Briggs highlights productive session for the PA House Judiciary Committee
Rep. Tim Briggs December 12, 2024 | 1:16 PM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, issued the following statement about the 2023-24 Legislative Session.
“The House Judiciary Committee had one of its most productive sessions in recent memory during the 2023-24 legislative term. It was a productive term, and we started our work on the very first day that the speaker of the House named me as the majority chairman. We moved transformative legislation that will positively impact many of our families, friends, neighbors and communities. The committee moved 137 pieces of legislation out of committee and to the floor of the House of Representatives. Thirty-four of the bills passed out of the committee were signed by the governor and became law.
“I am proud to report that we were able to get bills to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk for signature that provide dignity for incarcerated women, Clean Slate 3.0, probation reform, automatic record expungement after receiving an unconditional pardon, renewal of the Wiretap Act, established the Pennsylvania Family Arbitration Act, significant improvements to our guardianship system, protecting free speech with an Anti-SLAPP bill, moved to protect elder Pennsylvania’s from abuse by amending the Slayer Statue and we created a Rape Kit Tracking System to take rapists off our streets.
“We passed laws to help victims of human trafficking, protect children in child custody cases and provide justice-involved juveniles with the tools they need to get back on track. We expanded the Safe Haven Law by adding urgent care centers to protect infants and took a stand against porch pirates and organized retail theft gangs. We supported our judiciary by securing funding for public defenders and legal aid, passed legislation to protect federal judges from violence, and established new Common Pleas judgeships in 11 counties to address case backlogs, including two new judges in Montgomery County, which will both take effect in 2027
“Not every bill we passed out of committee made it to the governor’s desk, but we advanced priorities like protecting childhood victims of sexual abuse, reasonable firearm reforms, extending anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people, repeal of the death penalty, protection of body autonomy, hate crimes reform, environmental protections and protections for our furry family members. We also moved a bill to protect consumers from anti-competitive corporate actions that inflate the prices of goods and services for every Pennsylvanian.
“Overall, the House Judiciary Committee was the most active standing committee in the legislature. We accomplished big things that have been stalled in the legislature for many years. We can be proud of the public policy we debated, considered and passed. I am proud that many of the bills we passed received bipartisan support. Having more people at the table and more ideas better reflects the commonwealth.
“In the new year and new legislative session, I hope to continue the momentum we started. At the end of the day, if we work together across the aisle, we do a better job for our constituents and together we can make Pennsylvania a better place to live, raise a family, work and retire.
“The Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus has proven that putting people first and prioritizing bipartisan solutions can lead to transformative results for families, workers and communities across the commonwealth. The achievements of the 2023-24 session demonstrate the power of collaboration and a commitment to addressing the real needs of Pennsylvanians.”
Historic Investments in Schools and Communities:
- Expanded Funding for Schools (H.B. 1408, H.B. 141)
- Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program (H.B. 688)
- Grow Your Own Educator Program (H.B. 141)
Cutting Costs and Putting Money Back in Your Pocket:
- Expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (H.B. 1100)
- Eliminated Junk Fees to Save Consumers Money (H.B. 636)
- Helped First-Time Homebuyers Save for Their Dream Home (H.B. 126)
Supporting Workers and Families:
- Increased Minimum Wage for All Workers (H.B. 1500)
- Provided Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers (H.B. 1481)
- Protected Birth Control Access and Healthcare for Families (H.B. 1140)
Safer, Stronger Communities:
- Modernized 911 Emergency Services Funding (H.B. 1304, S.B. 807)
- Created Safer Communities Grant Program (H.B. 1130)
- Strengthened Distracted Driving Laws (S.B. 37)
- Railroad Safety Improvements (H.B. 1028)
- Tax Credits to Retain Workers (H.B. 1272)
- Safeguards Against AI-Generated Misinformation (H.B. 1598)
- Opening Justice for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (H.B. 1, H.B. 2)
- Comprehensive Background Checks on Firearm Sales (H.B.714, H.B. 777)
- Ensuring Body Autonomy and Reproductive Rights (H.B. 1786, H.B. 1140)
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved this session, but we know there’s more work to do. Whether it’s protecting access to health care, ensuring fair wages or modernizing our infrastructure, House Democrats are committed to building a better Pennsylvania for everyone.”