Harrisburg Happenings

By Senator Bob Mensch
24th Senatorial District

Anti-Methamphetamine Bills Headed to Governor

The Senate concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 126 and House Bill 485 on Tuesday and sent the measures on to the Governor for enactment into law.

SB 126 amends the Controlled Substances Act to require defendants convicted of operating illegal labs to pay for the environmental clean-up costs associated with the lab. HB 485 amends the Crimes Code to provide penalties for operating a methamphetamine lab and the illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste.

Both bills also add additional precursor substances to the list of those already used to manufacture methamphetamine. The Attorney General, district attorneys and law enforcement officials requested the additional precursor substances. Since enactment of previous legislation to combat methamphetamine production, meth lab operators have been creative in applying new chemicals in the manufacturing process.

Senate Approves Expanded Role for Dental Assistants

The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday adding to the list of procedures allowed to be performed by "Expanded Function Dental Assistants" under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. House Bill 602 amends "The Dental Law" to allow Expanded Function Dental Assistants to perform the following additional procedures:

• Perform coronal polishing;
• Perform fluoride treatments, including fluoride varnish; and
• Taking impressions of teeth for athletic impressions.

The bill adds a new provision to the oversight responsibilities of the supervising licensed dentist by requiring in cases where the Expanded Function Dental Assistant has performed any of the allowed procedures that the work must be evaluated by the dentist before the patient is dismissed.

HB 602 now goes to the Governor for enactment into law.

Municipal Manager Bills Approved by Senate

On Monday, the Senate approved a five-bill package that provides for local governments to hire and fire a manager or administrator. While many municipalities already have this position, it is not adequately addressed in existing state law.

The bills in the package include: Senate Bill 1059 (First Class Townships); Senate Bill 1060 (Second Class Township); Senate Bill 1061 (Incorporated Towns); Senate Bill 1062 (Boroughs); Senate Bill 1063 (Third Class Cities).

The bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Committee Approves "High Risk Pool" Legislation

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved Senate Bill 507 on Wednesday. The legislation creates a "High-Risk Pool" as an alternative for individuals with severe health conditions to obtain affordable health insurance.

Senate Bill 507 is a key part of the 15-bill Senate Republican HealthNET PA package of legislation to expand access and improve the quality of health care for Pennsylvania’s citizens.

Senate Bill 507 establishes a governing board to be appointed by the Governor and General Assembly, which would include insurers, health care experts, the business community, and members of the general public. The Pennsylvania Health Insurance Pool (PHIP) Board would then hire an administering insurer - through competitive bid - to manage the pool.

Committee Holds Hearing on Electric Rates and Markets

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday to hear testimony on a number of issues involving electric rates and markets. The committee heard from representatives of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), the Department of General Services, consumer advocates and manufacturers on how the Commonwealth should proceed as the remaining electric rate caps are set to expire.

The General Assembly has been working with these groups to provide customers with the tools they need to keep costs down and take advantage of energy efficiency and conservation programs. Electricity rate caps have been removed for seven of Pennsylvania's regional utility companies. Those companies account for approximately 40 percent of the state's electric customers – the largest being PPL Electric Utilities, Inc., which removed rate caps at the beginning of 2010. The remaining rate caps will expire January 1, 2011, which includes PECO, Pennsylvania's largest supplier.

Much of the testimony centered on whether customers would benefit if the Department of General Services gains membership to the PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Other topics discussed included municipal aggregation and the creation of a Pennsylvania Power Authority. Many of those testified that Pennsylvania must encourage customers to reduce costs by choosing a competitive supplier and adopting energy efficiency and conservation measures. They said customer education is crucial to ensuring that consumers are aware of the options available to them.

More information about the hearing is available at www.pasenategop.com.

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