FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2003
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Waugh Reintroduces Legislation

HARRISBURG - With the 2003-2004 legislative session underway, Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) has reintroduced three pieces of legislation from last session, that individually call for a prototypical school design clearinghouse, a streamlined eviction process, and registration of foreign vehicles.

Waugh is continuing his effort to gain support of his school design bill in order to reduce the cost of designing, planning, and constructing new school facilities by establishing a state-held portfolio of pre-approved standardized plans. 

“Everyone is aware of the need many of our schools are currently facing – the need to renovate, expand, or build new facilities.  And whether the reason is an increased student population or having outdated facilities, our schools are having to spend a great deal of money on these projects, and the steps to produce a newer, larger building only result in a high price tag,” said Waugh.

Late in the 2001-2002 session, the Senator revised his original school design bill, Senate Bill 447, and reintroduced it as SB 1351, which allowed for a designer’s ownership, as well as a review/rating system of all plans submitted.  The newest version of the bill, SB 258, also calls for a formalized review process by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee; after 5 years of operation the Committee would review the program to determine the level of cost savings to school districts that utilize it.

Another piece of legislation that gained some attention towards the end of last year is Waugh’s SB 451, which called for an accelerated evictions process. Now SB 257, Waugh has introduced a new version, which would not change the substance of the law relating to evictions but rather streamline the time requirements by shortening the period between the judgment for eviction and issuing a writ of possession. Also, the appeal timeframe and the waiting period between issuing and executing the writ would run concurrently, rather than consecutively, as is currently the process. 

And finally, Waugh is reintroducing another bill, now SB 256, which would close a loophole in Pennsylvania law that allows vehicles to be operated in the state by residents without obtaining a Pennsylvania registration.

“Many days throughout the year my office receives calls from constituents regarding neighbors who have lived in Pennsylvania for a number of years but still have out-of-state tags on their cars. This bill aims to alleviate that issue, as well as to ensure that PA residents’ cars are meeting state inspection requirements,” Waugh said.

 All three bills are waiting to be assigned to appropriate Senate committees in the coming days.