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In this Update:
Regan Ready-to-Drink Cocktails Bill Signed into Law
Last week a bill that I have been working on for several years, Senate Bill 688, was passed by both the Senate and the House, and this week, Governor Shapiro signed it into law as Act 86 of 2024, marking a major shift in Pennsylvania’s liquor sales landscape. For the first time since the end of Prohibition in 1933, consumers will have the option to purchase liquor-based alcohol for off-premises consumption outside of the state-run stores. With my legislation, spirits-based ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) can now be sold to-go at licensed retailers – grocery and convenience stores, as well as restaurants and beer distributors. These products are very similar to the malt-based canned cocktails already available at those retailers – in both looks and alcohol by volume (ABV), with a max ABV of 12.5% for liquor-based RTDs sold outside of the state store system. This is a monumental step for Pennsylvania that expands product choice and gives consumers a more convenient way of purchasing these products. I am grateful to my colleagues for their support and to Governor Shapiro for his signing the bill into law. To read more, click here to read my press release regarding the bill. FOP Honors Regan for Years of Support in the Legislature
On Tuesday, I attended the PA Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Biennial Conference in Bethlehem and was honored to be presented a Service Award recognizing my work for Pennsylvania’s law enforcement community. During my four years in the House of Representatives and eight years in the State Senate, one of my top priorities has been to aid the brave men and women who protect and serve our communities. From my 23-year career in the U.S. Marshal Service, I have a unique understanding of the difficulties that can come with the job. As I have shared in recent e-news updates, my Municipal Police Pension Buyback legislation, Senate Bill 464, garnered final passage and was signed into law by the Governor, who was part of Tuesday’s award ceremony. I appreciated his recognition of this important piece of legislation in his remarks. SB 464 is just one of many police-related initiatives I have had the honor of championing during my time in the legislature. I am humbled by the FOP Service Award, and I certainly hope upon my retirement from the Senate at the end of the year, our good men and women in law enforcement will have a new proponent for the issues that are important to them and the job they do for all of us and the communities they serve. Temporary Closure Begins Monday for Exit 39A Ramp from NB I-83 to Route 114
PennDOT announced that the ramp from northbound I-83 to Route 114 (Lewisberry Road) at Exit 39A in Fairview Township, York County, is scheduled to be closed for a ramp stabilization project beginning at midnight on Monday, July 22. A 30-day detour will be in place. If you need to access Route 114/Lewisberry Road from northbound I-83 you should use Exit 40A (Limekiln Road) and then return south on I-83 to Exit 39A. The ramp closure is part of a project that is expected to be completed by October 1, 2024. Work will be performed at night and involve short-term lane restrictions. As always with roadwork, please use caution and respect the crews and the job they are doing. And be sure to check traffic conditions at www.511PA.com or the 511PA app. New Law Aims to Limit Student Smartphone Use in Schools
Legislation to improve student mental health, academic performance and social skills by limiting student smartphone use in schools has been signed into law. The measure allows schools the option of using dedicated school safety funding for secure, lockable smartphone bags in which students deposit their mobile devices until the end of the school day. Senate Bill 700, now Act 55 of 2024, amended the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to allow for the purchase of these smartphone bags as an eligible use of funding. As part of the grant program, school districts receive an automatic base grant of $100,000 and each intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school is provided an automatic base grant of $70,000. Senate Approves Bill Providing Support to Military Community
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families by creating and operating the Service Member Veterans and Their Families Fund (SMVF Fund). Senate Bill 1192 would allow the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to lease real estate at Fort Indiantown Gap and use the proceeds to support the SMVF Fund. To ensure transparency and accountability in the fund’s operations, the bill also includes provisions for annual reporting on the revenues, expenditures and activities financed by the SMVF Fund. The fund would be dedicated to paying for quality-of-life programs – including physical fitness, personal growth, social interaction and recreational activities – for the military community. The programs would be designed to support the readiness and well-being of the service members, veterans and their families. Bill Increasing Access to Qualified Barber Teachers Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to address the scarcity of qualified barber-teacher, and the governor signed the bill into law on Wednesday. House Bill 327 also reduces age and training requirements for a barber-teacher applicant from 23 to 18 years of age and 1,250 to 500 hours of supervised training. It would only apply to people who pay the associated fee and have no record of disciplinary action. The legislation would also allow barber-teachers licensed in other states to obtain a Pennsylvania barber-teacher license. Easy Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs
Rising energy costs are compounded by the hot temperatures we have been experiencing. If you’ve been shocked by your energy bill and are looking for ways to lower costs, here are some helpful tips from the Public Utility Commission:
Learn more about how to stay cool while keeping your summer power bills manageable. New PA License Plate Coming in 2025
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has unveiled a new standard license plate for vehicles. The new plate, showcasing Pennsylvania as the birthplace of America, will be available in 2025. It features the Liberty Bell and the text, “Let Freedom Ring.” Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design. If you would like to be one of the first to get the new license plate, sign up for updates. You will be notified when the license plate is ready to order. When the plates become available, fee information will be included with replacement instructions on PennDOT’s website and will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization. The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design. Recognizing National Hire a Veteran Day
Thursday, July 25, marks National Hire a Veteran Day. The men and women who served our country have many skillsets and experiences – in addition to a high level of dedication – that can benefit employers. Employers who would like to hire veterans and guard members can list their job opening for free on the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations’ Job Board. Veterans can search the board here. National Hire a Veteran Day also serves as a reminder for employers that it’s important to support veterans by providing resources to them as they transition from military life to the civilian workforce.
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