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In this Update:

• Senate Passes Langerholc Bill Waiving Fee for Veterans License Plate Replacement
• Senate Committee Approves Bill to Keep Public Safe
• Calling on Shapiro to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border
• Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking
• Help Available for High-Priority Specialty Crop Farmers
• Recognizing Agriculture’s Impact on Our Lives

Senate Passes Langerholc Bill Waiving Fee for Veterans License Plate Replacement

Veterans who proudly display their service through military license plates would receive free replacements when the plates wear out, under my legislation that passed the Senate this week.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) waives replacement plate fees for standard and personalized vehicle plates that are no longer legible from a reasonable distance, but charges veterans to replace military registration plates.

Senate Bill 915 would require PennDOT to reissue illegible military plates at no cost to the veteran.

I’m proud to sponsor this legislation that helps our veterans albeit in a small way. They gave so much for our nation it’s time we give back to them.

The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Committee Approves Bill to Keep Public Safe

Legislation I co-prime sponsored alongside Senators Devlin Robinson and Tracy Pennycuick was approved in the Senate Committee on Judiciary this week.

Senate Bill 1120 ensures common-sense procedures are followed during the bail determination process for repeat violent offenders, drug dealers trafficking fentanyl, and those who assault law enforcement officers or evade arrest on foot. The legislation would specifically bar non-monetary forms of bail from being issued to those who pose a threat to public safety.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is one hundred times more potent than morphine, and approximately fifty times more potent than heroin. Two milligrams of fentanyl – the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil – is enough to kill an average person.

This week, we took steps to ensure violent criminals are held accountable, placed further safeguards to protect our communities, and stood with law enforcement.

The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Calling on Shapiro to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border

The Senate approved a measure calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to protect Pennsylvania communities by supporting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to respond to America’s illegal immigration crisis.

Senate Resolution 251 implores Shapiro to reverse course and deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard along Texas’s southern border with Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star. The border security initiative has led to more than 500,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions, more than 40,000 criminal arrests and the seizure of more than 468 million lethal doses of fentanyl, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A 2023 report indicates at least 251,000 illegal immigrants reside in Pennsylvania with an annual burden of more than $1.6 billion on taxpayers. That equates to a cost of approximately $318 per Pennsylvania household annually, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking

The Pennsylvania Senate approved two measures this week boosting community safety by targeting opioid overdoses and human trafficking. Both bills, which head to the House of Representatives for consideration, are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1054 strengthens the Overdose Information Network (ODIN) law, which requires all law enforcement in Pennsylvania to input reports of an overdose within 72 hours of the incident into the ODIN system. The ODIN database enables law enforcement agencies to quickly record, analyze and share information concerning fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses and naloxone administrations. The bill would ensure overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. EMS providers are responsible for handling more than 80% of overdoses annually in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1111 would ensure that individuals who are convicted of certain human trafficking offenses – as well as attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit those offenses – are subject to the same Megan’s Law reporting and evaluation requirements as other sexual offenders.

Help Available for High-Priority Specialty Crop Farmers

To stimulate market growth or boost the competitive position for high-priority crops, grants are available for projects that benefit Pennsylvania’s growers as a whole, rather than an individual grower.

Specialty crops eligible for Pennsylvania’s grant program and deemed high priority include hardwoods; honey; hemp and flax for fiber; and hops, barley, rye and wheat for brewing, distilling and malting.

Proposals must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application by Friday, April 19, at 5 p.m. Full grant guidelines are available here.

Recognizing Agriculture’s Impact on Our Lives

In Pennsylvania, we are blessed that agriculture is one of our top industries as it helps to provide us with food security without having to rely as much on other states or even other countries.

National Agriculture Week, observed March 17-24, encourages every American to understand how food products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industries.

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