Lowering the corporate net income tax
Changing the sales tax bad debt refund to a credit
Fighting an increase and/or expansion to the sales tax
Credit card swipe fees
Liquor Privatization
Pharmacy Issues:
Allowing pharmacists to administer vaccinations to minors
Electronic tracking of pseudoephedrine products
Tort Reform:
Passing a venue selection bill
Adopting an innocent seller provision
Retail theft issues:
Lowering the retail theft felony threshold from $2,000 to $1,000
2013-14 Legislative Priorities
Tax Issues
Bill Number
HB 440 (Dave Reed-R)
Summary
Lowers the CNIT
Last Action
Reported as amended with the Governor's tax reform proposal on 4/22/13
Position
Support
Bill Number
HB 76 (Jim Cox-R)
Summary
Expands and increases the SUT
Last Action
House Finance hearing on 4/16/13
Position
Oppose
Bill Number
HB 750 (Adam Ravenstahl-D)
Summary
Forbids surcharges on credit card transactions
Last Action
PRA testified against the bill at the House Consumer Affairs hearing on 4/17/13
Position
Oppose
Bill Number
SB 76 (Dave Argall-R)
Summary
Expands and increases the SUT
Last Action
Referred to the Senate Finance Committee
Position
Oppose
Liquor Privatization
Bill Number
HB 790 (Mike Turzai-R)
Summary
Privatizes the wholesale and retail side of the state-run liquor control system
Last Action
Passed the House 105-90 on 3/21/13, Hearing set for Senate Law and Justice Committee on 4/30/13
Position
Support
Pharmacy Issues
Bill Number
HB 602 (Marguerite Quinn-R)
Summary
Provides for an electronic tracking of pseudoephedrine products
Last Action
Passed the House 200-0 on 3/20/13
Position
Support
Bill Number
HB 776 (Seth Grove-R)
Summary
Provides for pharmacists to administer vaccinations to minors
Last Action
Referred to House Professional Licensure
Position
Support
Retail Theft
Bill Number
HB 1000 (Todd Stephens-R)
Summary
Lowers the retail theft felony threshold from $2,000 to $1,000
Last Action
Unanimously passed the House of Representatives 195-0 on 4/22/13
Position
Support
Tort Reform
Bill Number
HB 354 (Dave Reed-R)
Summary
Protects retailers from liability when products are defective and the seller has not altered it
Last Action
Unanimously reported from House Judiciary Committee meeting on 4/9/13
Position
Support
2011-12 Legislative Wins
Preserving the sales tax vendors’ allowance
e-Fairness bulletin by the Department of Revenue
Extending the length of time for price scanning systems to be inspected from once every 12 months to once every 36 months (HB 2366)
Changing the remittance of sales tax twice a month to once a month for electronic filers (SB 907, Act 26 of 2011)
Unemployment compensation reform (SB 1030, Act 6 of 2011)
Tort reform re: joint and several liability (SB 1131, Act 17 of 2011)
Unemployment compensation bond (SB 1310, Act 60 of 2012)
PA Preferred Program (HB 1424, Act 78 of 2011)
Home improvement consumer protection act (HB 1336, Act 52 of 2011)
Licensing vendors and requirements for the sale of insurance for portable electronics (HB 2135, Act 112 of 2012)
Defeating an agricultural fair dealer bill with vague language that may have restricted the sale of agriculture and lawn care products by companies to individual consumers
Defeating property tax reform efforts at the expense of an increased and broadened sales and use tax
Defeating bills allowing counties to increase the sales tax by referendum
Defeating a bill providing for offenses for the sale and record-keeping of prepaid cell phones
Defeating a bill requiring the PA State Police to conduct all criminal background checks for employment