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Senate Bill
Improves Veteran Outreach Programs
Legislation aimed at
improving outreach assistance and support programs for Pennsylvania's large
veteran population was approved by the Senate and
signed into law.
Act 66 of 2007, sponsored by Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), will provide financial
assistance to the Veterans Administration accredited service officer programs
offered by nationally chartered veteran service organizations. These include
the American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and
the Disabled American Veterans.
The state Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs will coordinate the program and work to
enhance the availability of veterans' assistance throughout the state.
Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for the number of armed service members
serving on active duty, with at least one in four of today's soldiers returning
from combat seeking federal Veterans Administration compensation for
service-connected injuries or illnesses.
Senate Passes
Bill Promoting Veteran-Owned Businesses
The Senate approved legislation that would encourage state agencies to
contract with veteran-owned businesses.
Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), would require
the Department of General Services to head the effort, and would set an annual
contracting goal of not less than 5 percent for businesses owned by veterans.
The legislation is an outgrowth of a successful program, VETWORK YOUR
BUSINESS, which was launched in 2005 in Philadelphia. It provides veteran-owned businesses with the training and contacts necessary to access large
private sector companies for contract opportunities.
Senate Passes
"Helmets To Hardhats" Bill for Military Veterans
Legislation to make
it easier for men and women of the Armed Forces to be certified as commercial
drivers in civilian life was
approved by the Senate.
Senate Bill 262
was authored by Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia), who worked with the
departments of Transportation and Labor and Industry on the legislation. The
bill is a component of a program known as "Helmets
to Hardhats."
Many individuals serving in the military have years of experience driving
vehicles similar to those that require a commercial driver's license in
Pennsylvania and other states. The legislation permits those who have the
requisite military driving experience to apply for a waiver of commercial
licensing requirements with the Department of Transportation, provided that
they have at least two years of experience operating vehicles similar to those
that require a commercial license in Pennsylvania.
Tax Relief for
Service Members Moves Forward
The Senate Finance
Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), recently approved measures to
provide tax relief to Pennsylvanians serving in the military and to employers
who hire "citizen-soldiers."
Senate Bill 143, sponsored by Sen. James
Rhoades (R-Schuylkill), would exempt military personnel on active duty
outside this Commonwealth from occupational assessment, per capita, and other
similar taxes.
Senate Bill 330, sponsored by Sen. Bob
Robbins (R-Mercer), would amend the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to provide a tax
credit for employers of members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.
Other measures approved by the committee would relieve certain members of the
Armed Forces from several local tax filing deadlines, and provide an extension
of exemption from payment of real estate taxes to the surviving spouse of a
veteran who was killed or missing in action.
Other Measures
Enacted to Support Military Veterans
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Military Family Relief Assistance
Program Enacted
The Senate approved a new program that assists Pennsylvania service
members and their families who have immediate financial needs as a
result of their military service.
The Military Family Relief Assistance Program allows Pennsylvanians
to use a check-off on their state tax returns to contribute to a
fund that will help military families in need. The
program provides grants of up to $2,500 to eligible Pennsylvania
service members and their eligible family members.
Act 40 of 2005 (Tax check-off),
Act 65 of 2005 (program implementation)
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Extending Medical Insurance for
Servicemen and Women
The Senate approved a measure that extends the time that full-time
students called to active military duty could be covered under
their parents' medical insurance plans.
Most health insurance policies allow parents to include coverage for
their children until age 23 as long as they are full-time students.
However, some members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and Air
Guard are being called out of the classroom and on to active duty
for assignments that can last a year or longer. The active duty
time means that many will be unable to complete their studies before
reaching age 23. Sponsored by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana), Senate Bill 869 requires
insurance companies to allow families to let the coverage lapse
while the student is on active duty and have it start back up when
the student returns to school, with an extension in coverage equal
to that of the term of duty.
Act 83 of 2005
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Expanded Property Tax Exemptions for
Disabled Veterans
More of Pennsylvania's disabled veterans will be eligible for
property tax exemptions under legislation signed into law.
House Bill 2296 includes guidelines for determining need to extend
current eligibility to a greater number of disabled veterans and
ensure that applicants with the greatest financial need receive
the benefit.
House Bill 2296 was amended to include language from Senate Bill 19,
legislation sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) to
establish guidelines for determining financial need. The bill also
extended eligibility to disabled veterans who own their home with
his or her spouse. Under previous law, a disabled veteran would
only be eligible if he or she was the sole owner of the property.
In addition, the legislation extended the time to review exemptions
from two years to five years.
Act 161 of 2006
Information on
Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
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PA
National Guard to Take Home More Pay
A measure by the Senate will provide tax relief for members of the
Pennsylvania National Guard.
Senate Bill 1139, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), will
exempt from state income tax the pay of Pennsylvania National
Guard members who are called to active state duty during an
emergency. The exemption applies to service within or outside
the Commonwealth.
Previous law applied only to service outside
Pennsylvania. The exemption will apply to tax years after December
31, 2006.
Act 182 of 2006
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Senate Approves Free Education for Families of Fallen Military
The Senate approved legislation that provides tuition credits to
spouses and children of Pennsylvania National Guard members who die
while on active military duty.
Sponsored by Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Committee Chairman Don White (R-Indiana), Senate Bill 1043 benefits
the spouses of deceased Pennsylvania National Guard members who are
killed while serving on Federal or State active duty. The measure
will increase the current benefit for children from a 50-percent
tuition credit to a 100-percent tuition credit, while creating a
100-percent tuition credit for spouses to attend any
Pennsylvania State-owned college or university, or approved trade
school.
Act 105 of 2006
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Senate Acts to
Protect Education Aid for Disabled Guard Members
The Senate passed legislation that preserved a valuable benefit for
National Guard members disabled in the line of duty.
Senate Bill 1081, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer), ensures
that disabled members of the Pennsylvania National Guard remain
eligible for the Educational Assistance Program. The
program offers Pennsylvanians a free, five-year college education in
exchange for agreeing to serve in the National Guard for six years.
However, under previous law, Guard members who became disabled and
could no longer serve were disqualified from the program.
Act 44 of 2006
Also:
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Act 82 of 2005
-- Allowing National Guard members participating in the
Educational Assistance Program additional time to
complete their education if called to active state or federal
duty.
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Act 87 of 2006 – Increases maximum
Educational Assistance
Grants for part-time undergraduate students who are
members of PA National Guard.
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Senate Passes Measure To Clarify
Out-Of-State Guard Duty
The Senate approved legislation to clarify when the governor can
send Pennsylvania National Guard troops to help other states
during emergencies.
House Bill 2157 was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and
Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White
(R-Indiana). The measure amends state Military Affairs laws to
codify the parameters of "active duty" when the Pennsylvania
National Guard aids other states as part of the Emergency Management
Assistance Compact. Previous law specified only "in-state" emergency
response for active state duty for emergency, creating some
confusion when the Pennsylvania Guard responded to the Hurricane
Katrina disaster.
Act 24 of 2006
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Senate Approves Ballot Question for
Persian Gulf Vet Fund
The Senate approved legislation to put a question on the November 7
ballot asking voters whether to establish a state fund to
compensate veterans of the Persian Gulf War for their service.
The ballot question asked voters if the Commonwealth should borrow
$20 million to create the fund for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
who served in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf Conflict while residents of
Pennsylvania. (Voters approved the measure.)
Act 29 of 2006
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Limits on Funeral Demonstrations Clears
General Assembly
Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny) and Sen. Bob
Regola (R-Westmoreland) to limit the scope of demonstrations at
funerals and memorial services was approved by the Senate.
The lawmakers took action
in response to incidents of pickets
and abusive chants targeting Pennsylvania military funerals.
The demonstrators have been targeting grieving family members with
vulgar language and other harassments to protest social and
political issues.
Senate Bill 1150 requires demonstrators to remain 500 feet from any
funeral, memorial service or memorial procession beginning one hour
before and ending one hour after the event. Violators can be charged
with a third-degree misdemeanor.
Act 63 of 2006
Other:
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Act 60 of 2005 -- Clarifying that Pennsylvania National Guard members who are
returning from active duty may not be penalized for renewing or
reinstating vehicle insurance coverage.
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Act 20 and
21 of 2005
-- Reduced-price Hunting and Fishing Licenses for veterans.
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Act 62 of 2005 -- Providing an additional 15 days of annual paid
leave for Pennsylvania National Guard members who are employed by the
Commonwealth and its instrumentalities after returning from active
duty.
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Act 22 of 2006 --
Providing a bonus to Pennsylvanians who are Merchant
Marine veterans who served during World War II.
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Act 59 of 2005 --
Increases the emergency responder (and National Guard) death
benefit
to $100,000 and includes a
heart attack or stroke, which occurred within 24 hours of a
physical training exercise or emergency response, as an eligible
line-of-duty death for the purposes of the state death benefit
program.
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Pippy Bill Allowing Higher Ed Schools to Offer Lower Tuition to
Military Personnel Becomes Law
Legislation sponsored by
Sen. John Pippy (R-37) that will
allow colleges to offer lower, in-state tuition rates for on-line courses to
military personnel has been signed into law.
Senate Passes Bill to Authorize Honor Guard for Military
Burials at Washington Crossing National Cemetery
The State Senate approved legislation sponsored by state Senator Robert
M. "Tommy" Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) to allow
for formal military burials for veteran soldiers at Washington Crossing National
Cemetery in Bucks County.
Senate Passes Pippy Bill Allowing Higher Ed Schools to Offer Lower Tuition to
Military Personnel
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-37) that
would allow colleges to offer lower, in-state tuition rates for on-line courses
to military personnel.
McIlhinney Military Uniforms Legislation Signed Into Law
Legislation that would prohibit public school officials from discriminating
against members of the Armed Forces was signed into law today, according to Sen.
Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks and Montgomery), the bill’s prime sponsor.
Senate Approves Education Compact for Military Families
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) to
help students of military families cope with the frequent and stressful
relocations associated with active duty service.
Committee Approves Legislation to Allow for Military Burials at Washington
Crossing National Cemetery
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved legislation sponsored by state Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and
Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) to allow for formal military burials of
veterans at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County.
Senate Passes Brubaker Resolution Honoring Hospitalized Veterans
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a resolution saluting hospitalized veterans,
according to Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36), the resolution's sponsor.
Committee Backs Robbins Bill Helping Veterans Homes
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved legislation introduced by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) intended to
alleviate the nursing shortage in Pennsylvania’s six veterans' homes.
Senate Committee Questions Halt In Veterans' Home Admissions
In the wake of reports that Pennsylvania has stopped admitting veterans to the six homes across the state, the Senate Veterans
Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a public hearing to get to the bottom of the problem.
Robbins Bill Eliminates Costly Construction Mandate
Legislation drafted by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50), Senate Bill 1001, would
eliminate an impending mandate that would drive up the costs of new housing and
increase the burden on municipalities with existing water supply problems.
Senator Lisa Baker - Floor Remarks – State Budget & Veterans Services
Of all the desperation tactics we have seen in regard to
state spending cuts and Senate Bill 850, the effort to scare veterans and their
families is the most unfortunate and most indefensible.
Senator Baker Says Key Veterans' Services Are Safe (PDF)
Waugh Garners Senate Support for Vietnam Veteran Diploma Legislation
The Senate of Pennsylvania unanimously passed
Senator Mike Waugh’s (R-York) Senate Bill 674, which extends the honorary
diploma program known as "Operation Recognition" to honorably discharged Vietnam
veterans.
Senate Passes McIlhinney Military Uniforms
Legislation
The Senate approved legislation by a vote of 49-1
that would prohibit public school officials from discriminating against members
of the Armed Forces, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks and
Montgomery).
Legislators Debate Governor's Plan to Close Scotland School for Veterans'
Children
Members of the Senate and House
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees held a joint hearing in
Harrisburg to seek input on Governor Rendell's proposal to close the Scotland
School for Veterans' Children, according to Senator Lisa Baker (R-20).
- Senator Baker
- Senator Alloway
- Senator Robbins
Proposed Closing of
Scotland School for Veterans' Children
 Part
1 - 2
hours
Part
2 - 1
hour 15 minutes
Senators Robbins, Orie Propose Military Hiring
Bills
Following up on efforts to assist Pennsylvania’s veterans and National Guard
members, Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) and Senator Jane Orie (R-40) are
introducing legislation to provide tax credits to employers who hire service
members.
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