Here is a look at how our state lawmakers voted on legislation. We have included lawmakers representing all five counties in the Times News area.

March 24:

House of Representatives

House Bill 410

The bill would facilitate the renewal process for driver’s licenses and identification cards. Specifically, it would allow people with certain severe lifelong medical conditions, as well as active-duty military personnel stationed outside the commonwealth and their families, to renew their licenses or IDs remotely using the most recent photo and signature on file, eliminating the need for in-person visits to the DMV.

Vote: 199Y, 3N

Yes: Jamie Barton, Gary Day, Zack Mako, Jack Rader, Doyle Heffley, Tim Twardzik, Dane Watro

House Bill 118

The bill seeks to amend the Child Labor Act by increasing penalties for violations. The bill aims to strengthen protections for minors in the workforce by imposing stricter consequences on employers who violate child labor laws.

Vote: 117Y, 85N

No: Barton, Day, Mako, Rader, Heffley, Twardzik, Watro

Senate

Senate Bill 78

An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 67586, located over the South Branch of Bear Run on State Route 1053 in Banks Township, Indiana County, as the PFC John Tabacsko Memorial Bridge.

Vote: 49Y, 0N

Yes: David Argall, Rosemary Brown, Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller.

March 25

House of Representatives

House Bill 369

The bill would allow municipalities of any size to establish land banks. Land banks are public authorities created to acquire, manage, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties to foster community development and revitalization.

Vote: 162Y, 40N

Yes: Barton, Day, Mako, Rader, Heffley, Twardzik and Watro

House Bill 755

The bill seeks to mandate that health insurance policies provide coverage for preventive health care services without cost-sharing. The bill grants authority to the Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner to enforce these provisions and establish related regulations.

Vote: 133Y, 69N

Yes: Heffley, Rader.

No: Barton, Day, Mako, Watro

House Bill 618

The bill seeks to prohibit health insurers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions. The bill imposes duties on the Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner to enforce these provisions and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Vote: 125Y, 77N

Yes: Rader, Heffley.

No: Barton, Day, Mako, Twardzik, Watro

House Bill 535

The bill aims to prohibit health insurance policies from imposing annual or lifetime limits on essential health benefits. This measure seeks to ensure that individuals have uninterrupted access to necessary medical services without the risk of reaching a coverage cap.

Vote: 121Y, 81N

Yes: Heffley, Rader

No: Barton, Day, Mako, Twardzik and Watro

House Bill 404

The bill seeks to amend The Insurance Company Law of 1921 to require health insurance policies to extend coverage to insureds’ children up to age 26. This provision aims to ensure that young adults maintain continuous health insurance coverage during critical transitional periods.

Vote: 123Y, 79N

Yes: Rader

No: Barton, Day, Heffley, Mako, Twardzik and Watro

Senate

Senate Bill 146

The bill aims to amend Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by enhancing the Veterans’ Trust Fund and establishing the Veterans’ Trust Fund Board. This legislation seeks to improve the administration and oversight of the fund, ensuring better support for veterans’ services across the state.

Vote: 49Y, 0N

Yes: Argall, Brown, Coleman and Miller

Senate Bill 130

The bill proposes amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to enhance burial benefits for veterans. The bill mandates that funeral directors, funeral entities, or cemetery companies notify the county director of veterans affairs within 96 hours of receiving the remains of a deceased veteran.

Vote: 49Y, 0N

Yes: Argall, Brown, Coleman and Miller

March 26

House of Representatives

House Bill 209

The bill proposes amendments to The Second Class Township Code to allow townships of the second class to adopt ordinances with an immediate effective date. This change aims to streamline the legislative process within these townships by enabling ordinances to take effect promptly upon adoption, rather than after a delayed period.

Vote: 194Y, 7N, 1LVE

Yes: Barton, Day, Mako, Rader, Twardzik and Watro

No: Heffley

Senate

Senate Bill 404

The bill proposes amendments to the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act of Nov. 26, 1978, to authorize county conservation districts to issue emergency permits for stream reconstruction. This legislation aims to streamline the process for addressing urgent stream maintenance needs, enhancing local capacity to manage and mitigate flood-related hazards effectively.

Vote: 35Y, 14N

Yes: Argall, Brown, Coleman and Miller

Senate Bill 403

The bill amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act of 1978 to establish continuous maintenance permits for stream reconstruction.

Vote: 29Y, 20N

Yes: Argall, Brown, Coleman

No: Miller

Senate Bill 202

The bill aims to amend the Money Transmission Business Licensing Law of 1965 to include virtual currency under its regulatory framework. The bill seeks to establish clear definitions and licensing requirements for entities involved in virtual currency transactions, ensuring they adhere to the same standards as traditional money transmitters.

Vote: 49Y, 0N

Yes: Argall, Brown, Coleman and Miller

Compiled by Jarrad Hedes and Jill Mack