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Sen Gene Yaw


Monday, February 2, 2015

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-------------------------------News for the 23rd-------------------------------

More Protections for Leaseholders…

On January 28th, the State Senate unanimously approved two bills I sponsored aimed at expanding the rights of landowners who currently hold leases with natural gas companies.

Senate Bill 147 would expand the Oil and Gas Lease Act by allowing royalty interest owners the opportunity to inspect records of natural gas companies to verify proper payments. The bill also requires all royalty payments to be made within 90 days of production unless otherwise stated in the contract. Any delinquent payments would be paid with interest.

Senate Bill 148 would prohibit a gas company from retaliating against any royalty interest owner by terminating their lease agreement or ceasing development on leased property because the owner questions the accuracy of royalty payments. Companies violating the provisions of this bill would face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day.
 

  -------------------------------Legislative Update---------------------------------

Committee Approves Age Exemption for Jury Duty

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a measure that would provide an age exemption from jury duty.

Senate Bill 210 would exempt those persons 75 years of age or older who wish to be excused from jury duty. At least 26 states exempt elderly persons from serving on juries. Generally, states have set the age qualifying for the exemption at 65, 70 or 75.

Purely Public Charities Bill Sent to Senate

The Senate Finance Committee has approved a measure that would clarify the process for determining the tax-exempt status of public charities.

Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster), is now before the full Senate for consideration.

Bill Would Expand Ignition Interlock Requirement

The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a measure aimed at reducing drunk driving offenses in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 290, sponsored by Senator Rafferty, would make the ignition interlock program mandatory for first-time DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels. Currently, the ignition interlock requirement only applies to second offenses.


 --------------------------------Business spotlight--------------------------------

LeRaysville Cheese Factory, Bradford County

LeRaysville Cheese Factory Tour


 ------------------------------Funding Announcement-----------------------------

$1.1 Million for Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Services

One hundred and six volunteer fire and ambulance service organizations throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties will share in more than $1.1 million in funding through the 2014-15 Fire Company Volunteer Ambulance Services (FCVAS) Grant Program.

All grants awarded were generated from slot machine gaming proceeds through a program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Read more


 ------------------------------Discussion in Lewisburg------------------------------

Visit to Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village

 Senator Yaw at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village
On January 22nd, I visited with Union County residents at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village in Lewisburg where I discussed pension reform, liquor privatization, natural gas expansion and other important issues.


--------------------------------District Outreaches-------------------------------

Do You Need Assistance With State Forms?

Do you need assistance completing birth certificates, death certificates, PennDOT or other related applications and forms? My staff stands ready to assist you. The following district outreaches have been scheduled, and are updated frequently on my website.


February 3, 2015

Canton Library
14 North Center Street
Canton, PA 17724
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 Allen F. Pierce Library
115 Center Street
Troy, PA 16947
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

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 February 5, 2015

Sayre Library
122 South Elmer Avenue
Sayre, PA 18840
10:30 a.m. – noon

 Spaulding Memorial Library
714 South Main Street
Athens, PA 18810
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

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 February 10, 2015

Susquehanna County Conservation
88 Chenango Street
Montrose, PA  18801
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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 February 12, 2015

Wyalusing Public Library
Church Street
Wyalusing, PA 18853
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.


-------------------------------Grant Opportunities------------------------------

Environmental, Firefighting Grants Available
through PA American Water

Established in 2005, Pennsylvania American Water’s annual Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in our local communities. A proposed project must be located within PA American Water Territory; completed between May and November of the grant funding year and be a new innovative community initiative; or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program.

Further, uniformed, professional and voluntary fire departments who service Pennsylvania American Water Service territory are eligible to apply for their 2015 Firefighting grant program.

Read more


---------------------------------Congratulations--------------------------------

Muncy Valley Hospital Receives Award

Muncy Valley Hospital, part of Williamsport-based Susquehanna Health, received the 2014 Louis A. Ditzel Award for Quality Improvement in Rural Health from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) at a ceremony at the hospital on January 7, 2015. The award was accepted by Ronald Reynolds, hospital president, and C. Cynthia Whipple, director of nursing.

Lewisburg, Sayre Listed Among Top Places
for Small Business in the Northeast

As part of a series on small business growth, Lewisburg Borough, Union County and Sayre Borough, Bradford County, have been ranked in the top 10 best places for small business in the Northeast, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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