Rep. Michael Stender

Maddy summaryHB 219 amends Pennsylvania's realty transfer tax law to exclude transfers of real estate to members of the armed forces relocating for duty. The exclusion applies when the military member provides final orders showing they will be stationed in Pennsylvania or a contiguous state and intends to reside in the transferred single-family home as their primary residence. This means such property transfers will not incur the realty transfer tax, directly benefiting military personnel moving to Pennsylvania for service. The bill creates a clear, objective tax exemption for these specific relocation scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's court cost structure for criminal and civil cases, including specific fees for summary convictions, misdemeanors, felonies, and civil matters like landlord-tenant disputes. It exempts traffic citations (cases under vehicle laws) from an additional fee provision that would otherwise apply. The changes affect defendants who pay court costs and the state treasury, which collects these fees. The bill clarifies that traffic violations will no longer be subject to the "additional fees" outlined in Section 3733(a.1).

Maddy summaryHB 218 would allow Pennsylvania taxpayers to deduct mortgage insurance premiums from their personal income tax. The deduction applies to premiums paid for residential mortgage insurance, including coverage against loan default or nonpayment on home loans. Taxpayers can claim this deduction on their annual tax return, but it cannot reduce taxable income below zero. This change would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 189 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to exempt multipurpose agricultural vehicles from registration requirements. This change directly affects farmers who use such vehicles exclusively on their own farms or on highways connecting parts of a single farm or between two farms within 10 miles of each other. The bill specifies that these vehicles cannot be used for general public road travel outside of farm-related activities. The exemption applies only to vehicles owned or operated by the farm owner, not to commercial or non-agricultural vehicles. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 116 amends Pennsylvania's aggravated assault law to specifically include assaults against individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. The bill adds a new provision making it a felony of the second degree to intentionally or knowingly cause bodily injury to such individuals or attempt to do so, regardless of their age. It defines "intellectual disability" as significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with limitations in adaptive skills and "autism spectrum disorder" as defined in existing law. This change directly affects people with these conditions by strengthening legal protections and increases penalties for offenders targeting them.

Maddy summaryHB 112 amends Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law to clarify which vehicles are covered under the law. It adds a new definition for "farm equipment" as new, unused vehicles exclusively designed for agricultural use (like planting or harvesting) that are registered in Pennsylvania. This change explicitly includes farm equipment under the definition of "new motor vehicle" in the law, ensuring these vehicles qualify for lemon law protections. The bill directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses purchasing or leasing such vehicles in Pennsylvania. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 73 updates Pennsylvania's emergency medical services laws by changing certification renewal requirements for EMRs (Emergency Medical Responders) and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) to every three years through exams or continuing education, with recertification options within six years of expiration. It also modifies EMS vehicle operator rules, making certification permanent but requiring three-year registration (with continuing education) for most operators, excluding those exclusively working for certain qualified providers. These changes directly affect EMS personnel who must meet these updated standards to maintain their ability to work in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 70 changes Pennsylvania's regular antlered deer hunting season to begin on the first Monday following Thanksgiving each year. This directly affects deer hunters across the state by establishing a fixed seasonal start date, overriding previous regulations. The bill amends Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to implement this specific opening date. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's tax code to provide specific definitions for volunteer firefighter retirement plans and to clarify how their contributions are treated for tax purposes. It directly affects volunteer firefighters and the fire companies or municipalities that sponsor their benefit programs by distinguishing these contributions from regular taxable compensation. The legislation establishes clear rules for two types of plans: defined benefit plans, which offer a guaranteed payout, and defined contribution plans, which rely on specific deposits. By explicitly stating that these contributions are not considered compensation, the bill aims to prevent them from being taxed as income for the firefighters. These changes apply to taxable years starting on or after January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to standardize the three-year registration and recertification requirements for emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, and emergency medical services vehicle operators. Under the new rules, these professionals must renew their credentials every three years by passing exams or completing continuing education credits, while those whose licenses have expired for six years or less can regain certification through testing or additional training. The legislation also clarifies that EMS vehicle operator certifications are permanent but require triennial registration, except for those working exclusively for a specific regional system, and establishes stricter criteria for maintaining operator status, including limits on recent driving violations.