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Senator Regola:  Several major bills approved

bills protect voip from regulation, address mine safety,
 provide colorectal screening

Governor Rendell signed into law the following major bills that were passed by the Senate during the period of June 23^rd through July 4^th, announced Senator Bob Regola (R-39):

Senate Bill 1000 (now Act 52 of 2008) prevents any state government agency from regulating Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.  VoIP allows telephone calls to be made via a broadband internet connection instead of a regular phone line. 

Senate Bill 949 (now Act 55 of 2008), co-sponsored by Sen. Regola, updates Pennsylvania’s mine safety statute for the first time since 1961.  The bill creates a new Board of Coal Mine Safety to keep Pennsylvania’s mine safety standards regularly updated. The seven member board will be chaired by the Secretary of Environmental Protection, with equal representation from mine operators and mine workers.  The bill provides for greater responsibility for operators to ensure mine safety, and enables the state to establish a central database of mine maps.  Pennsylvania is the fourth-largest coal producer in the U.S., following Wyoming, West Virginia and Kentucky. 

House Bill 1150 (now Act 62 of 2008) ensures that the state has regulatory authority over the proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, the two largest health care insurance companies in the Commonwealth.  The bill also requires insurers to provide coverage of autism services and colorectal cancer screenings.  .  

Another key provision in HB 1150 is a requirement that any merger involving the “Blues” be subject to approval by the Department of Insurance.  While the Insurance Department will hold final approval -- or denial -- authority for a merger of non-profit health insurance companies, the bill empowers the Senate and House to receive and review all filings submitted to the Department and to develop written comments and recommendations on the merger filings.

Senate Bill 1341 (Now Act 64 of 2008) authorizes a voter referendum on a $400 million bond for construction and rehabilitation of Pennsylvania’s drinking water supplies and sewage treatment systems.  If the referendum is approved, the bond money would be administered through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).  Financial assistance would be in the form of grants and low-interest loans.

Senate Bill 4 (now Act 69 of 2008), cosponsored by Sen. Regola, allows any individual enrolled in PACE or PACENET to remain eligible for their program if they exceed the maximum income limit due solely to a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA).  The exemption for PACENET will be retroactive to December 31, 2007, while the exemption for PACE recipients will  begin December 31, 2008.  

Senate Bill 1412 (now Act 79 of 2008), co-sponsored by Sen. Regola, reauthorizes Pennsylvania’s Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program, extending the tax-free status for unoccupied zones for an additional seven years, beyond the current Dec. 31, 2008 expiration date.  The bill also authorizes the creation of seven new KOZs.

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Contact:  Nathan Silcox (717) 787-6063