Here are several bills of interest to NFIB members that have already started working through the legislative process in Harrisburg.
SB 128 – Local Paid Leave Preemption (Sen. Eichelberger)
This legislation would prohibit local municipalities from enacting their own paid leave mandates on businesses. One size fits all leave mandates increase costs, make it more difficult to hire new workers, and remove flexibility in establishing employee benefits that fit the needs of their employees. At least 24 other states have already enacted similar legislation. NFIB supports this legislation.
Status: Reported from the Senate Local Government Committee, on the Senate Calendar.
SB 166 (Sen Eichelberger) / SB 167 – Paycheck Protection (Sen. Wagner)
This legislation seeks to eliminate the practice of public employers engaging in the deduction of political money from the paychecks of public sector workers. This includes both PAC contributions and the portion of union dues used for political activities. SB 166 would establish this policy in law while SB 167 would amend the state constitution with the same restrictions. NFIB members, like most Pennsylvanians, have long opposed taxpayer resources being used for political purposes. NFIB supports these bills.
Status: Reported from the Senate State Government Committee, on the Senate Calendar.
SB 241 (Sen. McGarrigle) – Equal Pay Act
This legislation would prohibit employers from adopting policies as a condition of employment that an employee refrain from disclosing the amount of the employee’s wages. The legislation further states that employers may not be required to disclose employees’ wages either. NFIB is reviewing this legislation to ensure it is in line with the National Labor Relations Act, which already prohibits such policies, and to ensure the bill does not increase private causes of action which would subject small-business owners to meritless lawsuits.
Status: Reported from the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, on the Senate Calendar.
If members have any legislative questions, or want to bring an item to the attention of our PA Legislative Director, Neal Lesher, you may contact him at [email protected]
