A weekly summary of important events on Capitol Hill
Provided by House Republican Public Relations
September 2, 2010
Legislation Would Protect Children Left Unattended in Vehicles
As a result of a recent increase in cases where children have been left unattended in motor vehicles while their parents gamble at a Bucks County casino, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) has authored a bill to amend the state’s Crimes Code relating to the endangering of the welfare of a child. The legislation would increase the grading of an offense from a first-degree misdemeanor, as the current law provides, to a third-degree felony if the child is under the age of 13 and has been left unsupervised in a motor vehicle. The proposal would also not limit the location where the increased grading would be applicable. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com.
House Republicans Discuss Marcellus Shale in Northeast PA
House Republicans from northeastern Pennsylvania, including Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), Sandra Major (R-Wayne/Susquehanna/Wyoming) and Mike Peifer (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), joined members of the Appropriations Committee in Bradford County this week to discuss issues relating to the extraction of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. The members met for a roundtable discussion with local officials, business owners and citizens to learn more about the effects of the growing industry on the region’s economy and its environment. The members also toured a drilling site near Towanda. Lawmakers are slated to discuss proposals on a severance tax when they return to session in the coming weeks. For the latest news, visit PAHouseGOP.com.
Bill Would Extend Consumer Privacy Rights
The Pennsylvania Do Not Call list prohibits telemarketers from soliciting individuals whose name and phone number appear on the list. However, telemarketers can continue to legally send text solicitations, even if a person’s name and phone number appears on the Do Not Call List. Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) has introduced House Bill 2675, which would add text messaging to the scope of the Telemarketer Registration Act, making it illegal for companies to send unwanted texts to registrants on the state’s Do Not Call List. If the law is enacted, any telemarketer caught texting a prohibited individual would face consequences similar to those for calling a person on the Do Not Call List, including civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation. House Bill 2675 is awaiting consideration in the House Consumer Affairs Committee. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com.