**Please note that this co-sponsorship memo is for my Per Diem Bill, not to be confused with my previously circulated co-sponsorship memo for my Per Diem Resolution to change the House Rules.**
Many Members are collecting more in per diem payments than they are actually spending. This proposed rule helps to fix that problem. From 01/01/2011 to 12/06/2012, 165 House Members collected $3,462,368.90 in per diem payments. That is an average of $20,984.05 per Member. I live 240 miles and 5 hours away from the Capitol and my per diem expenses for that time period were only $11,258.00. I turn in a per diem every time I accumulate receipts that total a per diem payment allowance.
Below, in bold, please find changes I wish to have drafted into legislation.
Members who are not on a Committee may not sign in to be eligible for a per diem payment for a Committee Meeting or Committee Hearing of that committee. An exception shall be granted to the prime sponsor of a House Bill or House Resolution if the prime sponsor participates in the Committee Meeting or Committee Hearing. An exception shall also be granted if a Member who is not on a committee testifies at a Committee Meeting or Committee Hearing.
Members shall not be eligible for a per diem payment on an official holiday of the House if the House is not in Session and if the Capitol Complex legislative staff has been advised that the State House will be closed that day and they do not have to report to work. An exception shall be granted if the official holiday is a Session Day, the day before a Session Day, or the day after a Session Day.
Members shall not be eligible for a per diem payment on a Saturday unless it is the day before a Session Day, a Session Day, or the day after a Session Day.
Members shall not be eligible for a per diem payment on a Sunday unless it is the day before a Session Day, a Session Day, or the day after a Session Day.
Members shall be eligible for a per diem payment on a week day that is not a Session Day, Committee Meeting Day, or Committee Hearing Day if performing state related job duties such as attending Caucus Meetings, participating in state sponsored events such as the PA Farm Show, touring state facilities, participating in meetings with the Governor's office, or a state department, or a state agency, preparing for Session, preparing for meetings, working on legislation, and other similar things. Members shall also be eligible for a per diem payment if inclement weather, medical conditions impacting safe driving, late adjournments, late recesses, etc. extends a stay longer than normal. This category of per diem payments shall not exceed 52 days per year.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have questions regarding this matter.
BR/hmr
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