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In this Update:
IGO Hearing on Record Retention and the Sunshine Law
As chair of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, I convened a hearing this week about public officials and employees using messaging apps (such as Signal and Google Chat) with auto-deletion features, often on personal devices, to conduct business and prevent the retention of public records. The public deserves transparency, access to official records and accountability from public officials, but I am concerned this technology, intentionally or inadvertently, may undermine these core principles. We heard testimony from a media representative, a citizen requester, an attorney who specializes in Right-to-Know Law and Sunshine Act compliance, and local and state government agencies to understand their various perspectives on the use of these apps and how current records retention and access laws may need to be modified. From this diverse group of testifiers there were some common themes expressed about the complexity of and lack of consistency between the various records retention laws for different levels of government, and perceived gaps in compliance and enforcement mechanisms in the Right-to-Know Law and the Sunshine Act. This hearing, as well as ongoing stakeholder input, will guide my legislative efforts to ensure our statutes are appropriately upholding transparency and accountability at all levels of government. The full hearing, as well as written testimony, is available for viewing here. Senate Committee Votes to Preserve Women’s Sports
This week, the Senate Education Committee passed legislation to preserve integrity and fairness in women’s sports, progress that was hard fought decades ago with the creation of Title IX. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 9, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. It would only permit biological females to join teams designated for women. Notably, Senate Bill 9 would allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. Female students who compete in high school and college sports deserve a level playing field. This bill would protect this opportunity for them, allowing fair and equal access to the personal enrichment, character development and fitness sports provide. Bill to Improve School Bus Safety Receives Senate Committee Support
The Senate Transportation Committee this week voted to advance legislation to better protect children by strengthening school bus safety laws. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 65 would increase the required stopping distance for opposing drivers from 10 feet to 15 feet, creating a greater buffer for children entering and exiting the bus. It also strengthens penalties for all offenders via a tiered penalty system. Penalties may include increased fines and mandatory driver education. Drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights would also be subject to penalties. Each year, the Department of Transportation conducts a school bus education and enforcement program. The most recent program, conducted in October 2024, found police officers and bus drivers in 22 school districts reporting 131 violations in a single day. April Hearings Set on Proposed UGI Gas Rate Increase
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold five in-person and telephone hearings in early April to gather public input on proposed rate changes by UGI Gas. The commission voted in February to investigate UGI’s proposal to increase its annual operating revenues for natural gas distribution service by $110.4 million (9.7%). Under the proposal, the average bill for a residential customer using 73.7 hundred cubic feet of natural gas per month would increase from $104.47 to $115.74 per month (10.8%). The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate has more information on the proposed increase here. The PUC lists dates, times and locations of the public hearings and information on how to provide input here. If you can’t take part in a hearing but want to comment, you can find the form to submit a comment here. Youth Invited to Go Fishing on Saturday
Pennsylvania’s Mentored Youth Trout Day gives young people early access to the state’s stocked trout waters. This year, it will be held on Saturday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Youth anglers need a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License, which can be purchased for $2.97, from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Both are available online or at licensing agents across the state. To participate, youth anglers must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler, which are anglers 16 years of age and older. Adult anglers need a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. Youth with a license or permit can take a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of seven inches. Adult anglers may not possess trout. March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day
Nine million Americans served during the Vietnam War era and 58,000 gave their lives. Sadly, because many people didn’t view the war favorably, Vietnam War veterans received a cold reception when they returned to American soil. Some were even deeply mistreated. March 29 marks the day in 1973 when the last United States troops left Vietnam. That same day, 591 American prisoners were released and returned to the United States. Let us recognize those who fought valiantly for our freedoms. We are grateful for their courage and sacrifices.
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