Rep. Tina Pickett

Maddy summaryHB 238 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to establish requirements for obtaining REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents applying for or renewing driver's licenses by mandating specific identity and residency documentation during the application process. The bill formalizes the state's process for verifying these documents to meet federal REAL ID standards, ensuring licenses are accepted for federal purposes like air travel and accessing government facilities. This policy change updates existing licensing procedures without altering federal requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 278 is a Pennsylvania state resolution designating September 12, 2025, as "The Day of the Bible" within the state. It is a commemorative resolution with no legal effect or policy changes, solely intended to recognize the Bible through a symbolic designation. The bill does not impose obligations on individuals, institutions, or the government, nor does it alter existing laws. It was referred to committee and reported as amended in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 creates a new legal standard for lawsuits alleging "negligent marketing" of firearms by manufacturers or sellers. It requires plaintiffs to prove four specific conditions before a lawsuit can proceed: (1) marketing directly targeted legally prohibited firearm owners, (2) encouraged unlawful firearm use, (3) showed a direct causal link to harm, and (4) demonstrated the manufacturer violated a specific regulatory statute. If these conditions aren't met, courts must dismiss the case and award fees to the defending manufacturer or seller. The bill directly affects plaintiffs seeking to sue firearm companies and provides stronger legal protections for those companies.

Maddy summaryHB 2141 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to adjust how funds from oil and gas leases and forest land use are distributed. It changes the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to include specific rental payments from Commonwealth-owned land (excluding game/fish lands) and updates the allocation of fees from federal/State forest land use. The key provision requires a $3 annual per-acre charge on forest land, split as $1.20 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and $1.80 from gaming revenue, to be distributed to counties, school districts, and townships where the land is located. This directly affects local governments receiving these payments from Commonwealth-owned forest properties.

Maddy summaryHB 2137 creates a new "Military Event License Exemption" program for eligible military personnel and veterans in Pennsylvania. It exempts qualifying individuals (veterans with 30%+ service-connected disability, active/reserve members or veterans with Purple Heart, plus one assistant per person) from hunting license fees during approved events. Events must be hosted on private land with landowner approval, last no more than seven days, include no more than 10 participants, and require 14-day advance applications with documentation. The bill also modifies regulated hunting grounds permits to allow labeled packaging instead of tagging for birds killed under permit authority. (Bill: HB 2137, Section 2701(d) and 2928(f.1))

Maddy summaryHB 2142 repeals a 1936 law that imposed an 18% tax on liquor sold by Pennsylvania's state-run liquor stores (operated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board). The repealed law defined "liquor" and required the Board to collect the tax from customers and remit it to the state treasury, with specific reporting procedures. This bill eliminates the tax requirement and its associated administrative rules, meaning the state will no longer collect this specific tax from liquor sales at state stores. The repeal affects the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's operations and the state's revenue system for this historical tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2139 defines "cell-cultured protein" (lab-grown meat made from animal cells grown outside the animal) and prohibits its manufacturing, sale, delivery, holding for sale, or offering for sale in Pennsylvania. The bill directly affects companies developing or selling lab-grown meat products within the state. Key provisions establish a legal definition for this emerging food technology and ban all commercial transactions involving it. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, creating a clear regulatory restriction on this specific food product type.

Maddy summaryThis bill narrows who can legally kill wildlife to protect farm property in Pennsylvania. It restricts the definition of "person" to only: (1) owners/lessees of farms under the state's Right-to-Farm Law, (2) their immediate family living on the farm, (3) household members residing there, or (4) employees regularly working the farm. Previously, broader categories like general land cultivators were included, but this amendment limits the exception strictly to active agricultural operations. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2105 establishes an employer self-audit program in Pennsylvania, allowing businesses to voluntarily correct accidental unpaid wages or minor labor violations before enforcement action. It directly affects employers who unintentionally violated specific labor laws (like the Minimum Wage Act or Wage Payment Law) by requiring them to submit detailed audits, payroll records, and payment calculations for affected employees. Employers must demonstrate they corrected the issue, weren’t under investigation, and reviewed compliance resources before applying. The program focuses only on "negligent" (non-willful) violations, excluding cases involving falsified records or serious harm. This bill aims to foster cooperation between employers and the Department of Labor, not impose penalties for past mistakes.

Maddy summaryHB 170 modifies Pennsylvania's vehicle registration and inspection rules for farm vehicles. It creates three new weight-based categories (AA, BB, CC) for exempt farm vehicles, each with specific travel limits: Type AA (under 10,000 lbs) may travel up to 50 miles, Type BB (10,001-17,000 lbs) up to 25 miles, and Type CC (over 17,000 lbs) up to 10 miles between farms or related business locations. The bill also establishes corresponding biennial fees ($24-$100) based on vehicle weight and requires a valid inspection certificate for operation. This directly affects farmers using vehicles over 17,000 lbs, who must now display inspections but face fewer travel restrictions than non-exempt vehicles.