Rep. Nate Davidson

Maddy summaryHB 726 requires Pennsylvania public, charter, private, and parochial schools to report their current and predicted capital infrastructure needs through a one-time survey. This includes costs related to physical buildings, digital systems, pandemic-related sanitation measures (like air filtration and PPE), and deferred projects since January 2020. The Department of Education will compile these reports into a detailed statewide summary for the General Assembly, specifying actual costs incurred and projected needs through the 2027-2028 school year. The bill does not allocate funding but creates a data foundation for future budget decisions. It directly affects all school entities operating within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 654 amends Pennsylvania's State Lottery Law to expand access to the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET). It raises the income eligibility thresholds for seniors: single individuals with annual incomes between $14,500 and $45,000, and married couples with combined incomes between $17,700 and $55,000, will now qualify. The bill also allows applicants to round income amounts to the nearest whole dollar when reporting. This change directly affects Pennsylvania seniors who rely on PACENET for subsidized prescription drugs by making the program available to more low-to-moderate-income elderly residents.

Maddy summaryHB 560 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to require employers with 15 or more employees to disclose pay ranges for job postings and internal transfer or promotion opportunities. Specifically, employers must provide the pay range to job applicants when a position is advertised and to current employees considered for internal moves. The bill also mandates that employers give new hires and update annually in writing the pay range for the employee's job title and for substantially similar positions within the company. This amendment, which would take effect 60 days after enactment, aims to increase pay transparency under the existing Equal Pay Law.

Maddy summaryHB 540 requires freight trains operating in Pennsylvania to have at least two crew members: one conductor and one locomotive engineer, directly affecting railroads transporting goods across the state. Exceptions include trains within repair facilities or under federal law compliance. Railroads violating this rule face escalating civil penalties ($5,000-$20,000 per offense), with fines deposited into the General Fund for enforcement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities code to establish these safety standards and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHB 542 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen campaign finance transparency and accountability. It requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to biennially adjust contribution limits for candidates and political committees, and adds detailed definitions clarifying what constitutes campaign expenditures, independent spending, and corporate political activity. The bill mandates that businesses disclose political contributions and expenditures, including those by "chief executive officers" of corporations, and defines "affiliate" committees to prevent circumventing contribution rules. These changes directly affect candidates, political committees, corporations, and business entities engaging in election-related spending within Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 9, 2025, as "Charter Day" and Pennsylvania's 344th birthday, commemorating the 1681 charter granted to William Penn by King Charles II. It urges residents, schools, and historical organizations to participate in existing events hosted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and other state heritage institutions. The resolution has no binding legal effect and does not create new policies or obligations; it solely recognizes a historically observed date through ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryHB 481 proposes changing Pennsylvania's constitutional amendment process. It requires two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers for proposed amendments, followed by mandatory newspaper publication in all counties and voter approval at the next general election (or a one-month window for emergency amendments requiring two-thirds approval). The bill modifies Article XI of the Pennsylvania Constitution to standardize these steps, including separate voting for multiple amendments. It does not alter existing laws but changes how future constitutional changes would be enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 428 establishes the Pennsylvania Artist Fellowship Grant Program, providing $100,000 annual grants to up to 25 eligible artists in the state. The program directly affects Pennsylvania residents aged 18+ who are visual, media, film, or performing artists with regular creative practice, not enrolled in school, and who produce community-accessible work. Key provisions include the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts administering applications, disbursement, and record-keeping, with grants permitted for project costs (materials, travel, housing) but prohibited for political activities or lobbying. The bill appropriates $2.5 million for grants and $250,000 for administration from the General Fund, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 341 requires Pennsylvania public schools to install certified point-of-use filters on all drinking water outlets by January 1, 2027, and replace older fountains without filters with bottle-filling stations or filtered fountains (at least one per 100 students/staff). It establishes a $10 million annual Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund to provide grants for filter installation and fountain replacement, prioritizing schools built before 2014 and those serving prekindergarten students. The bill also mandates schools to publicly report their compliance plans, filter maintenance schedules, and lead risk information online, while new outlets must meet strict lead-leaching standards (NSF 61). This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school entities, focusing on reducing lead exposure in drinking water.

Maddy summaryHB 281 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are at high risk. High-risk individuals include those with a family history of prostate cancer, genetic factors, or physician-determined medical need. The law mandates annual coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, eliminating deductibles or copays. It applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed 180 days after enactment, with full implementation in 60 days. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and Pennsylvania residents meeting the specified risk criteria.