FYI by PLS » Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure

Senate committee moves Allegheny County public transit measure

Mike — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:52:56 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this morning approved an agenda of bills, among them HB 10 which would remove a provision in existing law restricting sole control of providing transportation services in Allegheny County to the Port Authority. The bill would allow the PUC to regulate additional service providers, and was reported out despite opposition from Democratic members of the committee.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

Senate Committee approves True nomination

intern — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:51:11 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee met today to consider the nomination of Katie True as Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. True spoke about her vision for the Bureau and mentioned changes within the Bureau as well as issues they are dealing with. The nomination was approved unanimously after questioning. The committee also considered HB 1336 concerning improvement retailers, which was reported as amended.

Read the full story in the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later on.

Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Discusses Weights and Trainers

Eric — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:22:10 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee voted through four pieces of legislation with three amendments: SB 321 (weights and measures), SB 341 (fuel testing), SB 957 (osteopathic medical practice) and SB 967 (athletic trainers). Most discussion centered on the proper way to regulate weight and measuring systems in the different counties. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Senate Committee Conducts Hearing on Health Care Licensing

Jeff — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:54:31 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee conducted a public hearing on the health care licensing and the complaint, investigation and prosecutorial processes at the Department of State. The committee’s hearing was a second in a series of hearings in the aftermath of the Grand Jury Presentment and Report on the Women’s Medical Society and Dr. Kermitt Gosnell in Philadelphia. The department’s Chief Counsel Steven Tuner outlined the steps taken by the department and the Corbett Administration in response to the Presentment and Report and he responded to questions from the committee members. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Committees Conduct Hearing on Philadelphia Abortion Clinic

Jeff — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:29:21 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee and the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee conducted a joint informational hearing on the Philadelphia Grand Jury investigation of Dr. Kermitt Gosnell and his West Philadelphia abortion clinic. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams along with members of his staff provided an overview of the Grand Jury’s investigation and findings. In addition to charging Gosnell and several of his employees, the Grand Jury was extremely critical of the lack of action by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Department of State for their lack of action in closing the clinic and investigating complaints against Gosnell and the clinic. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Secretary Hanger testifies in favor of amendment to increase solar standard

Rebecca — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:34:21 +0000

DEP Secretary John Hanger testified before the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee in favor of an amendment to HB 1128, which is still being drafted. The amendment, said Secretary Hanger, would cap costs of peak power prices and create jobs. Chairman Bob Tomlinson informed committee members that even though the amendment isn’t yet in print, he would still like to discuss its contents and hear from Secretary Hanger. Many other members offered comments and asked Secretary Hanger questions, but the bill was passed over at this morning’s meeting. Chairman Tomlinson announced the committee will either meet off the Floor later today or tomorrow to vote on HB 1128. Moving on, the committee then reported out HB 1764, HB 2212 and HB 2041. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Senate Consumer Protection moves two PUC Noms Forward

Kim — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:12:13 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this morning approved the nominations of Jim Cawley and John Coleman to the PUC. Cawley has been nominated for his second consecutive term; this would be Coleman’s first term. The nomination of Coleman sailed through with a few questions about Coleman’s background and ability to get up to speed on PUC issues. Several senators raised concern with Cawley’s tenure on the board, particularly a recent TV ad in which he appeared with the president of PPL. Ultimately Cawley’s nomination was also moved forward with four Democratic senators voting against the nomination.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.

Senate Committee Listens to Concerns About Privatizing Weights & Measures Enforcement

Jeff — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:22:16 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee conducted a public hearing on the privatization of weights and measures enforcement in Pennsylvania. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding provided an overview of the department’s efforts to implement the Certified Examiner of Weights & Measures (CEWM) program. Senators along with Bucks County Consumer Advocate and Chief Sealter Michael Bannon and Mary Bach from AARP expressed concern with self-inspections and the potential for conflicts of interests. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Discusses Electricity Pricing

Kim — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:04:11 +0000

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee met with the PUC, consumer and small business advocates, DGS, and industry representatives to discuss the electricity market in PA. Testifiers specifically commented on proposals to create a PA Power Authority, DGS’s efforts to join PJM, Philadelphia’s recent proposal to aggregate, and on municipal aggregation in general.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this evening.

Senate Urban Affairs – 10:00 a.m.

Mike — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:48:45 +0000

The Committee met to consider two bills. SB 900 was reported as amended while SR 142 was reported as committed. Both pieces of legislation deal with blight reclamation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.