Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Sept. 26

House Bill 1278

Summary: The legislation amends the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act. Since its enactment, the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act and subsequent amendments have enabled prosecutors to obtain critical evidence for cases, while simultaneously respecting individual privacy. This measure amends the current definition of “oral communication” in the chapter. In doing so, it would remove Pennsylvania Wiretap Act restrictions on conversations made in presence of a state parole officer and certain other law enforcement officers. Potential victims of telephone scams would be allowed to fight back by recording the calls for use by authorities in investigating alleged schemes.

Yes: Jack Rader, Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik, Zack Mako, Ryan Mackenzie.

No: Doyle Heffley.

Sept. 27

House Bill 1507

Summary: Current law requires all public kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools to be kept open for at least 180 days and 900/990 hours each school year.

This legislation will change that requirement to 180 days or 900/990 hours of instruction per year. According to state Rep. Jesse Topper, who introduced the bill, counting seat time is an outdated method of providing instruction to todays’ students.

In fact, Pennsylvania is one of only 18 states that require both a day and hour requirement.

Adjusting the current statute, he said, will allow schools to develop their school calendar around the specific needs of the local community, school and students.

Yes: Doyle Heffley, Jack Rader, Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik, Zack Mako, Ryan Mackenzie.

House Bill 1409

Summary: Act 56 of 2020 provided the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Board of Commissioners with the ability to set certain fees for a five-year period. However, prior to Act 56, the PFBC’s fees were established through legislation. This legislation would reauthorize the PFBC’s authority to establish license and permit fees for an additional 10-year period. In addition, this legislation would also provide for minor changes to Section 2715 of Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues to remove outdated fee amounts.

Yes: Doyle Heffley, Jack Rader, Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik.

No: Zack Mako, Ryan Mackenzie.

House Bill 1291

Summary: Renewing driver’s licenses and identification cards with a previous photo and signature was a temporary policy instated to risk exposure during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

?This legislation would amend Title 75 to make that administrative change permeant for individuals living with certain disabilities and chronic conditions including: blindness, limited mobility issues, lung disease, cardiac disease, and a few other conditions.

Individuals eligible for disabled veteran’s plates and placards would also qualify under the legislation.

Yes: Jack Rader, Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik, Zack Mako, Ryan Mackenzie.

No: Doyle Heffley.

House Bill 250

Summary: Under current law, a person who is retired and receiving social security or any other pension and whose total annual income does not exceed $19,200 is able to register their vehicle at a reduced fee of $10.

The amount of maximum total annual income has not been increased since 1998.

This legislation would increase the amount of maximum total annual income to $29,906.

Yes: Doyle Heffley, Jack Rader, Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik, Zack Mako, Ryan Mackenzie.