WEEKLY SESSION NOTES
Senate Republican Policy Committee
Sen. Jake Corman, Chairman

Monday, October 22, 2007

Senate Bill 1065 (Armstrong) would designate the newly-replaced bridge on Dillerville Road in the City of Lancaster, Lancaster County (State Bridge No. 36-4009-0030-0000) as the Edward Anthony Davis Memorial Bridge.  United States Navy Captain Davis was an ex-prisoner of war who was awarded three Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit with combat citation, four Bronze Stars with Valor Device, five Air Medals, two Purple Hearts and three Navy Commendation Medals with Valor Device for military service during the Vietnam era.  Captain Davis died November 7, 2006 at 67 years of age and was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.  Passed:  47-0.

Senate Resolution 165 (Baker) designates the month of October 2007 as "Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month" and observes October 7 through 13 2007 as "National Fire Prevention Week."  The resolution also urges all Pennsylvanians to heed fire safety messages and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Pennsylvania's fire and emergency service providers.  Adopted by Voice Vote.

Senate Resolution 202 (C. Williams) recognizes the week of October 21 through 27, 2007 as "National Massage Therapy Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Senate Bill 861 (Greenleaf) would amend the Judicial Code to add seven new court of common pleas judgeships as follows:  two in the 12th judicial district (Dauphin); two in the 38th judicial district (Montgomery); one in the 39th judicial district (Franklin/Fulton); one in the 45th judicial district (Lackawanna); and, one in the 51st judicial district (Adams).  The new judgeship for the 39th judicial district would be established on January 2, 2012, and initially filled by election at the 2011 municipal election.  The remaining judgeships would be established on January 4, 2010, and initially filled by election at the 2009 municipal election.  Passed:  47-2.

Senate Bill 1017 (Brubaker) would amend the Phosphate Detergent Act to require household dishwashing cleaning agents to contain 0.0% phosphorous.  Under current law, household dishwashing cleaning agents can contain up to 8.7% phosphorous.  Under Section 2 of the act, a household dishwashing cleaning agent could still contain a total amount of phosphorous not exceeding 0.5% that is incidental to manufacturing or that is added to stabilize the agent or its packaging.  The change would take effect July 1, 2010, or immediately, whichever is later.  Passed:  49-0.

House Bill 1644 (Harris) would designate the section of State Route 22/322 from the Mifflintown exit in Juniata County to the Juniata/Mifflin County line as the Dr. L. G. Guiser Memorial Highway.  Passed:  49-0.

Executive Session

Joseph J. O'Neill – Judge, Philadelphia Municipal Court.  (Two-Thirds Vote Required)  Confirmed:  49-0.

Raymond L. Hamill, Esquire – Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Wayne County.  (Two-Thirds Vote Required)  Confirmed:  49-0.

Nominations to Various Boards and Commissions.  (See Attached)  Confirmed:  49-0.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Senate Bill 1133 (Corman) would designate State Route 850 throughout Marysville Borough, Perry County as the Army Private David E. Dietrich Memorial Highway.  Private Dietrich served with distinction in F Troop, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Bridge Combat Team, 1st Armored Division until December 29, 2006 when he was fatally wounded when his combat patrol unit came under attack by small arms fire from enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.  Passed:  49-0.

Senate Resolution 192 (Waugh) designates the month of November 2007 as "Hydrocephalus Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted:  49-0.

House Bill 33 (George) would authorize the Department of General Services (DGS) to lease approximately 2.481 acres in Pine Township, Clearfield County to the township for $1 per year.  The lease would be for one year and automatically renewed from year to year for a period not to exceed 99 years unless terminated by either party with six months' prior notice or as otherwise stated in the lease.  The property would have to be used for township purposes or the lease would automatically be terminated.  The property could not be used as a municipal waste transfer station.  Any facilities on the property used for township recycling would be screened from view or incorporated inside a structure on the property.  The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the concurrence of DGS, reserves the right to review and comment on all designs to make improvements to the property.  The departments would have a 60-day period for review and comment.  No portion of the property could be used for a gaming facility or the lease would terminate immediately.  Costs and fees incidental to the lease would be borne by Pine Township.  Passed:  49-0.