County Commissioners Hear Key Legislative Updates from Senator Dush’s Office
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN—During their meeting Thursday morning, the Board of Commissioners heard legislative updates from Brandy Reiter, Senator Cris Dush’s outreach director. Reiter provided updates in lieu of Senator Dush regarding a handful of new Senate Bills and other matters, a few of which related to human trafficking, tax relief, and low-level military flight training in the PA Wilds.
Reiter discussed two bills related to human trafficking that Senator Dush played a key role in passing: Senate Bill 44 (SB 44) and Senate Bill 45 (SB 45).
In summary, SB 44 guarantees that children who have been trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation get full access to appropriate services. Prior to this bill being passed into law, any minor exploited through commercial sex was required to identify their trafficker to be considered a victim of human trafficking unless the perpetrator was charged as the trafficker. SB 44 removed this requirement so that minor victims can access services regardless of whether they identify their trafficker. SB 45 goes a step further by ensuring that victims of human trafficking have access to important services relating to housing and medical care as they recover from being trafficked.
When Commissioner Harding asked Reiter about the prevalence of trafficking activity in Senator Dush’s region, Reiter reported that the Carlisle and Lancaster areas are “two huge hubs in Pennsylvania.” In response, Harding emphasized the importance of being aware that rural areas are not immune to human trafficking, stating, “I think it’s important for people to realize that while those two hubs exist, those actions are happening in small communities across the state of Pennsylvania, and we’re not exempt from that.”
Reiter noted that rural communities are often affected because “no one is checking.” She shared details about a trafficking survivor who spoke at a recent conference held by Senator Dush to highlight the need for awareness and action. The survivor fell victim at the age of eight and conveyed that, in her case, she wasn’t kidnapped; the trafficking took place just three doors down from a church park where she regularly went to play. “She went home every day, and no one noticed. She said it was a matter of people not asking the right questions. People knew something was wrong and that something was off with her, but they didn’t ask the questions that would give her the courage to speak about what was happening to her,” Reiter said. “It didn’t just happen to her– it happened to many kids in her neighborhood, and unfortunately, there aren’t many of them left because they died from either cancer or suicide due to the trauma that they had been through.”
Reiter emphasized that Senator Dush is a big proponent of anti-human trafficking and that taking action to put a stop to it in Pennsylvania is one of his priorities. She invites anyone who would like more information about the issue or would like to discuss it with Senator Dush to contact his office, which is located in Bellefonte.
Senate Bill 37 prohibits using interactive mobile devices while driving a motor vehicle and requires police to collect and report certain information related to the traffic stop. Reiter noted that SB 37 passed the Senate 37-13 and is now in the House. It was amended to include an exemption for handheld radio operators with an amateur radio license from the FCC, as well as to clarify that the emergency responder exemption applies regardless of whether they are operating an official emergency vehicle or another vehicle, as long as they are engaged in performing their duties.
Reiter discussed Senate Bill 269, which reduces Pennsylvania’s personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8% and eliminates the gross receipts tax on electricity, resulting in lower electricity bills for PA residents. SB 269 passed the Senate 36-14 and is now in the House Finance Committee. Combined with the income tax reduction, SB 269 is estimated to provide $3 billion in total tax cuts.
Senate Bill 739 expands the use of telemedicine across the state and requires insurance providers to reimburse healthcare providers for medical services rendered via telemedicine. The bill also permanently establishes the telemedicine regulations that were allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. SB 739 passed the Senate 47-1 and is now in the House Health Committee.
The last update Reiter provided was about the PA Wilds Military Flyover Zone. In a notable triumph for residents of the Pennsylvania Wilds, the Air Force and National Guard Bureau have canceled plans to create a military flyover training zone in the Pennsylvania Wilds region as of May 5, 2024. The plan, which targeted Clinton County and neighboring Cameron, Potter, Tioga, Elk, and McKean counties, faced strong opposition from citizens and local leaders of the region. A key element in halting the proposal was Senator Dush’s call for Brigadier General Jori A. Robinson, the former commander of the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard, to conduct a full environmental impact study on the proposed Duke Military Operations Area.
“Although I’m first to support our military, this is a situation where I do not believe the 175th Wing had done its due diligence in looking up the regional impact of alternatives for low-level flight training. The cancellation announcement is proof positive evidence that the necessary vigilance and due diligence was done by the people,” Senator Dush said in a statement read by Reiter.
