2010-2011 State Budget
On Tuesday, July 6, Gov. Ed Rendell signed a $28.04 billion 2010-11 state budget. Click here to view the general fund budget spreadsheet as prepared by the Senate. Throughout the budget process, the PBA lobbied for adequate funding for the court system and civil legal services. Civil legal services received $3.039 million as part of the Department of Public Welfare’s 2010-11 budget, compared to $3.064 million in 2009-10. The courts were appropriated $276.860 million, the same amount they were appropriated in 2009-2010.

Regular Session
The House and Senate signed the state budget bill on June 30. After approving the remaining budget-related legislation, including the Fiscal Code and the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) project authorization bill, both the House and Senate recessed on July 3. The Senate plans to return to session on Monday, Sept. 20, and the House is scheduled to return on Monday, Sept. 13.

House Bill 1322, sponsored by Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny), amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) establishing periods of limitation in relation to claims of adverse possession under certain circumstances. The bill states claims of adverse possession can only be brought after 10 years. Provisions dealing with contiguous lots and quiet title are provided; the bill also provides for notice requirements. The bill, as amended on the floor, was passed by the House on July 1 by a vote of 181 to 19. It will now move to the Senate for consideration. The PBA supports this legislation.

HB 2258, sponsored by Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery), amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), further providing for disposition of dependent children. The bill provides that prior to entering any order of disposition that would remove a dependent child from his or her home, the court shall enter certain findings on the record or in the court order. HB 2258 further provides for visitation for child and sibling and for matters to be determined at permanency hearing. HB 2258 passed the House on June 7 by a vote of 189 to 0. It was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 9. It was voted favorably out of committee and given first consideration in the Senate on June 29. It is currently on the Senate calendar on second consideration. The PBA supports this legislation.

HB 2300, sponsored by Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Union), amends the Administrative Code, establishing the State Geospatial Coordinating Council. The bill provides that the council shall be an advisory board within the Governor's Office; provides powers and duties including recommending data development priorities and interoperability standards for data sharing across agencies and different units of government across Pennsylvania; establishes the Pennsylvania Mapping and Geospatial Technologies Fund; provides that the fund shall consist of public and private grants, donations, state appropriations and contributions from members of the council and from foundations and other private and governmental entities. The bill was voted favorably, as amended, from the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, given first consideration and referred to the House Rules Committee on June 30. The PBA supports this legislation.

HB 2322, sponsored by Rep. Mark Longietti (D-Mercer), is the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, which provides definitions and allows for electronic documents and signatures to pass as originals if they meet the requirements of act. Notarization is required and record retention requirements are provided for. The Electronic Recording Commission is established and its membership, powers and duties are provided for. Standards are to be formulated and the manner of formulation is given. Procedure and conflict of laws is provided for. The bill was voted favorably out of the House Rules Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee on June 28. The PBA supports this legislation.

Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), amends Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) with regard to the Uniform Trust Act, the repeal of the rule against perpetuities, the payment of the federal estate tax, the Uniform Principal and Income Act, the rules governing the death of a party during a divorce proceeding and powers of attorney. The legislation also makes technical and conforming amendments to other sections of the Probate Code and to Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations Code). The bill was removed from the table on June 29 and set on the Senate calendar on third consideration. The PBA supports this legislation.

Please note that the Legislative Boxscore is updated each night to reflect the legislative activity of bills during the previous session day. If you are tracking particular bills on which the PBA has a position, the Legislative Boxscore will provide you timely information.

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Legislature Web site at www.legis.state.pa.us

The PBA Legislative Department has made it easy for you to communicate your views on these issues to your legislators. Please visit the Legislative Action Center today to write to your state senators and representatives, and learn more about these important issues facing the legal community in Pennsylvania

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