Senate passes voip dereg & fallen soldier
 protection bills

Local government Committee approves two bills

During the week of December 3^rd, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a bill that would take action against companies that seek financial gains from images of fallen soldiers and another bill to prevent the state from regulating telephone calls made through a broadband Internet connection, according to Senator Bob Regola (R-39).

Senate Bill 1125 would make it a misdemeanor to publish for commercial purposes a fallen soldier's name or image without the family’s consent, and would preserve the family’s right to file a civil suit to protect their privacy.

The issue first came to light when an Oklahoma family discovered items being marketed on eBay bearing the image of their son who died in combat in Iraq.  A Flagstaff, Arizona, company that sells anti-war and anti-Bush bumper stickers online was distributing the T-shirts, which included the names and images of fallen soldiers along with a political message.

“We cannot enact this law soon enough,” said. Sen. Regola.  “The families of fallen service members suffer enough pain and anguish without having to endure the antics of those unscrupulous individuals and businesses that would tarnish their memory for financial gain.”

            The Senate also approved Senate Bill 1000 -- the Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) Freedom Act -- legislation that would prevent any state government agency from regulating VoIP.  VoIP allows telephone calls to be made via a broadband internet connection instead of a regular phone line.  Use of VoIP services grew by more than 500 percent in the last two years.

            While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has barred states from imposing telecommunication regulations on VoIP-to-VoIP (computer to computer) calls, a recent Federal Court decision has left uncertain the authority of state regulatory agencies over calls that use Voice over Internet Protocol, but have to ultimately go over traditional telephone lines. 

Committee Roundup

The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Senator Regola, approved two bills on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 987 would ensure that fire and emergency medical services are provided for in cities of the third class.  This legislation is a result of a statewide commission, which found that there are currently no consistent municipal statutory statements of authority, responsibility and accountability for fire and emergency medical service within the various forms of local government in the Commonwealth. 

Senate Bill 1141 would promote intergovernmental cooperation by permitting townships to more easily transfer property to a council of government (COG).  COGs are entities created by two or more municipalities organized for specific functions within those municipalities.

###

Contact:  Nathan Silcox (717) 787-6063