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In this Update:
A Great Week at the Lebanon Area Fair
It was a fantastic week at the Lebanon Area Fair! My intern, Crystal Bomgardner, had the honor of kicking off the festivities by singing the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies. Congratulations to Olivia Morrisey, who was crowned the 2025 Lebanon Area Fair Queen during those same ceremonies. I also had the pleasure of attending the Lebanon Valley Chamber’s Farm to City Breakfast, where Scott Sechler, owner of Bell & Evans, gave an insightful update on the future of agriculture and our local economy. Congratulations to Chloe Bomgardner and Danica Wener on receiving this year’s Farm-City Scholarship. To cap off the week, I was proud to support our agricultural youth by purchasing animals at the fair’s annual auction. These animals are raised by hardworking 4-H and FFA students who bring them to market and compete to auction them off. The funds they earn often go toward their education or back into supporting future 4-H and FFA projects. New Law Protects Users of Virtual Currency
My legislation to protect the increasing number of Pennsylvanians using virtual currency, such as Bitcoin, was signed into law. Act 7 of 2025 requires transmission of virtual currency to be treated similar to money transmission under state law. As more citizens use virtual currencies, the criminal element has increasingly focused on using this platform to evade prosecution. Pennsylvania will join 26 other states regulating virtual currency under their money transmitter acts so individuals can engage with virtual currencies at their own discretion with consumer safeguards in place. Concealed Carry Seminar on Sep 25 at Cabela’s
I’m pleased to announce I will be hosting a Concealed Carry Seminar with Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) on Sep. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Dr, Hamburg. The event will feature information about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws, the Castle Doctrine, reciprocity laws, and how to safely interact with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. Berks County Sheriff, Mandy Miller, will lead the discussion and answer questions about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws. This is a great opportunity to become better informed and ask questions in an educational setting. We hope to see you there! You can RSVP online at https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/ccs-092525/ or call 717-274-6735. Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate
To boost safety and accountability, the Senate passed legislation to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission. The bill also modernizes the legal framework for body camera usage to ensure consistency in how footage is recorded and managed, regardless of the department using it. Nature Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Do you like to tell stories through photographs? The Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest is accepting submissions through July 31. The contest focuses on life along the Susquehanna River through four categories: Recreation, Transportation, River Towns and Wildlife. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition in a traveling gallery. Find details and submission information here. You can view the stunning photographs from last year’s winners here. Flooded Roads: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
More than half of flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood water. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars. Please play it safe and don’t drive around barricades on flooded roads. Never willingly walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around, don’t drown. Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with PA Creameries
With nearly 5,000 dairy farms, Pennsylvania ranks third nationally in ice cream production. You can make your summer sweeter by visiting PA creameries through Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail. The trail connects dairy farm families and ice cream lovers at 52 destinations statewide. Travelers can plan their adventures, learn about participating creameries and accumulate redeemable points by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Find a list of participating creameries, their features and sign-up information here. Local Events
Saturday, July 19-26: Lebanon Area Fair Saturday, July 26-27: Forged Viking Mead Fest Saturday, July 26, 8am-5pm: Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show Saturday, July 26-27, 9am-5pm: WWII Weekend – Historic Schaefferstown Saturday, August 2, 9am-4pm: PABA’s Blacksmith Day Saturday, August 2, 9am-3pm: Berks History Center Founders Day Friday, August 8, 6-8:30pm: Summer Concert Series Saturday, August 9, 8-10am: 5th Annual James Biever Memorial Run
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