PA House Action beginning June 2

Budget Season Begins; Issues of Importance on House Schedule

The House returns to session on Monday, June 2. Live web streams of House session and the majority of committee meetings are available at PAHouseGOP.com.  Important information and events may also be viewed by visiting Facebook.com/PAHouseGOP. 

Budget: Setting Priorities, Spending with Sustainable Revenues

June is budget season in the State Capitol.

State revenue collections have been less than anticipated this year. Knowing we have to govern responsibly, House and Senate leaders have been meeting with the administration to work on the 2014-2015 state budget.

Reviewing each line in the budget, House budgeteers are looking at expenditures which can be reduced and changes to tax credits which may no longer be affordable, as well as considering responsible revenue sources, such as fully privatizing the adult beverage industry.

House Bill 790 (Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County), which passed the House on March 21, 2013, and is awaiting Senate action, could, as passed in the House, bring in to state coffers approximately $1 billion through wholesale and retail licensing, and curbing border bleed. Through additional license fees and renewals, the legislation would ensure hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the General Fund while strengthening the regulatory and law enforcement components of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

For the latest budget updates, visit PAHouseGOP.com.

The Weekly Schedule

Identified by bill number, the sponsors and summaries for bills scheduled to be considered in committee or on the House floor are posted below.  More information regarding these bills can be found at PAHouseGOP.com by clicking on the “Research Bills” tab.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Committee Meetings/Hearings

HEALTH, 11 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• HB 907 (Rep. Mike Reese, R-Fayette/Westmoreland): Prohibits the use of EBT and EPPI cards to purchase tobacco products.

• HB 2242 (Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne): Removes licensure requirements from pharmacies and durable medical equipment providers that dispense diabetic shoes and inserts.

Session

On Monday, the House will convene at 1 p.m. for legislative business. The members will vote the uncontested calendar and Rule 35 resolutions.

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 1159 (Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie): Allows a third party to administer the road test portion of driver’s license examinations.
• HB 1989 (Rep. Michael Hanna, D-Centre/Clinton): Designates the Piper J-3 Cub as the official state aircraft.
• HB 2007 (Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie): Amends the Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries Code to add criminal liability language to the acknowledgement which an agent must sign in order for a power of attorney to be valid and adds an additional condition under which an Area Agency on Aging may seek release of documents through court order.
• HB 2128 (Rep. Sue Helm, R-Dauphin): Establishes “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” as an annual designation and holiday observance.
• HB 2204 (Rep. Justin Simmons, R-Lehigh/Northampton): Adds homeless infants and toddlers to the list of at-risk children to be automatically tracked by early intervention services.
• SB 601 (Sen. Joseph Scarnati, R-Cameron/Clearfield/Clinton/Elk/Jefferson/McKean): Establishes the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 1728 (Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny/Washington): Allows school entities to display the national motto “In God We Trust” and the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution in each school building.
• HB 2049 (Rep. Justin Simmons, R-Lehigh/Northampton): Allows trained school bus drivers, in compliance with employer and school district policy, to administer epinephrine auto-injectors to students.
• HB 2202 (Rep. Keith Greiner, R-Lancaster): Amends the Tuition Account Programs and Savings Bond Act by prohibiting all college savings plans from being used as security for a loan and from being subject to attachment, levy or execution by any creditor of any account owner or beneficiary.
• SB 1045 (Sen. Donald White, R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana/Westmoreland): Amends the Pennsylvania Securities Act to reflect changes necessitated by the merger of the Pennsylvania Securities Commission into the Department of Banking and to be more consistent with appropriate sections of the Uniform Securities Act, federal securities law and existing state regulations.
• SB 1077 (Sen. David Argall, R-Berks/Carbon/Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton/Schuylkill): Adds railroad materials to the list of items that may only be purchased from a commercial enterprise by a scrap processor or recycling facility.
• SB 1254 (Sen. John Yudichak, D-Carbon/Luzerne): Updates the definition of “lead free” in the Plumbing System Lead Ban and Notification Act.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Committee Meetings/Hearings

LIQUOR CONTROL, 9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 1521 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Allows the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement to do compliance checks in state stores.
• HB 2069 (Rep. Kurt Masser, R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland): Allows liquor licensees to offer discounts on food and malt or brewed beverages to patrons who are part of a bona fide club or group program that the licensee offers.

FINANCE, 9:45 a.m., Room 60 East Wing

• HB 314 (Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams/Franklin): Expands the registration exemption for volunteer charitable organizations provided the organization’s volunteers, members or auxiliary or affiliate receive no direct or indirect compensation for solicitation of funds or that no fundraising activities be carried on by a professional solicitor.
• HB 1421 (Rep. Fred Keller, R-Snyder/Union): Excludes the purchases of gun safes and gun locks from the Sales and Use Tax.
• HB 2188 (Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster): Clarifies accessibility to the Community Based Services Tax Credit by mental health care and intellectual disability services providers.

JUDICIARY, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 908 (Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia): Allows for the expungement of certain criminal record information.
• HB 2102 (Rep. Mike Tobash, R-Berks/Schuylkill): Provides an individual over age 75 the option of being excused from jury duty.
• HB 2167 (Rep. RoseMarie Swanger, R-Lebanon): Establishes specific time frames for state agencies and municipalities to provide notice of data breaches involving personal information.
• HB 2253 (Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks): Restricts the circumstances under which a prospective employer may use questions about prior arrests, convictions or adjudications on employment application forms.

TRANSPORTATION, Call of Chair, Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 241 (Rep. Scott Petri, R-Bucks): Expands the definition of “fire department vehicle” to include a vehicle owned or leased by a fire relief association.
• HB 1340 (Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Bedford/Somerset): Bridge designation: Private John W. Mostoller Bridge.
• HB 2171 (Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon): Bridge designation: Sgt. Andrew J. Baddick Memorial Bridge.
• SB 1225 (Sen. James Brewster, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland): Ramp designation: Officer Frank Miller Jr. Memorial Ramp.
• SB 1312 (Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence): Extends the permissible length of school buses to 45 feet.

Session

On Tuesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 945 (Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Philadelphia): Ensures that the parent of a child conceived as a result of a sexual offense for which that parent was convicted is not entitled to custody, partial custody or supervised physical custody unless the child is of suitable age and consents to the order.
• HB 1590 (Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe): Requires a criminal history check for anyone running for the office of tax collector and expands the current tax collector education program by making it mandatory to become certified by the Department of Community and Economic Development before taking the oath of office.
• HB 2133 (Rep. Mauree Gingrich, R-Lebanon): Requires that a property disclosure statement to a residential real estate purchaser include notification of any sinkholes, the location and condition of defined storm water facilities, and whether the purchaser is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the storm water facilities.
• HB 2166 (Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny/Washington): Requires a 30-day time limit for outgoing tax collectors to turn over their records to the newly elected or appointed tax collector or taxing district.
• HB 2199 (Rep. Mark Keller, R-Franklin/Perry): Amends the Game and Wildlife Code as it relates to an individual’s right to remain silent during questioning in the investigation of a potential violation of the Game Code.
• SB 193 (Sen. Patricia Vance, R-Cumberland/York): Requires all school nurses to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• SB 1205 (Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Dauphin/Lebanon/York): Simplifies the process that a college must follow in order to become a university.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 1159 (Bizzarro)
• HB 1989 (Hanna)
• HB 2007 (Bizzarro)
• HB 2128 (Helm)
• HB 2204 (Simmons)
• SB 601 (Scarnati)

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Committee Meetings/Hearings

COMMERCE, 9 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

• HB 1550 (Rep. Duane Milne, R-Chester): Consolidates several of the Commonwealth’s business loan programs into the newly created Pennsylvania Business Development Authority.

VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, 9 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• HB 2275 (Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-Chester/Delaware): Extends the $1 wireless 911 surcharge from June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
• SB 771 (Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder): Establishes the State Geospatial Coordinating Council.

GAME AND FISHERIES, 9:15 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

• Informational meeting for presentation and discussion about the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee’s study of the feasibility of merging the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

EDUCATION, 9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 1013 (Rep. Mark Gillen, R-Berks): Amends the Public School Code regarding diplomas awarded by home education supervisors, home education supervisor responsibilities, superintendent oversight of home education programs and hearing proceedings.
• HB 1722 (Rep. Timothy Krieger, R-Westmoreland): Amends the Public School Code regarding teacher tenure and furlough decisions.
• HB 2037 (Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams/Franklin): Increases the compulsory school age range to include 18-year-old students and requires students that withdraw from school to actively pursue a Commonwealth secondary school diploma.
• HB 2082 (Rep. James Clay, D-Philadelphia): Requires public school students to receive mandatory instruction in compulsive and problem gambling awareness.
• HB 2221 (Rep. Matt Baker, R-Bradford/Tioga): Allows students who are capable of self-managing their diabetes to be permitted to do so and allows for trained staff, in addition to a school nurse, to assist with diabetes management.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, 10 a.m., Room 39, East Wing

• HB 1822 (Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Cumberland/Franklin): Requires pharmacies located outside of Pennsylvania to register with the State Board of Pharmacy if they fill prescription orders for residents of the Commonwealth.

• SB 807 (Sen. Charles McIlhinney, R-Bucks): Creates an optional license for individuals who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• SB 814 (Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder): Defines out-of-state recreational vehicle dealers and clarifies requirements for such an entity to exhibit in the Commonwealth.

HUMAN SERVICES, Call of Chair, Room 60, East Wing

• HB 1492 (Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks): Allows Pennsylvania to participate in the Federal Medicaid Expansion program, expanding medical assistance for people whose incomes are below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.
• SB 177 (Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Bucks/Montgomery): Directs the Department of Health to establish a task force that will investigate and make recommendations to the department regarding the education, prevention and treatment of Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases.

Session

On Wednesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 945 (Cruz)
• HB1590 (Scavello)
• HB 2133 (Gingrich)
• HB 2166 (Saccone)
• HB 2199 (Keller)
• SB 193 (Vance)
• SB1205 (Folmer)

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Committee Meetings/Hearings

STATE GOVERNMENT, 9 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• Public hearing on HB 1507 (Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster): Eliminates the ability of unions to negotiate provisions in collective bargaining agreements that require Commonwealth or municipalities to collect any form of union dues for representative unions.

LABOR AND INDUSTRY, 9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

• Public hearing on HB 2271 (Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Fayette/Green/Washington): Prohibits employers, employment agencies and labor organizations from discriminating against workers based on marital or familial status.

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Township Spring Clean-up Today

Liberty Township will hold their annual spring clean-up Today from 8:00am - 4:00pm.

Cost is $25.00 per load, which includes car batteries and some electronics.

Items NOT accepted include: roofing materials, propane cylinders or full paint cans

Car/light truck tires will be $5 per tire

**Absolutely NO household garbage will be accepted**

PAHS students attend commissioners meeting

 

Three Port Allegany High School students attended the McKean County Commissioners' meeting Tuesday morning in connection with their American Government class, taught by Aaron Clark. They are, from left, 12th grader Cory Burr, Hannah Ernst (grade 11) and Zoe Danton-Kinney (grade 11). They took notes, then asked questions during the general public comments period.  Martha Knight Photo

McKean accepts award on behalf of Watershed Improvement Needs Coalition

Heather McKean displays the prestigious award she recently journeyed to Washington, D.C. to receive on behalf of the Watershed Improvement Needs (WINs) Coalition. It was one of a handful of top Aquatic Stewardship awards in the nation, presented by the U.S. Forest Service. McKean said, "It is nice to know our work is being recognized." She is the Watershed Conservationist for the Conservation District.  Martha Knight Photo

Tronetti hired by county

McKean County's new maintenance director, Ed Tronetti of Smethport, poses with McKean County Commissioners after his appointment was announced Tuesday morning. Shown from left in commissioner chairman Joe DeMott's office are commissioners Cliff Lane and Al Pingie, Tronetti and DeMott. Tronetti started his duties May 15. The former general contractor and supervisor and project manager for an HVAC company,  Tronetti was described by DeMott as a "take charge kind of person."  Martha Knight Photo

Police Report 5/19 - 5/25

A woman wanted her boyfriend pinched for pinching her, but apparently her ire faded with her bruises. There was only one reported flare-up of the Railroad Avenue property line feud. Old charges from Cattaraugus County, N.Y. and here got the accused person arrested here. A threatened alley fight behind Shooters was averted. A dog bit a child, a dog bit a dog, and two dogs were left in vehicles.

Such matters, and others, kept Port Allegany Police busy in the week that began Monday, May 19.

Last Monday at 11 a.m. Chief Dave Distrola unlocked a motor vehicle for a driver.

At 2:30 p.m. Distrola “discovered a bench warrant for Tara Donnelly out of Olean, N.Y.”

At 11:30 p.m. Officer Kyle Day assisted Pennsylvania State Police in response to a request to dispatch a deer that had been struck by a motor vehicle. The driver was unhurt, but was distressed about hitting a deer with her brand new car, purchased just hours earlier.

Day was asked to go to the back of Shooter’s Bar to avert a threatened fight. A patron had called from the bar saying several people were waiting for him to come out of the bar so they could beat him up. Day stood by until the complainant had left. No fight occurred.

Last Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Distrola received a complaint concerning barking dogs at 86 Church Street. It appeared that no one was home, so he left a copy of the borough ordinance dealing with such matters.

At 11:45 a.m. Distrola assisted a motorist with a vehicle lock-out problem on Barrett Avenue.

At 1:10 p.m. someone turned in a set of keys with a Harley chain, found near China Light.

At 3:25 p.m. Distrola was told that someone was driving erratically toward the borough from Roulette. The complainant said the driver had passed in a passing zone but did not clear the zone before an oncoming vehicle appeared. The vehicle described was stopped. The driver appeared normal. Information was obtained and the driver was released.

At 8:15 p.m. Officer Day executed an arrest warrant out of Olean, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. on Tara Donnelly. The warrant was for violating bail conditions on a petty larceny charge. Donnelly also was fingerprinted in connection with a charge concerning drugs/drug paraphernalia, filed by the Port Allegany Police Department in 2012. Donnelly had failed to comply with a court order in that matter.

Wednesday at 12:10 a.m. Officer Day observed an apparent electrical malfunction on a pole at Pine Street at Harrison Street. He noticed that sparks were visible when the wire was struck by rain. The electric company was notified.

At 12:30 a.m. Day was called to apartment A2, Penny Lane where a male wanted to retrieve a game system from a storage shed but had lost the keys to the shed. Day explained that the police department does not have a magic key to open locks in general, and the person would have to retrieve his property the next day by his own means.

At 12:30 p.m. Chief Distrola received a harassment complaint from a Penny Lane resident who said her boyfriend had pinched her the previous day and left bruises. She wanted assault charges filed, and her boyfriend removed from the apartment; also, she wanted a Protection From Abuse order. Distrola told her that pinching does not rise to the level of simple assault. The complainant was given contact information for domestic violence matters.

At 1:11 p.m. the same complainant called Distrola to Penny Lane again because she wanted to obtain clothing and other items from the apartment she had been sharing with her boyfriend. Distrola spoke with the boyfriend through the door and he let her in. Later the two reconciled. No charges will be filed.

At 11:46 p.m. Officer Tony Tanner arrested Brandon Wingfield of Virginia for DUI. The subject was stopped on Route 155 South for cutting through the former Sheetz parking lot and failing to use a turn signal. Charges are pending receipt of the lab results showing blood alcohol content.

Thursday At 10:30 a.m. Distrola received a complaint of a theft from a motor vehicle on Katherine Street that had occurred between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Someone had made off with tools, binoculars and other items of value. The vehicle owner was not sure whether the vehicle had been locked; there were no signs of forced entry.

At 9:50 p.m. Officer Tanner received a parking complaint from an East Mill Street resident who said a neighbor repeatedly parks in a way that blocks the complainant’s driveway. Tanner made contact and learned that “they only stopped to visit with” the alleged violator. Tanner advised the parties not to park in front of the driveway.

Friday at 5:40 p.m. Tanner received a walk-in complaint of harassment concerning an incident that had occurred on Brooklynside. Tanner advised the complainant to wait outside for PSP to respond.

At 5:50 p.m. Tanner responded to a one-vehicle roll-over crash on Skinner Creek. He stood by until PSP arrived.

At 6:56 p.m. Tanner received a complaint of a dog bite at 71 South Main Street. The caller said her mother’s dog had bitten caller’s son in the nose. The child was transported to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Saturday at 2:33 a.m. Tanner responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 6 East. He secured the scene until PSP and EMS personnel arrived.

At 10:30 a.m. Officer Day received a complaint that a dog had attacked another dog at the Power Sport Shop on North Main Street. Bill Owens of Chestnut Street had been walking his dog when a dog owned by Jacob Turner bolted from the store and bit Owens’ dog. Turner had current papers for the dog and was cited for leash law violation.

At 5:07 p.m. Tanner was called to the parking lot of Moe’s Bar and Grill for a report of a dog left in a vehicle. Tanner found the dog’s owner in the bar and told that person to take the dog home. The dog was unharmed.

At 5:14 p.m. Tanner was called to the Dollar General parking lot where a dog had been left in a vehicle. The dog’s owner arrived at the vehicle a short time later and was advised against leaving the dog in the car while shopping, and told to leave the dog at home. The dog was unharmed.

At 8:05 p.m. Tanner was called to Sheetz for a reported fight. When he arrived he found people arguing in the parking lot. Apparently the argument stemmed from a vehicular matter that had occurred outside the borough. PSP responded and arrested one driver for DUI. Tanner cited Adam McLeod, 20, for underage consumption and harassment and pushing Garret Smith, 29. Smith was cited for harassment for punching McLeod.

At 10:29 p.m. Tanner went to a Katherine Street residence for a report of a disturbance. The complainant said someone had been pounding on her door, and had knocked out a screen and rung the doorbell. Tanner searched the area but did not find the disturber.

At 11:32 p.m. Tanner discovered three male juveniles behind the beer distributorship with two dirt bikes. The juveniles took off, but returned as Tanner was seizing the dirt bikes. The subjects were identified and their parents were notified.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Officer William Wenzel released the dirt bikes to a parent of the juveniles involved in the incident of the previous night.

At 6:05 p.m. Officer Jason Crants went to 14 West Ransome Street for a noise complaint. The complainant indicated that neighbors had been revving motors on an ATV and a truck. Crants spoke with the neighbors; no further complaints were received.

At 7:50 p.m. Crants received a complaint of harassment from Daniel DeHaven, who said he was being harassed by Sam Carr. There may be charges, pending further investigation.

At 10:01 p.m. Crants received a report of a theft of a Private Driveway sign from a Railroad Avenue resident. This was the latest incident in an ongoing dispute over property rights.

Commissioners OK $$ for airport multi-tenant, Knox Kane Corridor / By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—In a busy semimonthly session Tuesday morning, the McKean County Commissioners handled a number of decisions and heard from visitors.

In one agenda item commissioners Joe DeMott, Al Pingie and Cliff Lane agreed to “provide the necessary guarantee of $300,000 to finance the construction of the multi-tenant center north 2 project,” at the Bradford Regional Airport(BRA).

The estimated cost of the project was stated as $1,900,000. Of that amount, PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation has committed $950,000 and applicant equity of $100,000 has been committed. An Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) contribution of $200,000 is pending, as is a USDA contribution of $50,000.

The enabling resolution adopted by the commissioners states that a $300,000 loan is required by the ARC. Whether some or all of the county’s contribution will be repaid from other funding sources will depend on further financial developments, DeMott said. He chairs both the McKean County Commissioners and the airport commission.

The commissioners also agreed to commit $15,000 “to support the initial cost of an appraisal for the Knox Kane Corridor to begin negotiations with the owner and to meet funding requirements that have been submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, McCune Foundation.”

The topic of lengthy studies, development of the corridor for recreational use has been backed by McKean, Elk, Forest and Clarion counties and various groups. A multi-use trail is planned between Kinzua Bridge and Clarion Junction, a distance of about 74 miles, with the pilot project being the stretch between Kinzua Bridge and Lantz Corners.

The Kovalchick Corporation still owns the abandoned railroad bed. The Knox-Kane Rail Trail Committee plans to negotiate with the owner for purchase or an easement covering the area needed to develop the trail. Also, the funding approved at the meeting is needed to meet requirements of the application to DCNR.

Jim Herzog presented a review of nine points presented previously to the commissioners in support of lower Clean and Green(C&G)  use values for forest reserve land enrolled in the program by 100 owners. He also added an additional (tenth) argument.

Asserting again that C&G use values must, by law, be preferential, Herzog stated that the use values set by the county cannot exceed fair market value.

Herzog maintains that the correct use value for the forest reserve category is $94 per acre. He presented calculations showing that the county’s current use value for forest reserve is many times that, and many times the annualized value of any timber harvest performed on an 80-year cycle.

The new argument presented to the commissioners by Herzog is based on statements made by the county’s counsel in C&G litigation, in particular one at a hearing in January: “The use value is a special preference you get by agreeing to a covenant…You get the preferential use value which is less than your assessed value.”

Herzog noted that the county’s tax attorney had explained the roll-back penalty applied to C&G owners when they violated the C&G agreement or harvested timber, “confirming that it is impossible to have a use value more than fair market value.”

Asked for a response, the commissioners demurred, with DeMott stating that it would be improper to comment on a matter under litigation.

A change in C&G policy would be appropriate at this point, Herzog said, inasmuch as the county is about to set use values for 2015.

Commissioners voted to provide a prepaid deposit to Link Computer Corporation, in the amount of $5,000, to expedite service provision when the county’s departments call on Link for software support. With the deposit in place, Link will not have to wait for purchase orders to be processed.

Also approved was a SAVIN maintenance and service agreement with the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute. PA SAVIN is the automated victim notification system whereby victims of crimes are notified when offenders are about to be released from prison, or to be transferred, or when offenders have escaped.

Commissioners approved a service agreement with Karpinski’s Office Systems, Coudersport, for a copy machine in the adult probation department, for $48 a month, covering labor, parts and consumables other than paper.

The only invoice presented for payment, that of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (ADAS) for $10,464, was approved. It covers the county’s support to ADAS for the quarter that ended March 31.

Frederic and Barbara Montuori were granted a tax refund of $791.38 on the basis of a veteran’s exemption effective July 31, 2013.

Commissioners approved 11 service provider agreements as requested by the Department of Human Services.

Commissioners also announced the appointment of Ed Tronetti as the new director of maintenance of county facilities, heard from Heather McKean about a significant national award presented to her Watershed Conservation unit’s aquatic stewardship and watershed support efforts, and hosted three American Government students from Port Allegany (see other Port Allegany Online coverage).