In the Legislature

Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry

In addition to Gov. Shapiro’s budget address, last week lawmakers in both chambers were in session and considered key legislation on energy policy, workers’ compensation, and more. Lawmakers also reacted to the governor’s proposals and began preparing for budget appropriations hearings, which begin on Feb. 18.

Here is a rundown of last week’s legislative action most relevant to employers.

SENATE

RGGI Abrogation (S.B. 186; Yaw)

The Senate passed Senate Bill 186 last Monday. The PA Chamber supported this bill, too. (CLICK HERE for their memo).

This legislation would formally withdraw Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multistate cap-and-trade program designed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

Lawmakers passed the measure in a bipartisan 31-18 vote. It now heads to the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee.

HOUSE

Increasing Worker’s Comp Costs (H.B. 183; Dawkins)

The House Labor & Industry Committee advanced House Bill 183 last Wednesday. The PA Chamber opposed this bill (CLICK HERE for their memo).

This legislation would amend a section of Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act that deals with permanent injuries or disfigurement, informally known as the “scar benefit. House Bill 183 would expand the scar benefit far beyond its original purpose, likely discourage otherwise healthy employees from returning to work, and even incentivize plaintiffs’ attorneys to push their clients to get unnecessary surgeries. This proposal would additionally lead to higher insurance and related costs for Pennsylvania businesses. (Note: Formerly introduced as H.B. 930 last session).

The committee advanced H.B. 183 in a party-line vote of 14-12. It now heads to the full House of Representatives.

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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.