Following is a listing of executive and legislative action for the week beginning Dec. 31, 2018. Both houses of the General Assembly were in recess at press time. Both were scheduled to return to session Jan. 15, when Gov. Tom Wolf is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term.

Pipeline Safety

Two southeastern Pennsylvania lawmakers Jan. 2 announced a bipartisan initiative to overhaul the state's pipeline regulatory process to improve safety at schools and in neighborhoods.

State Sens. Andy Dinniman, D-Chester, and Tom Killion, R-Delaware, unveiled a suite of 12 measures aimed at increasing transparency in and scrutiny of pipeline permitting, and tightening safety measures. Two of the bills would impose fees on pipeline operators to defray costs of regulation.

Dinniman said the package was inspired by the effort to mitigate safety risks of the Mariner East pipeline, which highlighted the need for reform of the oversight process statewide.

Killion stressed the inherent pitfalls of pipelines, which transport “highly flammable and toxic materials under high pressure through densely populated areas.”

“Having new laws in place to ensure the safety of families living in pipeline communities is long overdue,” Killion said.

Senate President

Sen. Joe Scarnati was sworn in Jan. 1 to a new term as president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, the third-highest constitutional office in the state. Scarnati has served in the post since 2007.

Chief Justice Thomas Saylor administered the oath to Scarnati.

The upper house convened at noon New Year's Day for the 2019-20 to swear in re-elected and newly elected senators. The Pennsylvania Constitution mandates that the Senate convene for swearing-in on the first Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year.

Following his swearing-in, Scarnati called for civility and said budget issues would be a “tremendous focus” in the new Senate session.

“It is also crucial that we recognize decisions and policies we put forth must lead to more jobs and opportunities for Pennsylvanians,” Scarnati said in remarks printed on the state Senate GOP caucus' website. “The importance of business growth and development across our state cannot be overlooked. Providing a solid environment for family-sustaining jobs is a critical responsibility.

“It is clear that we all come from different parts of the state and have very diverse backgrounds.  This diversity has the ability to help us advance legislation that strengthens each of our communities across rural, urban and suburban regions of our state.

“While we are certainly a diverse group, it is crucial that we remember to also be a body that works together in a civil manner, despite our differences,” he said.

House Committees

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, on Jan. 2 appointed leaders of the standing committees of the state House of Representatives. Among the new leaders of key committees were the following:

• State Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, has been appointed majority chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Kauffman, who previously served as chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee, stressed the need to mitigate the opioid addiction epidemic in Pennsylvania. “Drug addiction touches every corner of the state and we need to increase our efforts to address this growing crisis,” he said in a statement. Kauffman added that he looked forward to leading the “prestigious” committee, which holds sway in criminal justice reform efforts.

• State Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming, has been appointed to serve as the majority chairman of the House State Government Committee. Everett takes over from state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, who has been a conservative lightning rod. Everett stressed the committee's role in guaranteeing accountability and transparency for government agencies. He also looked to the panel's broader responsibilities, pointing out that it is “also charged with reviewing legislation dealing with other aspects of state government, such as election code, lobbyist disclosure, legislative term limits and campaign financing.” Everett said he would aim to work with colleagues “to improve all aspects of state government to ensure it looks out for the best interests of citizens and responds efficiently to their needs.” Everett, who retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, graduated from Penn State Dickinson Law in 2000.

• State Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver, has been appointed to serve as the majority chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Marshall's district is the site of a new casino, and he said in a statement that he would “see firsthand the impacts of oversight on the industry and our communities and take that insight with me to Harrisburg.” The panel conducts oversight of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and works closely with the Office of the Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police. Marshall noted that the gaming industry supports tourism and provides revenue for several public purposes. “I view this responsibility as a chance to ensure integrity in the industry, explore how recent gaming laws and expansions are working, and make sure Pennsylvania citizens and communities are the beneficiaries of industry success,” Marshall said in a statement.

Special Elections

Turzai on Jan. 2 ordered two special elections be held March 12 to fill the vacant seats in the 114th Legislative District in Lackawanna County and the 190th Legislative District in Philadelphia.

The elections will be held to select successors to state Rep. Sid Kavulich, D-Lackawanna, who died Oct. 16; and former state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Philadelphia, who was convicted on Oct. 31 on seven charges, including six felonies, stemming from a bribery case.

Turzai filed the writs of election with the Department of State.

Four Lackawanna County Democrats have filed applications for the nomination, which will be determined by the county party committee, according to The Associated Press. Two Republicans have expressed interest in the race.

The Philadelphia political party committees have not yet announced their nomination processes.