Support Our Soldiers Legislative Initiatives

 Legislative Update. December 2006).   Governor Ed Rendell has signed SB 1139 into law as Act 182 of 2006.  This bill, which takes effect for the 2007 tax year, exempts pay of soldiers and airmen for state active duty for emergencies from state income tax.  This was one of the Support our Soldiers initiatives supported by PNGAS.

The Governor has also signed House Bill 2296 into law as Act 161 of 2006.  This law adjusts continuing education and license certification requirements for soldiers ordered to active duty and provides for changes to the real property tax exemption program for certain disabled veterans.

Governor Ed Rendell has signed Senate Bill 1266 into law as Act 150 of 2006.  This legislation clarifies Act 62 of 2005 with regard to paid military leave for certain Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employees. It takes effect in January 2007.

The 2005-06 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has enacted many new bills of importance to the Guard, Reserves and Veterans as a result of the Governor's Support our Soldiers initiatives. PNGAS members are asked to thank their state representatives and state senators for their outstanding support of the Guard and veterans during the 2005-06 session.
 

Summer 2006

In the final days before the summer recess, the Pennsylvania General Assembly took action on three bills of importance to the Pennsylvania National Guard and PNGAS. On 30 June, the State Senate took final legislative action on Senate Bill 1043 and House Bill 2437.

Senate Bill 1043 includes two of Governor Rendell's "Support our Soldiers" initiatives.  This bill establishes the program whereby the Commonwealth will pay for the difference in SGLI premiums for Guard soldiers deployed to combat zones between what the federal government pays and the maximum coverage. It also provides the flexibility for us to purchase this coverage under existing state-sponsored life insurance programs rather than reimbursing the soldiers after the fact, as other states have had to do.  SB 1043 also provides a tuition waiver at state-related and state-owned schools, as well as community colleges, for unmarried surviving spouses of Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers killed in line of duty.  Senator Don White was the prime sponsor of SB 1043, and the SGLI amendment was offered by Representative Tom Tangretti.
 
House Bill 2437, which passed the Senate without amendment, increases the maximum EAP grants for part-time students who don't have bachelor's degrees.  It basically doubles these grants.  Although part-time students make up a relatively small proportion of those in the EAP program (fewer than 400 of whom we estimate about 270 don't have bachelors degrees), this will be a big help to these soldiers, particularly those enrolled in community colleges.  Representative Pete Zug was the prime sponsor of this legislation, and he worked tirelessly to help gain its approval.
 
Coupled with the legislative approval of the capital budget (House Bill 2317), which includes specific authority for our armory and readiness center projects, it looks like the last weeks before the summer recess have been positive for the Pennsylvania National Guard.  PNGAS members should express their thanks to Governor Rendell and key legislators for the strong bi-partisan effort that led to enactment of these bills.

On 12 April 2006, Governor Ed Rendell signed into law House Bill 2157 as Act 24 of 2006.  This law clarifies the state active duty status for National Guard personnel performing duties under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Governor Rendell also signed into law two bills affecting veterans, the Persian Gulf Veterans Compensation Act (Act 29 of 2006; HB 1820) and the Merchant Marine WWII Veterans Compensation Act (Act 22 of 2006; HB 58).

On 21 February 06, two new laws took effect.  Both were signed on 22 Dec 05, when Governor Ed Rendell came to Fort Indiantown Gap to sign to bills into law during a Video Teleconference (VTC) with the 2nd Brigade in Iraq.  Act 82 provides an extension of time for deployed soldiers to use education assistance benefits.  Act 83 provides for extended deadlines for health insurance when soldiers who are full-time students return from deployment. In addition, the new Military Family Relief Assistance Program, authorized by Act 65 of 2005 continues to accept donations from income tax checkoffs and direct donations.
 Governor Ed Rendell visited Fort Indiantown Gap on 22 December 05 and signed two bills of importance to the Pennsylvania National Guard into law. Click here for the DMVA news release on this event.

Senate Bill 358 (Act 82 of 2005) extends the time for deployed soldiers to use Education Assistance Program.  It extends two deadlines in the EAP program.  For soldiers deployed to combat zones, it gives a minimum of one year additional eligibility for EAP grants.  For soldiers serving on active federal service or state active duty since September 11, 2001, it allows for use of EAP benefits after discharge from the Guard, extending eligibility one month for each month of such service.  This bill was a legislative priority for PNGAS. 

Senate Bill 869, sponsored by Senator Don White, provides for health insurance coverage for soldiers who are full-time students and return from deployment. It was signed into law as Act 83 of 2005.

The State House also approved other legislation of importance to PNGAS on 12,13  and 14 December.   Legislation to exempt state active duty pay from state income tax (HB 2282), to increase the minimum pay for state active duty (HB 2145), to clarify duty status for EMAC deployments (HB 2157) and to provide for reduced price vehicle registrations (HB 2139) also passed the House.  PNGAS is grateful to Governor Rendell and his staff and the legislative leaders of both parties who approached the "Support our Soldiers" initiatives in a bi-partisan cooperative manner.