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In this Update:
Join Me for My Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 5!
On Thursday, November 5, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., I am inviting all area veterans and their family members to attend a free veteran appreciation luncheon at the American Legion Social Hall located at 1501 N. Juniata Street in Hollidaysburg. As a token of my deepest gratitude to our veterans for their service to our country, I hope you will join us! Rsvp’s are required by October 30th, you can call 814-695-8386 to register. Senate Bills to Help Local Nonprofits Are Now Law
The Senate gave final approval of measures to help local nonprofits, including American Legion posts, VFWs and fire companies, by expanding fundraising opportunities, allowing organizations to retain more of the money they raise and providing additional ways to accept raffle ticket payments. Senate Bill 416 would allow eligible nonprofit organizations to accept electronic payments, including credit cards, debit cards and payments through platforms such as PayPal and Venmo, for raffle tickets. Current law limits these transactions to cash or checks, restricting organizations’ ability to accommodate supporters who increasingly rely on electronic payment methods. Organizations would still be required to verify raffle ticket purchasers are at least 18 years old. The bill does not authorize online gaming or live drawings. Read more about Senate Bill 416. Senate Bill 398 would allow fire companies with a Small Games of Chance license to conduct online raffles, with restrictions ensuring that participants are in Pennsylvania and at least 18 years old, through a pilot program ending Dec. 31, 2027. In addition, the bill would permit organizations to retain 50% of their small games of chance income, up from the current 40%. The remainder would continue to be donated to public interest purposes. The bill would also increase the prize limit for small games of chance conducted by a licensed eligible organization in any seven-day period from $35,000 to $60,000 — the first increase since 2013. Read more about Senate Bill 398. House Fails to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
The Senate passed not one, but two bills, which I introduced, to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges but the House of Representatives refused to vote on either. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. It’s similar to Senate Bill 9, which, like Senate Bill 1293, was passed by the Senate with bipartisan support. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, men have stolen first place from female athletes 98 times and unjustly took second or third place 76 times. I’ll be working again to pass this commonsense measure in the next legislative session. Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week
I introduced Senate Resolution 394 to recognize October 25 to 31, as Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of rare disorders caused by a mutation in one of 18 genes. People with EB share the lifelong challenge of extremely fragile skin that blisters and tears from minor friction or trauma. Epidermolysis Bullosa effects approximately 200 children every year in the United States, which is estimated to be 1 out of every 20,000 births. There is no cure for EB. With skin as fragile as butterfly wings, EB patients are known as “Butterfly Children.” For those struggling with this life-changing disease, this resolution will help to bring awareness and support to affected individuals across the Commonwealth. You can view my full comments from the Senate floor by clicking on the image above. Fighting for Affordable Energy
Rising energy costs have put added pressure on Pennsylvania families and businesses and must be addressed. This legislative session, I made it a priority to prevent new energy taxes and support energy development that strengthens reliability and helps bring costs down. As part of the 2025-26 budget agreement, I worked with my colleagues to eliminate Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a multi-state pact that would have added more than a billion dollars in new electricity taxes. I also supported Senate passage of legislation eliminating the gross receipts tax on electric bills, which would save ratepayers more than $1.7 billion over the first year. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives never approved the tax cut we added to House Bill 1667. Because lack of energy development drives up costs, the Senate passed legislation to reduce Pennsylvania’s electric generation shortfall and expand energy development. Senate Bill 704 directs the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to work together to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. The House also failed to act on this measure. I will continue fighting for lower energy prices, supporting policies which will cut your costs. Senate Votes to Provide Lifetime No-Contact Orders for Victims
A measure to provide lifetime no-contact orders for victims of certain serious or violent offenses was approved by the Senate. Under current law, victims must go to court to renew no-contact protections each time they expire. Without renewal, an offender may once again attempt to contact the victim, even though the conviction, and the harm that made the protection necessary, has not changed. Unwanted contact can retraumatize victims, especially survivors of rape and other sexually violent offenses, including offenses involving the abuse or exploitation of children. Senate Bill 1484 allows a judge, upon the request of the victim or prosecutor, to issue a permanent order prohibiting the defendant from contacting the victim. The order could be terminated or modified at the victim’s request or if the underlying conviction is overturned, dismissed or otherwise legally invalidated. Read more about this bill, known as “Kayleigh’s Law.” Stronger Reporting Requirements for AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
The Senate voted to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child sexual abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI). The legislation has now been signed into law. House Bill 2474 would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, childcare workers, healthcare providers and other individuals responsible for caring for children. The legislation, which was introduced in April, mirrors the language in Senate Bill 1050, a bill the Senate passed in November 2025. The legislation also adds hazing to Pennsylvania’s mandatory reporting guidelines. Hazing is not currently considered child abuse under Pennsylvania law when one child commits that crime against another. Read more about this legislation. New Law Protects Animals from Painful Experimentation
Legislation to protect dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments has been approved by the General Assembly and signed into law. The protections in Senate Bill 381, the Beagle Bill, would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to grant dogs and cats an opportunity to be adopted into a loving home after experiments are over, prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals, prevent the expenditure of commonwealth funds on painful experiments and more. Read more about protecting animals and increasing transparency through the Beagle Bill. How PA Makes Breast Cancer Detection and Care Accessible
Pennsylvania has two significant laws to make early breast cancer detection and follow-up care more accessible. Act 1 of 2023 is a comprehensive breast cancer supplemental screening and genetic testing law now fully in effect for individuals with increased risk factors who are insured under Pennsylvania law. It provides coverage for the following at no cost:
Act 52 of 2025 is a diagnostic breast imaging law that includes no-cost diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs and ultrasounds for individuals of average risk or higher with state-regulated insurance. The law will be fully implemented by January 2028. When in full effect, it will provide coverage for the following at no cost:
Learn more about no-cost breast imaging in PA. Out and About in the 30th DistrictLocal Students Recognized for Heroic Actions Rep. Scott Barger and I had the pleasure of recognizing several Hollidaysburg Senior High students who assisted a bus driver during a medical emergency. These students jumped in without hesitation to stop a rolling bus, check vitals of the driver, and called 9-1-1 for emergency responders! Pictured is Alexis Smith, Skyla Horton and Travis Zerby. Not pictured but recognized was Jenna Anderson.
Pa State Capitol Commission Jeff Whitebread, Pennsylvania State Minister with Capitol Commission, stopped by my office this week while I was in Harrisburg to present me with a beautiful, personalized study Bible. Jeff is often available at the Capitol while we are in session whether for a brief chat or to offer prayer, which is always appreciated. Thank you, Jeff!
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Appreciation Treasurer Stacy Garrity and I enjoyed attending the church service at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church this past weekend. We joined in for their Pastor Appreciation celebration!
Pre-K Counts Head Start Program I enjoyed being a guest at the Pre-K Counts Head Start program at Spring Cove Elementary School. I read a story to the class and made lots of little friends!
Every Life Matters’ Annual Banquet I always enjoy Every Life Matters’ (ELM) annual banquet. ELM is a pregnancy resource center in Blair County, that has been serving women, babies and families for 16 years. It was a great event hosted at B&D Acres barn venue in Tyrone. I am pictured with Deb Hoover, venue owner and supporter of ELM. Also pictured with me are the keynote speaker, Sarah Bowen, Executive Director of Promise of Life Network, and Michelle Politza, Director of ELM. To learn more about the great work of ELM, visit https://elmcenters.org/.
Fulton Fall Folk Festival I had a wonderful time at the Fulton Fall Folk Festival. Walking the Parade route, I was honored greet so many of my Fulton County constituents and got to meet “Lily” from Meadow Brook Farm who led the way for the Fulton County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals.
Blair County Conservation District 60th Anniversary Celebration The Blair County Conservation District celebrated its 60th anniversary in Blair County at its 2026 Annual Banquet. The program included highlights of this year’s achievements, memories of past board members and staff spanning 1966-2026, and a presentation by the 2026 PA Dairy Princess, Blair County’s Rachel Bowman, who read her award-winning competition speech. Congratulations to all the board members and staff, both past and present, on 60 years of conservation in Blair County!
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