Senate Sends EMS tax, UCC Reform Bills to Governor

Scaled-down state budget moving in the Senate

The Senate gave final approval during the Session week of June 11 to legislation reforming the Emergency and Municipal Services tax and to another measure amending the statewide building code to eliminate a costly and unnecessary requirement, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

Both measures now go to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.

"I am very pleased that the Governor has indicated his intention to sign Senate Bill 218, which will bring needed reforms to the municipal services tax," said Senator Robbins, a co-sponsor of the bill. "As it stands now, this tax places an extremely heavy burden on low-income workers."

SB 218 will end the lump-sum maximum payment of $52 and set specific restrictions on how taxing entities may use revenues raised by the levy. It also requires that the tax be withheld on a payroll-period basis with a maximum deduction of $1 per week. Employers will be required to send collections on a quarterly basis. Those earning $12,000 or less per year are exempted from paying the tax.

On Wednesday, the Senate concurred on House amendments to Senate Bill 437, a bill to reform the state Uniform Construction Code, and sent it on to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.

Senate Bill 437, a bill co-sponsored by Senator Robbins, will amend the UCC by addressing a new mandate contained in the 2006 International Residential Code, which took affect on January 1, 2007. Under the mandate, all new residential construction is now required to have "anchor bolts" when the foundation and retaining walls are built, which could increase home building costs by as much as $3,000.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate returned to the House an amended version of House Bill 906, legislation that would reauthorize a popular fire/EMS grant program for five years. Since 2000, the General Assembly has regularly appropriated $25 million to the PA Emergency Management Agency to provide grants to volunteer fire and EMS departments. However, it has lapsed in the past. Senator Robbins said the permanent authorization would set in place the mechanism to allow for funding on a steady basis.

"I am very pleased that we moved this important bill," Senator Robbins said. "I hope the House will quickly concur on this bill and send it to the Governor. Volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps play important roles in many communities across the 50th Senatorial District and across the state. These grants provide much-needed assistance to the organizations that are finding it difficult to cover the rising costs of equipment and training."

Other bills passed by the Senate this week include:

Senate Bill 385 — a measure that would require voice over the internet (VoIP) providers who charge customers for E-911 services to forward those fees to the Commonwealth. In May 2005, the FCC issued an order requiring interconnected VoIP providers to provide customers with E-911 service. Many companies already collect fees for providing 911 services to customers. However, Pennsylvania currently has no law that compels them to forward those 911 fees back to the Commonwealth like traditional and wireless phone companies must do.

Senate Bill 877 -- a bill co-sponsored by Senator Robbins, would amend the Public Welfare Code to require the Department of Public Welfare to administer a mandatory managed

care program for physical health care services for medical assistance recipients in the southeast, southwest, Lehigh and Capital areas of the Commonwealth.

Additionally, the department would be required to contract with no more than five managed care organizations to provide physical health care services to medical assistance recipients who voluntarily choose to enroll in managed care.

The Bill also requires the Department of Public Welfare to consider pharmaceutical services as a covered benefit under both mandatory and voluntary managed care which shall be provided and continued under contracts with managed care contractors.

Committee roundup

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a state budget (House Bill 1286) for Fiscal Year 2007-08 that contains no tax increases, limits state spending, and foregoes new programs that will rise sharply in cost in subsequent years. The Committee approved cuts totaling $329 million, dropping the overall spending increase to 2.35 percent.

"This is just the first step by the Senate in the on-going process of passing a budget for next year," Senator Robbins said. "This is not the final product, but it does send a clear message to the Governor and the House of our intentions and goals."

The Senate Finance Committee approved Senate Bill 375, a bill that amends the Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association Act providing for a permanent exemption from certain taxes for qualifying organizations. Currently, those organizations must file for the exemption every five years.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee approved Senate Bill 968, a bill that would require all health care facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, to develop and implement internal infection control plans.

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee approved Senate Bill 171, the "Grandparent Caregiver Support Program Act," which would establish the Grandparent Caregiver Support Program to serve as a resource for grandparents or older adult caregivers. The committee also approved Senate Bill 811, the "Long-Term Living Facility Licensure Information Act," which would require the Department of Aging to maintain a listing on its website for each type of facility. The bill states the information would be updated at least monthly.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322