U.S. Rep.

Melissa Hart, R-3rd, this week voted to approve legislation that seeks to tighten controls on the world's nuclear black market and promote democracy abroad.The provisions were included in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2006 and 2007, which also provides aid to refugees worldwide.Hart said protecting Americans against the attack at home must be a priority in the war against terror and that fight must include the elimination of the nuclear weapons and materials black market.The legislation, passed Wednesday by the House of Representatives, authorizes the president to prohibit commercial transactions with any foreign person, group or company that provides nuclear material enrichment or reprocessing equipment to a state that does not already possess the capability.It also mandates that U.S. foreign assistance can only be provided to countries that are not promoting nuclear terrorism and are cooperating with the U.S. on eliminating nuclear black market networks.Legislation further honoring veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom is now law, according to the sponsor of the enacted bill, state Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th."I am very pleased that my legislation will further honor veterans who have so bravely fought for our country by allowing them to obtain license plates noting their military service," Stevenson said last Friday.The law establishes three specialty license plates for automobiles and light trucks: the Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans' plate; the Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) veterans' plate; and a special plate for veterans of general service.Each license plate will cost $20 in addition to the normal registration fee. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to certify those veterans applying for such plates.Several military plates for veterans of various conflicts are already issued and include Pearl Harbor Survivors, Korean War, Vietnam War, WWII, and Persian Gulf War.Stevenson's legislation also included amendments by the state Senate to make several changes to the state's vehicle code.One provision allows up to $1 million in liquid fuels tax money generated by motorized recreational vehicles to be distributed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to improve public roads, highways and bridges, and to groom roads for snowmobile use and safety.