2010-2011 State Budget

The Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee began its annual state budget hearings on Thursday, Jan. 28. Hearings will continue on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 3. The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin its budget hearings on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Gov. Edward G. Rendell will deliver his annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the chamber of the House of Representatives.

Regular Session

The House stands in recess until Monday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. or until the call of the chair.

The Senate stands in recess until Monday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m.

Senate Bill 383, sponsored by Sen. Jane Clare Orie (R-Allegheny), amends Title 42 (Judiciary & Judicial Procedure) in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, authorizing the court of common pleas of a judicial district and the Municipal Court of Philadelphia to establish one or more problem-solving courts with specialized jurisdiction, including but not limited to drug courts, mental-health courts and driving-under-the-influence courts, whereby defendants are admitted to a court-supervised individualized treatment program. The bill was voted favorably as amended from the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 25. The adopted amendment adds the language "from available funds" into the bill. SB 383 is now on the House calendar on second consideration. The PBA supports this legislation.

Spring 2010 Session Dates

Senate
January 5 (non-voting), 25, 26, 27
February 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 (budget hearings: 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, and 25)
March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 (budget hearings: 1, 2, 3, and 4)
April 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
May 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, 26
June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

House:
January 5 (non-voting), 25, 26, 27
February 8, 9, 10
March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
May 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, 26
June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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

Contribute to the PABAR-PAC!

Be a PBA Grassroots Contact!