Posted: | January 6, 2015 04:34 PM |
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From: | Senator Rob Teplitz |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Made in PA Program |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation in the Senate to create the Made in PA program, which expands the PA Preferred concept to more products made here in Pennsylvania. Rep. Neal Goodman has introduced this same bill in the House. It was HB 1800 last session, and he is re-introducing it this session. As you may know, the PA Department of Agriculture started the PA Preferred program in 2004 to identify and promote food and agricultural products grown, produced, or processed in Pennsylvania. It was subsequently enacted into law by Act 78 of 2011. The program’s members -- predominantly producers and processors -- are licensed by the Department to display the trademark blue and gold PA Preferred logo. However, due to federal trademark law, PA Preferred cannot simply be extended beyond the classification schedules encompassing the agricultural industry, which is why additional legislation is needed. The legislation will expand this successful program by establishing a new “Made in PA” logo to include a broader range of products made in Pennsylvania that are not currently covered by the registered PA Preferred label. By drawing on the achievements of this program through a complementary Made in PA trademark, we can generate additional interest in and demand for PA products, and, thereby, create and retain good manufacturing jobs for Pennsylvania families. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB157