In this Update:

Senate Votes to Strengthen PA’s Sexual Offender Registry
Coffee and Conversation in Landisville on Oct. 15
Bill to Minimize Utility Disruptions, Protect Workers Passes Senate
Senate Approves Bill Exempting Milk Haulers from Travel Bans
$10 Million Available to Farmers for Agricultural Innovation
Honoring the Late Sen. Noah Wenger
Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in My Telephone Town Hall
Happy 100^th Birthday to Lititz Resident
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
2025 PA Farm Show Theme Unveiled in Lancaster County
Volunteer with Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization
State Pumpkin Contest Open Until Oct. 20

Senate Votes to Strengthen PA’s Sexual Offender Registry

The Senate unanimously approved legislation to protect children from sexual predators by closing a loophole in existing state law. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1317 would add the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer, or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II sexual offense, requiring individuals convicted of this offense to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Under current law, those convicted of this offense are not required to register as sex offenders.

The bill supports the Senate Republican priority of cultivating healthy and safe communities.

Coffee and Conversation in Landisville on Oct. 15

To connect with residents of the 36^th Senatorial District, I will be hosting a Coffee and Conversation event on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 9-11 a.m. at the East Hempfield Township Building, 1700 Nissley Road, Landisville.

It’s an informal opportunity to discuss issues that are important to Lancaster County communities and what’s happening in Harrisburg. There will be light refreshments, and people are welcome to drop in whenever best suits their schedule.

Please click here to RSVP to attend the event.

Bill to Minimize Utility Disruptions, Protect Workers Passes Senate

The Senate unanimously passed a bill to improve and extend protection of Pennsylvanians and the workers who maintain essential underground utilities such as gas, water, telecommunications, and more. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1237 would make permanent the PA One Call Law, which has been extended for 50 years and is set to expire on Dec. 31. PA One Call prevents accidents that threaten the safety of Pennsylvanians, construction workers, and other excavators. It also minimizes utility service disruptions by ensuring underground utility lines are properly marked prior to any digging.

The bill would also enhance safety protocols by improving communication between excavators, facility owners, and the Public Utility Commission, as well as requiring better documentation of underground utility lines. To prevent dangerous situations, the legislation calls for expanded timelines for filing violation reports and additional consequences for non-compliance.

Senate Approves Bill Exempting Milk Haulers from Travel Bans

The Senate approved legislation to exempt milk haulers from travel bans imposed during a declaration of disaster emergency. It heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 153 would allow a licensed milk hauler to transport milk on highways even during weather-related commercial travel bans. These vehicles would be required to display a decal that would be developed and issued by the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board.

Dairy producers and processers had to dispose of milk due to weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans, rather than have it transported to market. This adversely affects their already tight profit margins, threatening farmers financially and making them more likely to be forced out of the industry – compromising Pennsylvanians’ access to healthy beverages and foods.

$10 Million Available to Farmers for Agricultural Innovation

To support farmers who supply our communities with healthy foods and beverages, Senate Republicans dedicated $10 million for the new Agricultural Innovation Grant Program in this year’s budget.

Funding can be used to improve efficiency on the farm or in processing, generate energy while reducing nutrient waste leaving the farm and support crops that effectively store carbon or replace non-renewable resources. It can also be used to address practical challenges including data collection, biosecurity and odor remediation.

Learn more about eligibility and apply online by Nov. 15.

Honoring the Late Sen. Noah Wenger

Sen. Scott Martin and I hosted a ceremony to honor the life and service of the late Sen. Noah Wenger. His family and friends joined us as we dedicated a portion of U.S. Route 222 in Lancaster County in his honor.

Wenger served in the General Assembly for 30 years, including 24 years in the state Senate. During his tenure, he was elected to the Senate Republican Leadership Team as Caucus Chairman and later as Appropriations Committee Chairman. He also played a leading role in creating the state’s highly successful farmland preservation program.

Watch my remarks at the highway dedication ceremony here. Watch the full ceremony here, and view all photos from the ceremony here.

Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in My Telephone Town Hall

Thanks to everyone who joined my recent Telephone Town Hall. More than 1,000 people listened in as we discussed topics like smartphones in schools, property taxes, artificial intelligence in the classroom, energy grid reliability, and more.

During the call, I asked participants poll questions about individualized medication plans for students, revoking state aid for college students in violation of their campus’s protesting policy, and addressing student smartphone use during school hours. Take a look at how your neighbors responded here.

For future outreach events, check out my website.

Happy 100^th Birthday to Lititz Resident

Happy belated 100^th birthday to Lititz resident Phyllis Singer. A graduate of Gettysburg College with a degree in history and foreign languages, Phyllis was able to speak four different languages. She worked in advertising for a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland, for many years.

Ms. Singer was married to Rev. James Miller Singer for 57 years before he passed, and is the proud mother of two children and has been blessed with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

My best wishes to Phyllis!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As we kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, we honor the brave survivors, fighters and advocates who inspire us all in the battle against breast cancer. Each year, we turn the Capitol fountain pink as a powerful reminder of our commitment to raising awareness, advancing research and supporting early detection efforts.

This month serves as an important time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead. One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime, so early detection and access to life-saving treatments remain critical. We stand united in spreading awareness and fostering hope, reminding everyone that we can make a lasting impact in the fight against breast cancer.

Stay up to date here.

2025 PA Farm Show Theme Unveiled in Lancaster County

The 2025 Farm Show theme was revealed last week at Oregon Dairy Farmstead in Lancaster County. The theme will be “Powering Pennsylvania.” With agriculture being our state’s top industry, our farms, ranches, and orchards truly are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy.

Volunteer with Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization (Lancaster MPO) is seeking volunteers for one of its Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) community-wide interests’ positions.

The community-wide interests’ position could include but not be limited to persons who represent business and finance, operating freight and passenger railroad, freight interests, environmental health interests, and advocates for persons with disabilities.

Learn more about the MPO here. To volunteer to serve on TTAC, please fill out the online form here by Oct. 28. Please contact Kristiana Barr at kbarr@lancastercounty.gov or 717-299-8339 with questions.

State Pumpkin Contest Open Until Oct. 20

The Department of Agriculture has announced its PA Preferred® Pumpkin Palooza Contest. Participants are encouraged to express their creativity by painting or carving a pumpkin.

Pumpkins must be purchased from a Pennsylvania farm, and contestants must be a Pennsylvania resident. Three age divisions include child (11 and younger), youth (12-17) and adult (18 and older).

Contestants should email a photo of their submission, with the subject “PA Pumpkin Palooza Entry,” to agcontests@pa.gov by Oct. 20. Winners, who will be emailed on Oct. 24, will receive a PA Preferred swag bag. Learn more.

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