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In this Update:
Gebhard Bill to Ensure All Disabled Veterans Receive Hunting License Benefit Passes Committee
I’m proud to share that my bill to close a gap in PA’s free hunting license program for disabled veterans passed the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee unanimously this week. Every veteran with a service-connected disability deserves equal recognition for their service. Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat – in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities – are not currently eligible for a discount. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans. The bill now moves to the full Senate for a vote. Helping Return Money Your Money
This past weekend, I joined Rep. Dave Zimmerman and the office of State Treasurer Stacy Garrity at the Reinholds Fire Company to help residents in Lancaster County process unclaimed property. Did you know that 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property waiting to be claimed? Thanks to legislation from the Senate, the PA Money Match program now allows up to $500 to be automatically returned. To see if you have unclaimed property, visit: https://www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/ Fair Queen Advocacy Day at the Capitol
This week, I had the honor of meeting two bright young women from my district for Fair Queen Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The Alternate State Fair Queen, Brooke Beamesderfer, is a Northern Lebanon graduate and the former Lebanon Fair Queen. She currently attends Penn State, where she’s studying agricultural policy. I had the honor of introducing Brooke in Session. You can watch here. I also had the pleasure of meeting Annalee McCray, Miss Denver Fair, who is a senior at Cocalico High School. It was great talking with both about the importance of Pennsylvania’s local fairs and the vital role agriculture plays in our communities. Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. New Protections Against Telemarketers Approved by Senate
The Senate approved legislation to better protect Pennsylvanians from scammers and other deceitful telemarketers. Senate Bill 992 prohibits telemarketing calls being made on Sundays and either before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on every other day of the week. It also expands the law to cover text messages, voicemails and “ringless” voicemails – tools often used by telemarketers to evade existing restrictions. In addition, it establishes penalties for both telemarketers and the companies that hire them for illegal activity. The bill would also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence or fake caller IDs to deceive or defraud consumers. A violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Make Your Voice Heard Tuesday on Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day, the last chance of the year for voters to weigh in on races for local, county and judicial positions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. Internship Opportunity for Students Interested in Public Policy Careers
College students interested in careers in public policy can apply for summer internships in Harrisburg through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Internships are awarded through an essay contest. Applicants must write between 1,500 and 2,500 words about a controversial policy currently under consideration by the General Assembly. The 2026 contest asks applicants to write about the pros and cons of data centers, and what the state’s role should be. Applicants have until Jan. 23, 2026 to submit their essay and other materials to the foundation. The winners will receive a cash prize and placement in paid state government summer internships in Harrisburg for eight to 10 weeks. Coming Together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was a time of reflection and unity. Senators from both sides of the aisle took part in October’s Rock the Ribbon campaign to acknowledge the strength of those impacted and the continued importance of awareness. Please share this information with a friend or family member. It could save their life. Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
Join me along with State Representatives Russ Diamond, Tom Jones, and John Schlegel for a special breakfast honoring our veterans. The event is free and will be hosted at the Campbelltown Fire Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 9 a.m. Veterans may register themselves and one guest by calling 717-274-6735 or online at: https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/veterans-breakfast-111525/. Local Events
Friday, October 31; 6-8pm: Trick or Treat Night Saturday, November 1; 5-8pm: Haunted Historical Walk Sunday, November 2; 2-3pm: Conrad Weiser Homestead Fall Lecture Sunday, November 9; 7:30-11:30am: Strausstown Volunteer Fire Company’s Breakfast Saturday, November 8; 9am-2pm: Annville-Cleona Holiday Craft Show Saturday, November 8: Conrad Weiser Craft Show Friday, November 7-8: Heidelberg Heritage Society Christmas Bazaar Friday, November 7-9: Distelfink Country Christmas Friday, November 15, 8am-2pm: St. Paul the Apostle Church
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