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In this Update:
Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Opens New Training Center
I was honored to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association’s new training center in Grantville this week. The $2.5 million renovation added more than 9,000 square feet of space, including live fire labs, classrooms, and outdoor training zones. This facility provides students with the chance to gain hands-on skills and prepare for careers in the trades and energy industries. With such a high demand for skilled workers across Pennsylvania, this training center is a great step toward filing that gap. Learn more here: https://www.ppatec.com/ Improving Public Safety
Public safety is one of my top priorities, and the Senate has taken many important steps this year. We passed new laws closing a legal loophole to require sports officials and nonprofit volunteers and employees convicted of sexual assault to register as sexual offenders, and improving the enforcement of Protection from Abuse petitions. To boost fire protection, we enacted measures targeting Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage, fixing issues with emergency services funding and making it less cumbersome for firefighters to obtain their certification. Legislation passed by the Senate and awaiting action in the House of Representatives includes a bill prohibiting non-monetary bail for the most dangerous individuals and cracking down on thieves using new technology to steal vehicles by spoofing key fobs. I’ll keep working hard to make our communities safe. You can review other measures we passed to increase public safety and address other subjects here. Save the Date: Free Upcoming Events
Please join me for the following events I will be hosting this fall. You can RSVP by calling 717-274-6735 or online at https://senatorgebhard.com/events/. Senate Acts to Help Charitable Organizations Raise Funds
More Pennsylvanians are using cashless payments for transactions, so we approved legislation to allow charitable organizations to accept electronic payments, such as credit cards and Venmo, to raise funds. Senate Bill 416 would allow nonprofits such as volunteer fire companies, youth sports leagues, churches and veterans’ groups to accept electronic payments for raffle tickets. Under current law, nonprofits are limited to accepting only cash or checks for these transactions, which has made it harder to raise funds in today’s increasingly cashless society. The legislation also adds safeguards to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of digital payment methods. Organizations must still comply with the Small Games of Chance Act. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Farmland Preservation Update
This week, the State Agriculture Land Preservation Board voted to preserve 2,017 acres on 33 farms in 16 counties across Pennsylvania, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. I’m proud to share that two farms in our district were included in this round of preservation:
This is an important investment in our agricultural heritage, food security, and future generations. September Food Drive During Hunger Action Month
With September being right around the corner, I will be hosting a food drive at my district offices in honor of Hunger Action Month. You can donate unexpired, no-perishable food items from September 1 through September 30 at my district offices in Lebanon and Wernersville. At the end of the month, the items will be donated to an area food bank.
With the holiday seasons right around the corner, this food drive is a great way to support our local food banks and help those in need. Each donation no matter how big or small will be a great help. Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania
It’s Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania – the first initiative of its kind in the U.S. A Senate resolution would address the alarming rise in online child exploitation and help schools, parents and community leaders promote education and prevention of internet dangers to children. Some resources include:
The resolution builds on recent legislative efforts to protect children from threats online. Act 125 of 2024 criminalized the creation and distribution of an intimate or sexual deepfake of a person and classified explicit deepfakes of minors as child sexual abuse material. Act 35 of 2025 classified digital impersonation and deepfakes as a form of criminal forgery giving law enforcement new tools to combat online abuse. Summer Boating Safety: Life Jackets Save Lives
Boating is a popular pastime across Pennsylvania, particularly in the summer. While it comes with some risk, there is one step we can take to help keep the danger away from the fun. Approximately 80% of boating fatalities happen to boaters who are not wearing a life jacket. Under state law, all boats must have a regulation life jacket on board for each person. Children ages 12 and younger must wear a life jacket in all canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and boats 20 feet long. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lists detailed information about proper use of life jackets, and what state law requires, to help you enjoy the waterways safely. August is Back to School Month
As we head into the late stretch of summer, children and parents across our area are preparing for the return to school. It’s a time filled with lots of excitement and more than a little nervousness. Please keep an eye out for more child pedestrians along the roads, particularly around bus stops. Here’s to a new year of learning and making memories! Local Events
Saturday, August 23, 10am: Invasive Species and How They Impact Our Lives Saturday, August 23-24: River Fest – Food & Music Festival Saturday, August 23, 10-11am: History on the Porch Saturday, August 23, 11am-3pm: Clean Up Day Saturday, August 23, 12pm-9pm: Nickolas Sieber’s Traditional Jazz and Ragtime Festival Saturday, August 23, 8am: Keystone Large Car Nationals Saturday, August 24, 11am-3pm: Den Tech 9th Annual Car & Bike Show Tuesday, September 9-13: The Denver Fair Wednesday, September 10, 6:30-9:30am: United Way 2025/26 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast
*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website. Please email cgebhard@pasen.gov if you would like to send me a message. If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or visit https://senatorgebhard.com/ |
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