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| Legislative Update |
| What’s happening in Harrisburg and the 102nd Legislative District. |
Concealed Carry Seminar in Fredericksburg Oct. 25
I am hosting a free Concealed Carry Seminar on Thursday, Oct. 25, for area residents to learn more about Pennsylvania’s firearm laws.
The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Community Center, 125 South Tan St., Fredericksburg. Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold will give a presentation about Pennsylvania’s firearms laws regarding concealed carry and self-defense, as well as Second Amendment rights.
This is a great opportunity for those who own a firearm, or those who are considering purchasing one, to learn more about their rights. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions following the presentation.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Oct. 23 by calling my office at (717) 277-2101 or going online at RepDiamond.com.
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Feds Extend REAL ID Grace Period
Pennsylvania has been granted an extended grace period to comply with REAL ID requirements set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grace period was set to expire Oct. 10, 2018, but has now been extended until Aug. 1, 2019. A final federal deadline for all states to comply is Oct. 1, 2020.
This grace period extension means that Pennsylvania residents will not face access issues when entering federal facilities or boarding commercial aircraft through at least Aug. 1, 2019.
REAL ID is voluntary for Pennsylvania residents, but encouraged for those who may need to access certain federal facilities, such as military bases, or fly commercial flights within the United States. Residents also have the option to use other, non-REAL ID forms of enhanced identification. Click here for that list.
Residents wishing to obtain REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and photo ID cards can obtain them, beginning in March 2019. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to pre-verify for REAL ID the required documentation as soon as possible, giving them ample time to prepare.
One of the required documents is a certified copy of a birth certificate, which can take up to several months to process, depending on one’s circumstances. My office can help residents with birth certificate applications. Call or stop by for more information.
More information about REAL ID, including frequently asked questions, can be found at dmv.pa.gov.
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Chronic Wasting Disease Discussed as Part of Deer Farm Tour
The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, of which I am a member, had the opportunity to visit a Harrisburg-area deer farm and talk with the owners and other members of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association (PDFA) on Tuesday. Much of the discussion was focused on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the extensive efforts deer farmers are taking to prevent this deadly disease in their herds, and the challenges it presents to their livelihoods. Thank you to the Schmidt family, owners of Rocky Meadow Whitetails, and to PDFA for organizing this informative tour and discussion.
LVC to Receive $400,000 State Grant to Enhance Pedestrian Accessibility
This week grant funding was announced for 42 highway, bridge, transit, ports and waterways, and bike and pedestrian projects through PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.
One of the recipients of the grant funding is Lebanon Valley College, which will receive $400,000 to widen an existing pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad to enhance the connection between Lebanon Valley College’s north and south campuses and the greater Annville area.
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Ensuring Upkeep of Veterans’ Graves
This week, the House unanimously approved legislation to help ensure proper upkeep of the graves of Pennsylvania veterans.
Under current law, counties are required to place a marker and a U.S. flag on the graves of all honorably discharged veterans. These U.S. flags are to remain up from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July.
However, House Bill 1471 would enhance current law to ensure cemeteries remove torn and weathered flags after the Fourth of July annually, and allow a veteran’s family member to keep them if they choose.
The legislation would also clarify current law to ensure greater communication between cemeteries, local veterans organizations and county commissioners, who are currently required to provide the flags.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for review.
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Fall in Love with PA’s Autumn Colors
Fall leaves are just about to turn across several areas in Pennsylvania, helping to boost tourism activities in many regions.
According to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation.
Both in-state and out-of-state visitors can find the best places to view fall foliage and track the locations of the peak colors throughout the state, beginning in late September. The weekly fall foliage report is available here.
Click here to read more about Pennsylvania’s fall tourism activities.
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PennDOT Closures for Columbus Day Weekend
All PennDOT driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Oct. 6, through Monday, Oct. 8, in observance of Columbus Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver-training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
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To honor those who have fought breast cancer or are fighting it now, the fountain at the Pennsylvania State Capitol’s East Wing was dyed pink on Tuesday for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink fountain is also a reminder to all women of the importance of mammograms and early detection. This week, the House also passed House Resolution 1048 recognizing October 2018 as “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and Oct. 19, 2018, as “National Mammography Day” in Pennsylvania. The American Cancer Society estimates that 268,670 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and that’s why it is important to continue to educate the public about breast cancer and stress the importance of routine self-breast exams, regularly scheduled doctor visits and yearly mammograms as recommended.
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| Office Locations |
| District: 2232 Lebanon Valley Mall, Lebanon, PA 17042 | Phone: (717) 277-2101 |
| Capitol: Room 53B, East Wing, PO Box 202102, Harrisburg PA 17120-2102 | Phone: (717) 787-2686 |
| Email: rdiamond@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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