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FREE Senior Expo September 18

Rep. Joe Hamm and I will host our annual FREE Senior Expo this Thursday, September 18^th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Community Baptist Church in Montoursville.

This event includes door prizes, health screenings, and refreshments. Over 75 exhibitors from government agencies and non-profit organizations will be on hand! We encourage all seniors and their caretakers to come gather information and take advantage of these essential services.

For more information, please call 570-398-4476

Senate Policy Committee Visits Lycoming College

Strategies to strengthen partnerships between educators and workforce development organizations were examined during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee at Lycoming College on September 2^nd.

Legislators, educators, employers, leaders of labor and career development organizations, and students came together to discuss how fostering partnerships can benefit students looking to pursue in-demand careers and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.

Read more HERE.

Guthrie Troy Community Hospital Celebrates 75^th Anniversary

Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Health

Guthrie Troy Community Hospital recently celebrated its 75^th anniversary with staff, local officials and community members – a testament to decades of caring for Pennsylvania residents and meeting their healthcare needs close to home.

Alongside Rep. Clint Owlett and the Bradford County Commissioners, I was proud to present a Senate citation recognizing the hospital’s dedication to providing quality care. Congratulations!

PA VFW Commissions New State Commander

It was an honor to meet Bill Roland, the newly named commander of Pennsylvania’s Veterans of Foreign Wars, who was recognized recently on the Senate Floor. Bill is a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army and retired after 26 years of service. He was named commander during a ceremony in Gettysburg in June.

Chesapeake Bay Commission Highlights Region’s Conservation Partners

The Chesapeake Bay Commission is making real, on-the-ground progress in Pennsylvania. Our recent visit to Centre County highlighted the innovation and commitment of our farmers and conservation partners like Evergreen Farms dairy farm. Operations like these are leading the way in improving water quality and restoring legacy mines.

Williamsport American Rescue Workers Celebrate New Client Choice Food Pantry

The Williamsport American Rescue Workers recently celebrated the opening of their new Client Choice Pantry with an official ribbon cutting. Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office was there to open the new space, where clients will be able to visit and make their own selections, rather than receiving a prepackaged box of food.

Protecting Animals from Painful Experiments

The Senate unanimously approved legislation aimed at protecting dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments.

Senate Bill 381, also known as the Beagle Bill, would:

• Prohibit Commonwealth funds from being used to conduct painful experiments on dogs and cats.
• Require labs to offer animals for adoption for at least 30 days and does not require euthanasia.
• Protect whistleblowers who expose animal cruelty in labs.
• Allow state funding for noncompliant research projects to be suspended by legislative or executive action.
• Require animal testing facilities to prominently post a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Public Search Tool.
• Prohibit the testing and sale of animal-tested cosmetics effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Senate Bill 381 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children

Legislation to improve school bus safety and better protect children traveling to and from school was approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 65 increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet for drivers approaching from the opposite direction when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. It also raises penalties for violations, including higher fines and license suspensions for repeat offenders, and mandates additional driver education or examinations.

It also establishes penalties for drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights, adding an important layer of accountability. During Operation Safe Stop in October 2024, law enforcement and bus drivers across 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day, underscoring the urgency of these reforms.

Senate Approves Bill to Expunge COVID-Era Citations

The Senate approved legislation to expunge punitive COVID-related citations issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) against small businesses with liquor licenses. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives.

Every other commonwealth agency has dropped enforcement actions for COVID-era rule violations, recognizing the difficult situation restaurants faced. However, the PLCB has been using its license renewal process to punish license holders for not complying with COVID-related executive orders. This includes issuing conditional licenses, which come with higher insurance premiums, and requiring the sale of a liquor license, effectively putting someone out of business.

Senate Bill 241 would help local businesses by expunging COVID-related citations from the record of restaurants and bars that are under the purview of the PLCB.

Importance of Community Pharmacies Highlighted at Briefing

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Community pharmacies and the important role they play for Pennsylvania residents was the focus of an informational briefing with pharmacists, the state Department of Human Services, the Insurance Department and others.

Roughly 600 pharmacies have closed across the commonwealth within the last two years, reducing access to professionals serving on the frontlines of health care. The Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus discussed the impacts of Act 77 of 2024, the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) reform measure. The law banned harmful practices, strengthened network adequacy requirements, increased PBM transparency and accountability and implemented additional oversight.

Further action needed to protect community pharmacies was among the topics explored at the briefing, which can be viewed here.

Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities

The Senate passed legislation supporting opportunities for Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans to participate in outdoor traditions.

Senate Bill 533 would streamline requirements for hunting and furtaking licenses and refine special permits for regulated hunting grounds to specifically benefit disabled veterans who take part in hunting events.

The legislation makes it easier for organizations to host hunts for disabled veterans by clarifying the permitting process and reducing unnecessary barriers, ensuring more veterans can be included in these events. Senate Bill 533 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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