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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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Department of Health Withdraws Overreaching Regulations
In a major victory for parental rights, medical privacy and constitutional liberties, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has withdrawn its aggressive, overreaching regulatory proposal governing communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the Commonwealth.
Last week, I joined 80 of my fellow House members in submitting comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission raising serious questions about this extreme proposal. Our voices were just some of the nearly 6,000 people who weighed in on the plan, the overwhelming majority of whom opposed the regulations.
Department officials indicate they plan to resubmit the updated regulations once Pennsylvanians’ feedback has been addressed, so I will be taking a close look at any new plans in the weeks ahead.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak out defending your rights. It makes a difference!
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"Semi-Open" Primaries Bill Advances
This week, the House passed House Bill 280, which would open Pennsylvania’s primary elections to unaffiliated voters.
Despite being presented as an “open primary” bill, House Bill 280 does not actually open primaries to all voters. Voters affiliated with minor parties like constitutionalist, green, libertarian, etc. would be excluded under this bill.
The bill would also give unaffiliated voters a privilege that registered Democrats and Republicans do not have: the ability to choose which party’s primary to participate in without changing their voter registration. Independents already have the option to switch their affiliation in order to cast a vote in primary elections, a switch made even easier by online voting registration resources.
This bill does not do what its supporters claim it does, which is why I joined a strong majority of Republicans and several Democrats in voting "no." This topic isn't going away any time soon and I welcome continued feedback from constituents on this issue.
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Establishing Guardrails for Automated Surveillance
The House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing this week titled “Protecting the Fourth Amendment: Establishing Guardrails for Automated Surveillance” to examine automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology and its implications for public safety, privacy and the Fourth Amendment.
In response to growing concerns about ALPRs, legislation has been introduced to set statewide limits on the collection and retention of personally identifiable information and require judicial oversight in certain circumstances. Additionally, companion legislation would allow local municipalities to decide whether to allow these cameras in their communities. A proposal to prevent private vendors from sharing license plate data without authorization is also being discussed.
Testifiers included Lawrence Gerrity of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police; Abington Police Chief Patrick Malloy, who serves as president of the Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association; Jim Harper of the American Enterprise Institute; and Neal Kurk, former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Watch the full hearing here.
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Fighting for Action on Issues that Matter
With Democrats in charge of setting the agenda for the House of Representatives, one of the few tools our caucus has to push for action on an issue is the discharge resolution. Three of them were initiated this week on the following bills:
Senate Bill 1293 is the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which we have been trying to bring up for a vote all session. There are currently four bills addressing this issue, and each time we’ve tried to force a vote through the discharge process, Democrat leaders have re-referred the bills to different committees. It has happened 16 times this session! Rather than give the people of Pennsylvania a voice on this issue, they continue to avoid it. It’s inexcusable.
House Bill 744 would place a ban on gifts to public officials, employees, nominees and candidates. Under the bill, they could not seek or accept gifts of cash in any amount or gifts other than cash that are valued above $50. The discharge petition for this bill was filed on Monday, and on Tuesday, the House State Government Committee — which had been sitting on the bill since March 2025 — unanimously reported it out of committee. It is unclear if or when the bill will be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
Senate Bill 403 would provide local governments with greater flexibility to maintain creeks and streams in their communities to help prevent flooding. This bill has been awaiting consideration in the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee since March 2025. The discharge resolution was filed on Tuesday. So far, no action has been taken on the bill.
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Java with Joe: Conversations Over Coffee
My next Java with Joe is coming up soon. I hope you’ll be able to join me for a meaningful conversation and updates on current legislative work.
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Upcoming Unclaimed Property Event
Did you know the PA Treasury keeps track of unclaimed financial assets such as lost paychecks, unused bank accounts and more? Many times, this property goes unclaimed because of simple mistakes, like misspelled names or out-of-date home addresses.
To see if you or a relative have unclaimed property:
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Come to my event on Friday, Oct. 9, any time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at my district office. (Drop in/no appointment needed and no need to RSVP.)
*Event attendees should bring their driver’s license/state photo ID, checking account information and if managing a deceased person’s unclaimed property, a death certificate. If you don’t have a death certificate, you can apply for one at our office. If claiming property for a business, bring the tax ID number/EIN number. |
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Submit online at PATreasury.gov/Unclaimed-Property. |
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Call the Treasury at 800-222-2046. |
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Call my office at 717-840-4711 or use my website contact form for assistance. |
We’re here to help! This is money that already belongs to you — it’s time to get it back in your hands.
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Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast: Registration Open
Veterans of the 47th District: Register for our Nov. 6 Veterans Appreciation Breakfast by Oct. 26 or until seats are filled!
Veterans and one guest are invited to attend this FREE event.
RSVP to RepJoeD.com/events or call 717-840-4711.
Join us as we honor and thank the veterans of the 47th Legislative District for their service and sacrifice.
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Avoid Health Insurance Scams
With annual open enrollment periods set to begin soon for both Medicare and Pennie, the state’s health insurance marketplace, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is offering tips for consumers to avoid being scammed.
When researching options online, type the name of the website directly into the search engine. For Medicare, it’s Medicare.gov, or call 800-633-4227. Pennie’s website is www.Pennie.com or call 844-844-8040.
Take your time. Look for small “Ad” or “Sponsored” labels next to search results to identify paid ads and scroll past them.
Get help to compare costs, coverage and plans. Assistance with Medicare is available through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), provided by the Department of Aging. Call the PA MEDI Helpline at 800-783-7067 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or reach out to your local county Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for one-on-one phone, virtual or in-person counseling sessions.
Suspect a health insurance scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. If the scam involves Medicare, report it at Medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227.
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Safe Charging is Focus of Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week kicks off this Sunday, Oct. 4, with the theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower.”
The campaign focuses on everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer. The National Fire Protection Association offers these tips:
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Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer. |
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Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk or bare floor. |
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Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds. |
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Unplug your device when it’s fully charged. |
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Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside when possible. Do not block exits when charging. |
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When on a plane, keep devices where you can see them while charging. Do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. |
More information from the National Fire Protection Association is available here.
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Attention First-Time Hunters!
Hunter-Trapper Education courses are required for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) offers both in-person and online options.
The course covers responsible hunting behavior, firearms basics and safety, basic shooting, wildlife conservation and management, outdoor safety and survival, hunting techniques, trapping and furtaking basics, and hunting safety.
The following options are available:
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PGC’s Basic Hunter-Trapper Education In-Person Course is offered free of charge to anyone age 11 and older. Classes are held in various locations across the Commonwealth. A schedule is available at www.pgc.pa.gov. |
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An interactive online version of PGC’s Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Course is offered to Pennsylvania residents age 11 and older. The fee for this course is $49.95. |
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PGC’s official online course is offered to Pennsylvania residents age 16 or older. The fee for this course is $34.95. |
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The National Rifle Association offers a free online hunter education course to Pennsylvania residents age 11 and older. |
Visit www.pgc.pa.gov for more information.
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Fall, Winter Trout Stocking Underway
Now through mid-December, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be conducting its fall and winter trout stocking at dozens of waterways across the Commonwealth.
PFBC will stock approximately 114,700 hatchery-raised adult Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout in 117 stream sections and lakes. These stockings will replenish some of the most popular fishing spots across the Commonwealth and provide ice fishing opportunities as conditions allow throughout the winter. Trout stocked during fall and winter can be fished immediately.
Click here to learn more and access stocking schedules.
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