The state Senate is in session this week.  There are a number of items of interest to the business community scheduled to be considered in committee or before the full chamber.

Two PA Chamber-supported bills that fall under our “Bringing PA Back” policy initiative are slated to be considered by the full Senate.  Senate Bill 463 would create a Sales and Use Tax exemption for certain equipment purchased by data centers. This would improve the Commonwealth’s overall competitiveness by bring the sales tax treatment of data centers in line with 29 other states.  House Bill 230 would require the state’s Independent Fiscal Office, upon the request of a member of the General Assembly, to conduct a dynamic scoring analysis of the fiscal impact of any proposed legislation that could have an impact in excess of $50 million. The analysis would include information on the probable behavioral responses to the proposed changes by taxpayers, businesses and other persons. The PA Chamber supports this good government measure to help lawmakers make more informed decisions when casting their vote on legislation that could have far-reaching economic impacts.

Also potentially on the Senate’s agenda is S.B. 147, which would direct employers with certified safety committees to include prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction awareness and education among their areas of focus.  The PA Chamber supports this bill.

The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee will hold a joint hearing on Wednesday, May 12 on S.B. 284. This legislation would require the Environmental Quality Board with promulgating regulations which establish bonding requirements for developers seeking to install or operate wind, solar and other renewable energy facilities in the state.

The full list of committee meetings, which is subject to change, is available on the General Assembly website.