 (Sen. Dom Costa)
HB 1659 (Rep. Jeff Pyle)
HB 1844 (Rep. Mike Tobash)
HB 2267 (Rep. Matt Gabler)
HB 2437 (Rep. Nick Micozzie)
SB 1464 (Sen. Don White)