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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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The 139th Comes to Harrisburg!
Earlier this week, Maverick Elliott and Julie Fleming were my special guests at the Capitol. Maverick and Julie, both youth wrestlers, were recognized on the floor of the House for each of them winning the prestigious Trinity Award. To earn the Trinity Award, a wrestler must win first place in their respective weight division across all three major national tournaments in a single season: The Kickoff Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tulsa Nationals, also in Tulsa, and Reno Worlds in Reno, Nevada. Joining Maverick and Elliott were moms Ashley Elliott and Donna Fleming, and coaches Van Dobish and Colby Ems. Maverick and Julie train at Delaware Valley Jr Warriors and Mat Assassins Wrestling Club.
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My Bill to Protect Consumers Heads to the Governor for Signature
Legislation to better protect consumers and modernize the best practices for public adjusters has unanimously passed the House and will head to the governor’s desk for signature. By strengthening our public adjuster laws, we are by providing greater transparency, clearer contracts, reasonable limits on fees and stronger protections against conflicts of interest. You can read my full press release here and listen to my comments below:
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Did You Know?
The Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) supports a variety of important community projects by offering tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities. Congratulations to the following:
Green Trees Early Learning Center will receive a $61,750.00 tax credit to open a new site located in Milford Borough, Pike County, to serve an additional 24 children and reduce the waiting list for high-quality childcare by 25%.
Settlers Cares Foundation will receive a $660,600.00 tax credit for their efforts to provide secure housing and essential services for vulnerable youth in Wayne County by combining affordable rentals with career support to foster self-sufficiency and independence.
Wayne County Community Foundation will receive a $94,500.00 tax credit to establish a regional Career & Technical Center in Wayne and Pike counties to expand workforce training access, strengthen the talent pipeline and boost economic opportunity.
Veteran Services Available
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Bill to Restrict ‘Flock’ Cameras Passes House
Amid growing concerns about the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, I joined a majority in the state House this week in voting to restrict its usage and help protect people’s privacy.
House Bill 2771 would restrict government use of plate readers to specific law enforcement activities, including criminal investigations and some types of parking enforcement, as well as controlling access to secured areas. The bill would require data captured by the cameras to be deleted within 72 hours if not relevant to an investigation or enforcement issue.
The measure would also prohibit selling, trading or sharing data captured by ALPRs, which are commonly referred to as “Flock” cameras because it is the most common brand of reader used in the United States.
The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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House Approves School Cell Phone Ban
Legislation that would require schools across the Commonwealth to ban the use of cell phones during the school day was approved this week by the House and Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
The measure includes some exemptions, including students who require a mobile device due to a medical condition of the student or an immediate family member; students who have individual education plans that require them to use their phones; English-language learners who use their phones for translation services; and students who receive permission from the teacher when certain criteria are met.
A school entity would be required to inform parents, guardians, teachers and students about the policy at the beginning of each school year. The policy would have to include information about how parents or guardians can sign up for emergency notifications and how they can contact their child during the school day.
If the law is enacted, a school entity that adopted a policy related to mobile devices prior to the bill’s effective date would be required to amend its policy to comply with this bill no later than the start of the 2027-28 school year.
If Senate Bill 1014 is enacted, a school entity that adopted a policy related to mobile devices prior to the bill’s effective date would be required to amend its policy to comply with this bill no later than the start of the 2027-28 school year.
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Looking to Vote by Mail?
Voters looking to cast their ballots by mail in the 2026 General Election must apply for their mail-in or civilian absentee ballot by Tuesday, Oct. 27. You may click here to do so, orvisit the county Bureau of Elections in your county of residence.
Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This election includes the positions of governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and state House and Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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New Law Cracks Down on Deceptive Telemarketing Schemes
A new law modernizing the Commonwealth’s regulation of telemarketing took effect earlier this week with the goal of cracking down on spoofing, robocalls, scam texts and more.
Act 47 of 2026 prohibits telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m., and at any time on Sundays and legal holidays. It requires prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages for those on the Do-Not-Call List and prohibits deceptive or fraudulent practices used to obtain a consumer’s consent.
The law also prohibits telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers. It allows consumers to opt out of telemarketing text messages by responding with commonly recognized terms such as “STOP,” “QUIT,” “END,” “CANCEL” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.” Finally, it requires telemarketers to stop their solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.
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DEP Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its Environmental Education Grants Program through Friday, Nov. 13.
Eligible applicants include public and private schools and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Projects must be implemented July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. There are three tiers of awards available: Seed Grants for projects up to $5,000; Grow Grants for projects between $5,001 and $30,000; and Impact Grants for projects between $30,001 and $65,000.
Learn more about the grant program and how to apply here.
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