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The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a hearing this morning on milk pricing, specifically the over order premium and stranded costs. The committee heard from the Department of Agriculture, which offered two recommended statutory changes, from dairy producers, cooperatives, and milk dealers. Look for the complete story on the Capitol Toolbox this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: dairy, milk | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee voted unanimously report as amended SB 672. The legislation amends the Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law to prohibit the use of carbon monoxide systems as a means of animal destruction. The adopted amendment provides an exemption for research facilities registered and inspected under federal law and for activity undertaken in a normal agricultural operation as defined in the Right to Farm Law; provides the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to develop the criteria for issuing an euthanasia technician license; and establishes the Department of Agriculture as the enforcing authority for the act. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by jeff | Tags: animal euthanasia, carbon monoxide systems, Department of Agriculture, State Board of Veterinary Medicine | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy & Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees received an update from the EPA, and Secretaries Redding and Hanger, on the implications of the new Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), designed to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution in the bay. John Capacasa, Director of the EPA’s Water Protection Division, along with Robert Koroncai, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Manager, noted full controls on the three pollutants are due by 2025, giving Pennsylvania and the other bay states 15 years to comply, with milestones to be reviewed by the EPA every two years. Members raised concerns regarding the cost of implementing the controls, the relative lack of federal funding, and the questionable nature of direct benefits for the commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by mike | Tags: agriculture, Chesapeake Bay, DEP, EPA, pollution, total maximum daily solids | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee reported out as amended SB 435 and, as committed, SB 1117. These bills allow county commissioners the option to abolish the office of jury commisioner. The members also reported as committed SB 1091 which brings the coroner’s law into line with the Right to Know law; SB 1155 which updates existing bonding requirements for county elected and appointed officials; and HB 1609 amending the Municipalities Planning Code to further provide for traditional neighborhood developments. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the complete story. Posted by jeff | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Senate Local Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a public hearing to consider the nomination of Russell Redding to the post of Secretary of Agriculture in the closing year of the Rendell Administration. Committee Chairman Mike Brubaker praised Mr. Redding for his years of service in the agricultural industry and for the positive rapport he developed among legislators, professionals in the field, and constituents. After questions from the panel and confirmation from Mr. Redding that he would work to ensure that Pennsylvanians in every industry under the Department of Agriculture’s scope would have a friend to rely on, the committee unanimously approved Mr. Redding’s appointment. The confirmation will now go to the Senate Floor for final approval. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by lindsay | Category: Administration, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Agri Committee met this morning to consider the renomination of Luke Brubaker (no relation to the chairman) to the Milk Marketing Board. Several senators asked questions about the milk market and how to ensure that dairy farmers are able to make enough money to remain in operation. Brubaker was also praised extensively for his past work in the industry and his nomination was unanimously reported to the full Senate. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this morning. Posted by Kim | Tags: Lincoln University, Milk Marketing Board | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
Senate Agriculture met today to consider a number of bills. HB 39 and SB 298 were reported as amended, while SB 607, 698 and SR 132 were committed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by mike | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Local Government Committee met to consider five bills, all of which were unanimously reported as committed with little to no discussion. Senator Vogel questioned the elimination of the deadline in SB 284, but ultimately voted for the bill. Posted by Kim | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Senate Local Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee met today with multiple representatives of Pennsylvania’s agricultural community to discuss budget and recession concerns facing the Commonwealth’s number one industry. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff was also present to provide short testimony and answer questions from committee members. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: Act 44, agriculture, Budget | Category: Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Local Gov’t Committee met to consider several bills, all of which were reported unanimously. The agenda included a package of bills that would increase municipal bid requirement limits, which are expected to be amended later in the process to further refine the inflation adjustment provisions. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox shortly. Posted by Kim | Tags: Arts Council, bid limits, implementation agreements, Local Government | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Senate Local Government | Comments are closed | Share:
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