Senate Approves Mutual Aid Bill

Committee recommends tax breaks for emergency responders

The Senate approved bills to assist counties and municipalities in responding to disasters; crack down on illegal immigration; and, improve services to Pennsylvania’s veterans during the session week of April 7, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

Senate Bill 1225, approved by the Senate on Tuesday, establishes a statewide Mutual Aid Committee comprised of state, regional, and local officials, and emergency responders. The committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of a statewide mutual aid system including formalizing mutual aid agreements and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Pennsylvania municipalities, state, and county officials, during disaster responses in which assistance is needed from outside the community in which the emergency occurred.

“The truth is Pennsylvania is one of 15 states without a statewide mutual aid agreement in place,” said Senator Robbins, said Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “That means we have a hodgepodge of various mutual aid agreements across the state. Senate Bill 1225 will provide a framework for establishing clear cut divisions of responsibility and address potential questions about issues such as liability and workers comp concerns.”

If a political subdivision chooses to participate, it may request assistance of other participating subdivisions. Requests would be made through the county 911 center, county emergency management coordinator, authorized designee in the responding county, or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. If assistance is requested, the subdivision will reimburse the responding subdivision.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 9 on Wednesday, which would bar illegal aliens living in Pennsylvania from receiving public benefits, such as Medicaid, welfare, and in-state college tuition.

This legislation would require anyone receiving public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are legal residents. In addition, individuals would be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a United States citizen, or an alien lawfully residing in this country. Any applicant signing the affidavit stating that they are a legal alien would have their status verified by the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Programs operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Furthering Pennsylvania’s efforts to better serve its military veterans, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1033 on Tuesday. This legislation would add a representative of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) to the Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Commission.

The State Veterans’ Commission is comprised of the major veterans’ organization and offers advice to the state Adjutant General on veterans’ issues.

“I was pleased to support this bill and sent it on to the House of Representatives for consideration,” said Senator Robbins, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “The Military Officers Association works on issues of importance to every veteran, on both the state and federal level, and will be a valuable voice on our State’s Veterans’ Commission.”

MOAA, organized in 1929, is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization, operated exclusively to benefit members of the uniformed services (officer and enlisted) active duty, former and retired, National Guard and Reserve -- and their families and survivors. There are over 9,000 current members of MOAA in the 16 Chapters spread throughout the Commonwealth.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 822 on Tuesday, a bill cosponsored by Senator Robbins that would amend the state Constitution to change the succession process for Lieutenant Governor upon a vacancy in that position.

The legislation is intended to address questions that arose during the Ridge Administration when Lieutenant Governor Schweiker filled the position of Governor and then-President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer served as Lieutenant Governor while remaining the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

“There were a number of procedural and constitutional questions that arose when Bob Jubelirer served as both a senator and as Lieutenant Governor,” Senator Robbins said. “This legislation provides a clear procedure for succession in the future.”

SB 822 does the following:

In the case of death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify or resignation of the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor shall appoint a new Lieutenant Governor who would take office upon confirmation of a majority vote of the Senate who would serve out the remainder of the term. Should the Governor appoint any member of the Senate or House of Representatives to serve as Lieutenant Governor, that official’s seat would be considered vacant and filled by election.
If, by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, inability or failure to qualify, there is neither a Governor nor Lieutenant Governor to act as Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate would become Governor for the remainder of the term. The President Pro Tempore's seat as Senator would become vacant and filled by election.
In the case of the disability of the Lieutenant Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate would serve as Lieutenant Governor until the disability is removed. The President Pro Tempore would not have to vacate his seat.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1332 on Wednesday, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Robbins, who serves as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, that would provide for a uniform oath of office for all elected and appointed municipal officials who are required to take an oath prior to taking office.

Under the legislation the standard oath would be: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs support the legislation.

Committee Roundup

The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation on Wednesday to provide tax credits to Pennsylvania’s emergency first responders and their employers as a way to help fire companies and emergency medical service companies recruit and retain volunteers.

Senate Bill 1314 would provide a $500 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and emergency medical services organizations, as certified by the State Fire Commissioner or the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Office in the Department of Health.

Senate Bill 1316 would provide a $1,000 tax credit against an employer's personal income tax for each volunteer fire and emergency services member employed. The credit would not exceed $5,000 per employer during a specific tax year.

The Senate Labor and Industry Committee approved legislation on Tuesday that will establish a technical review and advisory council to address updates to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. House Bill 1096 is the product of several public hearings in both the Senate and the House of Representatives over the past year to address problems with the Code.

The review council created by the legislation will consist of experts in all fields related to the design, construction and inspection of buildings, in addition to municipal representatives. It will review proposed changes to the International Code Council’s family of codes before they are adopted in Pennsylvania by the Department of Labor and Industry.

The Labor and Industry Committee also approved Senate Resolution 263, which directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study relating to the $4 fee imposed on each construction and building permit issued under the Construction Code Act. The fees were established to fund education and training programs for municipal code officials and agencies that enforce the Code. The report will determine the effectiveness of the programs.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322