Rep. Pat Harkins

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's State Agency Green Technology Implementation Act to broaden the scope of technologies that state agencies can test, specifically adding "emerging" and "cost-reductive" options alongside existing energy-efficient ones. The legislation grants the Secretary of General Services the authority to approve pilot programs for new technologies that meet high-performance building standards and have been independently certified or previously used by another state government. By requiring proof of energy savings and independent assessments for cost-reduction projects, the bill aims to ensure that state agencies only adopt solutions that are validated for their effectiveness before wider implementation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state laws to make it illegal to operate a watercraft if a person has completed a diversion program for a similar boating offense within the last 10 years. It also clarifies that evidence of alcohol or drug levels found more than two hours after driving a boat can still be used to prove impairment. Finally, the legislation adjusts how penalties are graded based on the number of prior offenses and whether an accident occurred.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 15, 2026, as "Court Appointed Special Advocates Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of the state's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. The bill directly affects CASA volunteers and staff who provide free advocacy for abused and neglected children within the court system. By officially recognizing the date of the program's incorporation, the measure aims to highlight the contributions of these trained volunteers who help ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable youth. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania hunting laws to require hunters to complete and attach game tags to big game immediately after a kill, before moving the animal. It also clarifies rules for transporting small game without the owner present and ensures that any electronic tagging options offered by the commission must include a free physical tag alternative. The changes aim to standardize how game is reported and moved, with a 60-day delay before the new rules take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that officially designates June 2, 2026, as "Cancer Action Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the state's high cancer rates. It highlights statistics on cancer diagnoses and deaths in the Commonwealth while noting disparities in access to care for various communities. The resolution urges lawmakers to support future legislation aimed at improving cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to honor those affected by cancer and advocate for improved health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's disability waiver programs. It specifically examines how to improve experiences for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based Services waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The study will assess medical care access, healthcare support barriers, and staffing challenges for waiver participants. The findings will inform future improvements to these services, focusing on people with disabilities who rely on community-based care instead of institutional settings. (HR 134, 2025)

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the financial costs and benefits of the state's continued participation in the PJM Interconnection, a regional electricity grid operator. It specifically requires the Commission to examine whether maintaining membership in PJM provides value for Pennsylvania ratepayers and the state's energy infrastructure. The study will inform future decisions about the state's energy grid participation, but the resolution itself does not change current policies or impose new requirements. This procedural measure affects only the state government's internal review process, not utility customers or energy providers directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create a centralized online database tracking all utility rates and rate increase requests. The database must be searchable by company, entity, utility type, year, or docket number and will store information for at least the previous 20 years. The commission must update the database within 10 days of receiving a new rate increase request and may hire a third party to manage the system. This change directly affects utility customers by making historical pricing data more accessible and transparent.

Maddy summaryHB 1291 amends Pennsylvania's legal notices statute to clarify definitions and requirements for publishing legal notices. It updates terms like "advertisement" and "digital newspaper" to specify that legal notices must appear in newspapers of general circulation and prohibits unauthorized publications. The bill makes editorial changes to existing definitions without creating new requirements for publishers or government entities. This procedural update ensures consistency in how legal notices are published under current law.