The Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday approved a measure introduced by Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, designed to make it easier for military personnel and overseas civilians to participate in state elections.The legislation, the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act, would allow states to extend to military and overseas civilian voters some of the accommodations given for federal elections by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 and its amendment, the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act of 2009.Among other provisions, the bill:n covers federal and state primary, municipal, general and special elections conducted in the Commonwealth.n allows all covered voters to use the federal postcard application to register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot at the same time.n allows uniformed service members, their spouses and dependents and bedridden veterans to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to register to vote, apply for an absentee ballot or vote at the same time.n provides that an application for an absentee ballot for a primary election will be considered a standing request for an absentee ballot for a special election, general election or municipal election occurring in the same calendar year as the primary.The committee also approved a Robbins-authored measure that would make several changes to the State Athletic Commission’s role in the oversight of professional and amateur boxing competitions.Both bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.———Legislation that seeks to save local governments money while making sure the public is fully informed about the activities of municipal planning commissions earned unanimous support of the state House of Representatives, said bill sponsor, Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th.The measure includes provisions so that an interested party can request either mailed or electronic notice of planning commission meetings.In doing so, Stevenson said, the third party must supply self-addressed and postage-paid envelopes in advance of the meeting or hearing. If a third party requests electronic notice, he or she must supply a valid email address.The activities of planning commissions that would require advanced notice would include adopting and amending municipal, multi-municipal and county comprehensive plans; official maps; subdivision and land development ordinances; and zoning ordinances.“We’re living in a global society where people can own property or mineral rights in one municipality and live in another county or state,” Stevenson said. “The decisions of planning commissions are important in the long-term future of a municipality, and for government to work efficiently, we need to ensure all interested parties are involved in the process.”House Bill 1484 now goes to the Senate for consideration.———U.S. Rep.

Mike Kelly, R-3rd, has been named as a recipient of the 2012 Thomas Jefferson Award by the International Foodservice Distributors Association.The award honors the legislator’s work to strengthen our nation’s economic prosperity and the free enterprise system.The award is based on voting records on issues critical to the prosperity of the food service distribution industry and the nation’s overall economy.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, on Wednesday voted for reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.The measure, approved by a vote of 330-93, would keep the Ex-Im Bank in operation through 2014. The current charter for the organization expires on May 31.“The Export-Import Bank provides critical funding to keep Western Pennsylvania’s manufacturers competitive with overseas markets,” Altmire said. “This long-term reauthorization is exactly the kind of bipartisan legislation Congress should focus on to stimulate job growth, support American workers, and continue our economic recovery.”