Consumers who enter into long-term, prepaid contracts with propane gas or home heating oil companies would be better protected under legislation recently introduced in the state House, said Rep.

Brian Ellis, R-11th.Ellis noted that as industry experts forecast skyrocketing prices of heating oil and propane into next fall, consumers are pursuing prepaid contracts to establish a fixed price for their heating fuel.Unfortunately, he said, some consumers have lost their money when the companies with whom they contracted with went out of business.Under the legislation, propane and oil companies would be required to take one of three steps before entering into any long-term contracts to ensure that their customers are protected, such as:n Securing heating oil or propane gas futures contracts equal to 75 percent of the company's commitments to prepaid consumer contracts.• Securing a surety bond equal to no less than 50 percent of the funds collected from prepaid consumer contracts.• Securing a line of credit or letter of credit from an institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or depositing cash into an FDIC insured account equivalent to the total cost of the fuel the company is committed to deliver through prepaid contracts.The bill also ensures that consumers are protected under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.The bill is currently under consideration in the House Consumer Affairs Committee.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, this week introduced a resolution to establish a Disabled American Veterans Week.Altmire noted there are currently more than 2.8 million disabled veterans in America. More than 30,000 veterans have become disabled during recent combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan."It is my hope that by establishing a Disabled American Veterans Week,"he said, "we will increase people's awareness of the struggles many of America's heroes face everyday and prompt more individuals to find ways to honor and support our wounded warriors."———A state Senate committee on Tuesday approved legislation introduced by Sen.

Don White, R-41st, to establish a special review board to arbitrate coal bed methane well disputes.Currently, disputes between surface land owners and the holders of mineral rights for those properties are often resolved in county courts of common pleas."That's a lengthy, expensive and often acrimonious process for all parties involved," White said. "My legislation would establish a special panel with specific expertise in resolving those disputes, which could streamline the process."The measure calls for the creation of a three-member Coal Bed Methane Review Board to consider objections and attempt to reach an agreement on issues such as the location of coal bed methane wells and/or access roads."Under a 1983 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling, coal bed methane is considered part of the property rights transferred under coal agreements,"White said. "Now, with energy prices rising, methane extraction is becoming more and more attractive to developers.""As a result, many landowners who previously entered into coal agreements subsequently gave up their rights to coal bed methane and are confronted with mineral estate development on their property."My legislation is not intended to change the respective rights and obligations of either party, but rather to create a timely, less expensive process."