The state House of Representatives’ Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, on which Rep. Scott Hutchinson, R-64th, serves, recently amended and approved a bill to help veteran-owned businesses in their attempts to secure contracts with the commonwealth.

The bill would establish an annual goal of filling 3 percent or more of state contracts with veteran-owned small businesses.

Hutchinson noted the legislation would provide staff to assist veteran-owned small businesses with the procurement process, publicize contract opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses and establish business assistance offices in the commonwealth to achieve these goals.

The committee approved a technical amendment to the bill that did not change the substance or purpose of the legislation.

The measure now heads to the full House for consideration.

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State Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, is encouraging volunteer fire companies and ambulance services throughout the 11th Legislative District that have not already done so to apply for the 2012 Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program. The application period closes Friday.

The General Assembly recently adopted Act 78 of 2012 to reauthorize the grant program for an additional four years and increase the total grant funding available from $25 million to $30 million, Ellis noted.

The grants may be used for construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of equipment, training or debt reduction.

Grants to eligible fire companies will be contingent on their agreeing to participate in and report information using the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System.

Last year, fire and ambulance organizations across the state received thousands of dollars in funding from the program, which was created by the General Assembly as Act 10 of 2007. The program is funded through state gaming proceeds.

For more information, visit www.RepEllis.com and click on “Fire and Ambulance Grants.”