Senate Approves Fishing License Voucher Bill

Computer protection measure sent to House

The Senate passed several key bills as it wrapped up the 2007 Legislative calendar during the Session week of December 10, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved a bill co-sponsored by Senator Robbins that would allow citizens to purchase gift vouchers that can be exchanged for fishing licenses.

Senate Bill 880 would allow the purchase of a voucher that can be exchanged for a fishing license or permit from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Currently, the process for buying a gift license is cumbersome and requires the purchaser to provide detailed information on the person they are buying the license for.

"By creating this voucher system, we can help promote fishing in Pennsylvania," Senator Robbins said. "This is a fantastic idea that will help more people enjoy one of our state’s most popular outdoor activities."

Fishing licenses cost $22 for an adult Pennsylvania resident, and a trout stamp costs an extra $9. Senior licenses cost $11 for one year or $51 for a lifetime. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 711 legislation to improve computer security by preventing Spyware, a tool used by cyber identity thieves to obtain personal information.

Senate Bill 711 would make it a crime to distribute Spyware to a computer without the user's consent or knowledge. Spyware is a term for a computer program that gathers information through the user's Internet connection and transmits it to a third party. This information, which includes passwords and personal identification numbers, can be used to commit fraud.

In addition to being used by identity thieves, Spyware may also affect a computer's basic operations. Spyware can be used to modify a user's bookmarks and home page, manipulate search engines, remove or disable anti-virus software or trigger other harmful downloads to the user's computer.

Senate Bill 711 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Special Session Senate Bill 1, also known as the Alternative Energy Investment Act, was approved by the Senate on Wednesday. This bill proposes to invest $650 million over 10 years -- without any tax increases -- in programs designed to increase the development and use of alternative and renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

The $650 million would be allocated as follows:

$250 million to Commonwealth Financing Authority for alternative energy grants/loans.
$130 million for Alternative Energy Production Tax Credits.
$100 million for Consumer Energy Projects.
$100 million for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
$50 million for Solar Panel Purchase and Installation.
$15 million for Hybrid Vehicle Rebates.
$5 million for Home Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

On Tuesday, the Senate again approved another bill to extend the MCARE program, which provides a financial safety net to help Pennsylvania’s health care providers cover their medical malpractice insurance costs.

House Bill 489 was amended in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday to provide a one-year reauthorization of the MCARE (Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error) program, which is set to lapse at the end of 2007.

HB 489, as amended, contains similar language to Senate Bill 1137, another MCARE reauthorization bill approved by the Senate on October 30, but stalled in the House.

HB 489 caps the amount of money that can be reallocated from the MCARE fund for health care cost containments efforts. The bill caps funding next year for the reduction of hospital acquired infections and for grants to establish electronic medical records systems at $25 million each. All remaining money will be placed in escrow to be held against the approximately $1.7 billion future liability in the MCARE fund.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate approved House Bill 131, legislation which would prohibit municipalities from charging fees for police services related to motor vehicle accidents.

Since 2004, several Pennsylvania municipalities have enacted ordinances that bill insurance companies after police or fire departments respond to traffic accidents. In most cases, those ordinances permit the billing of motorists if their insurance companies reject the bills.

In an effort to collect that money, communities are retaining bill collection companies to go after motorists for payments.

"This is a practice that should end in Pennsylvania," Senator Robbins said "There is no standing for the fee in state law. This bill specifically states that the fee may not be charged."

On Wednesday, legislation -- Senate Bill 915 -- cosponsored by Senator Robbins which provides for a state grant program to assist veteran service organizations (VSOs) with outreach programs for veterans was signed by the Governor. Grant monies will be used for wages, training and equipment costs associated with veteran’s officer outreach programs. SB 915 identifies four VSOs that are eligible for this grant funding: the American Legion; AmVets; Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans, however more may be added provided they are a member of the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322