WEEKLY SESSION NOTES
Senate republican policy committee – Joe conti, chairman

Monday, May 10, 2004 

Senate Bill 985 (M. White) would amend the Domestic Relations Code to invalidate any common law marriages contracted after January 1, 2005.  The change would not have any effect on common law marriages contracted on or before January 1, 2005.  Passed:  49-1. 

Senate Resolution 266 (Punt) recognizes the week of May 8 through 16, 2004 as "National Tourism Week" and May 11, 2004 as "Tourism Day" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 267 (Rafferty) recognizes the week of May 9 through 15, 2004 as "National Police Week" and May 10, 2004 as "National Police Officers' Memorial Day" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 268 (O'Pake) designates Tuesday, May 11, 2004 as "Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress Day."  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 269 (Schwartz) recognizes the week of May 10 through 16, 2004 as "Cover the Uninsured Week" in Pennsylvania and encourages Pennsylvanians to do all they can to understand the implications and ramifications of this issue.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 270 (Wenger) declares that May 9 through 15, 2004 be observed as "National Nursing Home Week" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

House Bill 1438 (J. Taylor) would amend the Occupational Therapy Practice Act to permit a licensed occupational therapist to implement occupational therapy to an individual for a specific medical condition based on a referral from a licensed optometrist.  Passed:  50-0. 

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 

Senate Resolution 271 (C. Williams) commemorates May 17, 2004 as the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 272 (Pippy) honors the members of the United States military serving overseas in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Senate Resolution 273 (D. White) recognizes the contributions of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., which was founded after World War I to unite mothers who had lost sons or daughters in that war.  The chief function of the American Gold Star Mothers is to assist veterans at veterans' homes.  Adopted by Voice Vote.

Senate Resolution 274 (Conti) recognizes the contributions of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., which is a patriotic service organization founded in 1942 to unite mothers who have sons and daughters in the United States military.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

Executive Session 

Timothy T. Chamberlain – Sheriff, Clinton County.  Confirmed:  50-0. 

The Honorable Joseph R. Gurzenda – State Tax Equalization Board.  Confirmed:  50-0. 

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 

Senate Bill 1123 (Thompson) would appropriate $23,490,000 from the State Employees' Retirement Fund to the State Employees' Retirement Board for its operational and administrative expenses for the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year.  Passed:  49-0. 

Senate Resolution 275 (C. Williams) recognizes the month of May 2004 as "Melanoma Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.  Adopted by Voice Vote. 

House Bill 2447 (Geist) would transfer 1.231 miles of road in Logan Township, Blair County to the state highway system.  The transfer is contingent upon Logan Township accepting a state road with a minimum distance of 3,000 feet with a minimum existing right-of-way width of 33 feet.  Passed:  49-0.