How Our Lawmakers Voted, 3/5/2025

HARRISBURG – The following is a collection of recent state legislature votes and how Sentinel area lawmakers voted.

State Senate

Senate Bill 210

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to operation of vehicles, providing for the offense of interference with operation or movement of a public transit vehicle.

Known as Bernard Gribbin’s Law in honor of a SEPTA employee shot and killed in 2023. Any interference causing the serious bodily injury or death of an operator, or other individual, would be punishable by a felony of the first degree. Interference resulting in bodily injury, or the fear of imminent serious bodily injury or death, would constitute a felony of the third degree. 

VOTE: 48 Yes, 1 No
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 173

An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, providing for veterans of Korean Armed Forces.

The Pennsylvania Korean VALOR act, it would grant the same rights, benefits, and privileges of United States military veterans to any resident of the Commonwealth who is both a Vietnam War veteran of the Korean Armed Forces and a duly naturalized citizen of the United States. Over 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served with Korea in the Vietnam War live in Pennsylvania, according to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery).

VOTE: 49 Yes, 0 No
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 129

An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further providing for advisory councils for veterans’ homes.

VOTE: 49 Yes, 0 No
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

House Bill 324

An Act amending the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1429, No.466), referred to as the Poultry Technician Licensure Law, further providing for collection of samples, for technician requirements, for licensure, for powers and duties of Secretary of Agriculture and for blood sample restrictions.

The bill updates the law to allow legal residents to be Certified Poultry Technicians. Currently, the law only allows U.S. citizens.

VOTE: 45 Yes, 4 No
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 186

An Act providing for the abrogation of regulations relating to the CO2 Budget Trading Program.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Tioga/Union), is in response to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

VOTE: 31 Yes, 18 No
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 186

An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, establishing the Independent Energy Office; and making an appropriation.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw, would establish an Independent Energy Office similar to the Independent Fiscal Office.

VOTE: 27 Yes, 21 No, 1 No Vote
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 154

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Public Utility Code, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

Sponsored by Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton), it intends to develop a strengthened version of the Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act—one that not only reinforces critical consumer protections but also prevents unsustainable rate increases that disproportionately impact seniors and working families, according to Boscola’s sponsorship memorandum.

VOTE: 41 Yes, 7 No, 1 No Vote
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 149

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles.

The bill would exempt newer vehicles from emissions testing.

VOTE: 28 Yes, 20 No, 1 No Vote
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

Senate Bill 35

This bill, a companion to Senate Bill 149, would exempt Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, and Westmoreland from the emissions testing requirement.

VOTE: 27 Yes, 21 No, 1 No Vote
YES: Argall, Schlegel-Culver

House of Representatives

House Bill 439

An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for definitions.

Known as the Pennsylvania CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair and would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, hair texture or hairstyle.

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Bill 261

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, further providing for conditions subject to which policies are to be issued and for group accident and sickness insurance; and, in community health reinvestment, further providing for definitions.

The bill updates terminology in the act to replace the terms “physical handicaps” and “mental retardation” with “physical disability” and “intellectual disability.”

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Bill 77

An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in food protection, further providing for definitions, providing for food allergy awareness and further providing for powers of department.

According to the sponsorship memo, the bill would mandate menu disclaimers, educational posters, and food allergy safety training.

VOTE: 150 Yes, 52 No
YES: Twardzik
NO: Barton, Heffley, Leadbeter, Stehr, Walsh, Watro

Senate Bill 184

An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for visiting team physician.

In anticipation of the FIFA World Cup, which will be partially hosted in Philadelphia, the bill will allow athletes to be treated by their travelling team doctor. Current law requires said doctors be licensed in Pennsylvania.

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Resolution 35

A Resolution designating March 9, 2025, as “Charter Day” and Pennsylvania’s 344th birthday in Pennsylvania.

The resolution urges state residents, schools and other educational institutions and patriotic, religious, historical and veterans groups to participate with Charter Day activities held within the Commonwealth.

VOTE: 199 Yes, 3 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Resolution 22

A Resolution recognizing January 27, 2025, as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day” in Pennsylvania.

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Resolution 12

A Resolution recognizing the month of February 2025 as “Black History Month” in Pennsylvania.

VOTE: 198 Yes, 4 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Bill 257

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for learners’ permits and for examination of applicant for driver’s license.

The bill would require PennDOT to include information for new driversrelating to safe driving practices in work zones along with related penalties and require PennDOT include at least one question relating to safe driving in work zones on Pennsylvania’s driver’s license examination.

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Bill 211

An Act amending the act of December 20, 1996 (P.L.1492, No.191), known as the Medical Foods Insurance Coverage Act, further providing for declaration of policy.

The bill updates terminology in the act to replace the terms “physical handicaps” and “mental retardation” with “physical disability” and “intellectual disability.”

VOTE: 202 Yes, 0 No
YES: Barton, Leadbeter, Heffley, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Bill 27

An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for surgical smoke evacuation systems.

The bill would ensure that operating rooms utilize surgical smoke evacuation systems to combat the adverse health effects of surgical smoke, according to the sponsorship memo. The memo adds that a study determined one day’s exposure to surgical smoke was the equivalent of inhaling the smoke of 27-30 cigarettes.

VOTE: 171 Yes, 31 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Twardzik
NO: Leadbeter, Stehr, Walsh, Watro

House Resolution 16

A Resolution designating February 2, 2025, as “Rheumatoid Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania.

VOTE: 197 Yes, 5 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Leadbeter, Stehr, Twardzik, Watro
NO: Walsh

House Bill 291

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of the road in general, further providing for additional parking regulations.

The bill would authorize municipalities to create parking-protected bicycle lanes between curbs and parked vehicles, essentially providing bicyclists with a dedicated lane away from vehicular traffic.

VOTE: 183 Yes, 19 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Twardzik, Watro
NO: Leadbeter, Stehr, Walsh

House Bill 201

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in intermediate units, further providing for powers and duties of the intermediate unit board of directors and for capital subsidy.

The bill would allow intermediate units to own facilities themselves, aside from office space and warehouse facilities.

VOTE: 155 Yes, 47 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Twardzik, Watro
NO: Leadbeter, Stehr, Walsh

House Bill 190

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for eating disorder awareness and education.

The bill would create an Eating Disorders Taskforce within the PA Department of Education. It would also require schools to provide parent educational information regarding eating disorders to parents/guardians of students in grades 6-12 through email, mail, or posting on their school district website. This will include a list of warning signs, risk factors, resources, and other information about eating disorders.  

VOTE: 161 Yes, 41 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Twardzik, Watro
NO: Leadbeter, Stehr, Walsh

House Bill 324

An Act amending the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1429, No.466), referred to as the Poultry Technician Licensure Law, further providing for collection of samples, for technician requirements, for licensure, for powers and duties of Secretary of Agriculture and for blood sample restrictions.

The bill updates the law to allow legal residents to be Certified Poultry Technicians. Currently, the law only allows U.S. citizens.

VOTE: 161 Yes, 41 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Watro
NO: Leadbeter, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh

House Resolution 26

A Resolution designating January 23, 2025, as “Maternal Health Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania to recognize all the women who die from complications of pregnancy or childbirth.

VOTE: 197 Yes, 5 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Leadbeter, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

House Resolution 9

A Resolution designating the month of January 2025 as “School Director Recognition Month” in Pennsylvania.

VOTE: 199 Yes, 3 No
YES: Barton, Heffley, Leadbeter, Stehr, Twardzik, Walsh, Watro

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