Pennsylvania State Capitol. Photo: Zack Frank/Shutterstock.com

The Pennsylvania Senate on May 13 approved four bills aimed at giving county governments greater control over reopening their local economies and providing waivers from executive orders closing business.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, and Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, said that the bills would require businesses to operate in a manner that protects employees and customers in order to secure waivers.

House Bill 327, which was unanimously approved by the Senate, allows county governments to make plans for reopening shuttered businesses in compliance with safety guidelines promulgated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.

Scarnati said the bill deemphasizes a "top-down" approach to reopening, and looks to enlist the expertise of local officials who best know their communities.

"We are by no means completely abandoning the mitigation steps that are in place," Scarnati said. "This outbreak is not over. However, we need to look to the future and establish a clear recovery process."

Scarnati said the measure makes sure local government "should play a major role in the recovery process."

The bill would also permit the sale of prepared beverages and mixed drinks for off-premise consumption during the COVID-19 disaster emergency by those possessing a valid restaurant or hotel liquor license.

HB 327, which was sponsored by state Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, goes to Wolf's desk for enactment into law.

House Bill 2412, which would require the state Department of Community and Economic Development to issue waivers to allow the opening of real estate sales activities and legal services, passed on a 33-15 vote in the Senate.

State Rep. Todd Polinchock, R-Bucks, said in a memo to colleagues HB 2412 recognizes that real estate transactions deal with shelter, which he said was essential, and can be conducted safely with minimal health risk.

House Bill 2388, which would require DCED to issue waivers to allow the opening of vehicle dealers, lawn and garden centers, cosmetology salons, barber shops, messenger and agent services, animal grooming services and manufacturing operations, was approved on a 31-17 vote in the Senate.

Sponsored by state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Washington, HB 2388 was first proposed as a measure to open up car dealerships, according to a memo she circulated to colleagues.

"These bills allow for the reopening of certain businesses and services with the key caveat that they must follow state and federal guidelines to protect their workers and their customers," Corman said.

Taking a swipe at the executive orders, Corman said the "waiver process was an unmitigated disaster: no clarity, no consistency, no transparency and no accountability."

Senate Bill 327, which would create a COVID-19 cost and recovery task force and also impose a tolling period on new regulations while the state is under emergency declarations related to the disease, passed on a 28-20 vote in the Senate.

Sponsored by Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, SB 327 would require any regulation not finally approved or disapproved to be suspended in place until 90 days after the emergency order is lifted.

HB 2412, HB 2388 and SB 327 are set to return to the state House of Representatives for consideration.