Rep. John Schlegel

Maddy summaryHB 2064 increases the maximum fee that clerks of courts in Pennsylvania counties of second class A and third through eighth class (including home rule counties of the same class) can charge for initiating a legal action to $10 (from $5). The fee must be deposited into a county-specific "automation fund" to cover only court technology updates and automation improvements. Future fee increases are capped at the three-year Consumer Price Index change and can occur no more than once every three years. This bill directly affects residents and businesses filing lawsuits in these specific counties.

Maddy summaryHB 2070 amends Pennsylvania's Physical Therapy Practice Act to clarify that "dry needling" is a distinct physical therapy technique (not acupuncture) and requires licensed physical therapists to complete an approved certification program before performing it. The bill directly affects physical therapists in Pennsylvania who use dry needling, adding a mandatory certification requirement. It also explicitly prohibits physical therapist assistants from performing dry needling, even under supervision, and updates the definition of physical therapy to include dry needling as a permitted modality. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2038 amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to update definitions and set new limits on prize values for small-scale gambling activities, such as local lotteries and raffles operated under municipal authority. The bill clarifies specific terms used in the law and establishes specific caps on the maximum prize amounts that can be offered in these games. This directly affects local governments and businesses that host small games of chance, requiring them to adjust prize structures to comply with the updated limits. The bill is currently under review by the Gaming Oversight committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2040 amends Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code to address electric scooters. It adds specific definitions for e-scooters, creates a new offense for careless operation (like reckless riding), and clarifies the powers of transportation departments and local authorities to regulate them. The bill directly affects e-scooter riders and local governments managing sidewalk or road use. Key provisions include defining "careless operation" as a violation and giving authorities clear authority to enforce rules for e-scooter safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2039 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a process for the state to seek federal demonstration authority under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It requires the Department of Education to develop an innovative assessment system - potentially including competency-based or performance-based evaluations - through public hearings and a 30-day comment period before May 1, 2026. The bill mandates submitting a federal application by that date to replace or supplement current standardized testing requirements. This procedural bill directly affects Pennsylvania public schools by enabling a new framework for measuring student achievement, pending federal approval.

Maddy summaryHR 341 is a resolution urging the Department of Human Services to transmit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as legally required. It directly affects the Department of Human Services, mandating compliance with existing federal data reporting rules for SNAP. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to ensure timely submission of enrollment data to the USDA. This is a procedural measure focused on administrative compliance, not policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1108 amends the state's child care assistance program by changing the copayment requirements for low-income families using subsidized child care under public assistance. It directly affects families enrolled in the program who currently pay monthly fees for child care services. The bill modifies the specific payment amounts families must contribute toward their child care costs. The legislation also includes a repeal of related provisions in the Human Services Code, though the specific repealed sections are not detailed in the provided context.

Maddy summaryHR 281 is a procedural resolution that forces the House Committee on Education to stop considering Senate Bill 9. It discharges the committee after 15 legislative days (since May 7, 2025) passed without the committee reporting the bill to the full House. This resolution does not change the content of Senate Bill 9; it only allows the full House to vote on the bill directly. The resolution itself is purely procedural and does not affect any policy or specific group of people.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 3, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" within Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic recognition effort, not a law with legal requirements or direct impact on individuals or businesses. The resolution aims to highlight the importance of the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania's economy. It has been referred to the Labor & Industry committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration rules to update the process for obtaining special "wild resource conservation" license plates. These plates allow vehicle owners to contribute additional fees directly to state wildlife conservation programs. The bill modifies specific registration procedures for these plates within the state's vehicle registration system. It directly affects drivers who choose these plates and the conservation programs funded by the extra fees.