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In this Update:
Senate Supports Bill to Combat High Egg Prices, HPAI
In response to recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and skyrocketing egg prices, the Senate passed legislation to expand the number of certified poultry technicians in Pennsylvania. The governor signed this into law earlier this month. At the request of the state’s egg farmers, House Bill 324 would offer flexibility to farmers and their employees to test poultry for dangerous transmittable diseases that have the potential to decimate poultry flocks. This measure would equip trained technicians to more quickly detect HPAI and contain any further spread. It would also update the outdated blood testing provision to modernize and expand testing to more accurately reflect the various types of dangerous transmittable diseases of poultry. House Bill 324 would safeguard the health of poultry flocks and protect the state’s $7 billion poultry industry. Bill Repealing RGGI Electricity Tax Receives Senate Support
To prevent a new electricity tax, Senate passed legislation with bipartisan support repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). See what I have to say about this important legislation and why the Commonwealth is lagging behind because of RGGI here. Senate Bill 186 would formally repeal Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, ensuring that any decision to impose electricity taxes or emissions programs must go through the legislative process rather than being enacted unilaterally by the executive branch. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Despite bipartisan opposition from the General Assembly, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board pressed ahead with regulations to establish a CO₂ Budget Trading Program – effectively imposing a tax on electricity generation. In 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled that RGGI is a tax and cannot be implemented without legislative approval. However, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s decision to continue to appeal this ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has prolonged uncertainty for workers and businesses across the commonwealth and deepened concerns about energy grid reliability and affordability. Bill Ensuring Great Care at State Veterans’ Homes Passes Senate
To ensure high-quality health care and well-being of veterans, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would enhance oversight at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans’ homes. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. With passage of Senate Bill 129, advisory councils would have 15 members, including a family member of a current or past resident. Nominees would be veterans from the surrounding communities. Advisory councils would make recommendations about resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities to the state adjutant general. The bill would also require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide a subject matter expert for each of the advisory council’s meetings and an annual report to the General Assembly. To increase transparency, it would also stipulate that councils comply with open meeting requirements. Senate Passes Bill Providing Military Benefits to Korean Americans Who Served in Vietnam
Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 173 would grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of U.S. military veterans to Pennsylvania residents who are naturalized U.S. citizens and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces and hundreds now live in Pennsylvania. The bill would apply to any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent. Support for Veterans Struggling with Substance Use
Adapting from military life to civilian life comes with serious challenges. Most veterans, with the support of their loved ones, overcome these difficulties. Others, sadly, resort to using substances as a coping mechanism and develop substance use disorder. More than one in 10 veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, which is higher than the general population. Help is available for veterans, family members and their advocates at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Find local treatment options here. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is active in communities throughout the state to connect troubled veterans to the resources they need for recovery. In a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the state agencies work together to provide supportive services that are person-centered and focused on achieving overall wellness.
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