The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met this morning to consider six bills. Of those six, five were reported out of committee. The sixth bill, SB 1339, was said to be controversial. The Chairman decided to table the bill pending a hearing in the future. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Posted by Eric | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
In traditional Tuesday fashion, there is a lot of activity in the Capitol this morning. Over the course of my morning, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee has favorably recommended the Governor’s nominee to be Secretary of Banking and moved a bill forward; the House Appropriations Committee has moved another four bills forward; and crowds are gathered in the Rotunda to kick off the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Look for full coverage of these events and the dozen more that PLS is covering today in the Capitol Toolbox. Posted by Kim | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Appropriations, Press Conference, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Michael Consedine as Insurance Commissioner this morning, moving the process forward for a full vote by the Senate. During his confirmation hearing Consedine spoke to the multitude of challenges facing the Pennsylvania insurance market, including healthcare reform, the Mcare Fund, the Blues’ surplus accounts, and adultBasic among others. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: adultBasic, blues, Health Care, insurance, Mcare Fund | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee today conducted a public hearing on HB 2246. The original intent of the legislation was to amend Title 75 to enhance penalties against drivers who recklessly cause an accident that kills or seriously injures an emergency responder acting in his or her official capacity. However, the House adopted an amendment on the floor allowing attorneys to argue specific award amounts for non-economic damages. This provision was the subject of the public hearing. Representatives from the auto insurance industry and business groups testified in opposition to the provision while the Pennsylvania Association for Justice spoke in favor. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: civil justice system, Title 75, tort reform | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee held a public hearing on short-term loans, aka payday lending, and legislation by Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) that would establish various short-term lending protections. The committee heard from Banking Secretary Stephen Kaplan, as well as the Chief Government Relations Officer for Florida-based lending enforcement and monitoring company Veritec Solutions, the CEO of Belco Community Credit Union, and the Executive Director of pro-payday lending Consumer Rights Coalition. Secretary Kaplan told the committee payday lending is currently illegal in Pennsylvania, and said Senator Browne’s legislation, SB 1071, constitutes an effort to authorize “various formulations” of the practice by purporting to establish protections for consumers. He said the Better Choice program offered by the state’s credit unions offer a better option for consumers. Veritec Solutions representative Nathan Groff told members that current Florida law largely mirrors Senator Browne’s proposal, and has been effective in regulating the short term loan market in that state. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously voted to approve an amended version of SB 507, legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) that would establish an independently-managed high risk health insurance pool in Pennsylvania. Senator Folmer characterized the bill, which was originally introduced as part of a health care package three years ago, as one effort to begin moving the health care discussion forward in Pennsylvania. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee held a public hearing on SB 204, legislation sponsored by Senator John Pippy (R-Allegheny)that was drafted in response to complaints from optometrists and opticians regarding alleged monopolistic practices of Highmark subsidiary Davis Vision. Senator Pippy’s legislation, which Davis Vision, the National Association of Vision Care Plans and various Chambers of Commerce are opposed to, would outlaw various practices identified as “hampering competition.” Following testimony from both sides, Chairman Don White (R-Indiana) said there appear to be two very different stories being painted, and advised he will be working to find “straight answers.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later for full coverage on the story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Health Care, insurance, vision | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
Senate Banking & Insurance Committee The committee met to receive testimony on health care reform, and in particular single-payer coverage. Members in attendance included Chairman Don White (R-Indiana), Minority Chairman Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia), and Senators Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), Jake Corman (R-Centre), Jane Earll (R-Erie), and John Rafferty (R-Montgomery). Discussion centered around SB 400, single-payer legislation introduced by Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny). Continue reading Freemium Content — Senate Banking & Industry hearing on single-payer health care Posted by Mike | Tags: food, Health Care, single payer, transparency | Category: Freemium Content, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee reported as amended SB 711 providing for table games and gaming reform with six negative votes (Alloway, Corman, McIlhinney, Piccola, Robbins and Yaw). An omnibus amendment from Senator Pileggi was adopted with the same six senators voting “No”. An amendment to the Pileggi amendment offered by Senator Mellow to add a third Class 3 license was defeated by a voice vote. An amendment by Senator Alloway prohibiting a license being issued at a location within 12 linear miles of a national military park was also defeated by a voice vote. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Environmental Hearing Board, EQB, gaming, resentencing guidelines, table games | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance, Senate Rules | Comments are closed | Share:
At a hearing this morning, the Senate Banking and Insurance committee discussed the possibilities for instituting health care reform, and in particular single-payer coverage, in Pennsylvania. Debate centered around SB 400, single-payer legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny), as panels both for and against single-payer coverage testified before the committee. The bill would extend coverage to all Pennsylvanians and be funded by a 3% personal income tax increase and a 10% business payroll tax. Committee Chairman Don White (R-Indiana) noted that the hearing, while significant, is only a single step towards reform. Both sides agreed continuing the debate is vital for improving the state of health care in Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Frankel, single payer | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
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