Rep. Tina Pickett

Maddy summaryHB 1124 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to protect eligible seniors from losing property tax or rent rebates due to automatic Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). It directly affects seniors currently receiving these rebates who exceed income limits solely because of COLAs. The bill modifies the definition of "income" to specifically state that seniors eligible as of December 31, 2024, remain eligible if their income limit is exceeded only due to Social Security COLAs. This exception applies until December 31, 2028. The change ensures these seniors maintain their rebate eligibility during temporary income spikes caused by federal COLAs.

Maddy summaryHB 1116 (Study of PFAS Chemicals in Biosolids Act) requires Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to study PFAS chemicals (a group of persistent industrial chemicals) in biosolids used on farmland. The study must test PFAS levels in biosolids and soil/water near treated fields compared to untreated areas, analyze contamination pathways to food (including crops, livestock, and milk), and evaluate testing/treatment methods. The Department must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and other agencies and submit a report to relevant legislative committees within 180 days. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania farmers applying biosolids to fields, food safety systems, and state environmental monitoring practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1112 allows Pennsylvania electric utility customers to request traditional electromechanical analog meters instead of smart meters. Customers can elect this option by notifying their utility company, and if the utility has already installed smart meters, they may charge the customer for the switch - amortized over 12 months - but cannot impose additional fees. The bill directly affects residential and commercial electricity customers who prefer analog meters for privacy or cost reasons. It defines "electromechanical analog meters" as devices with no wireless capabilities, no power line transmission/reception, and specific safety features, while ensuring costs are recovered through approved utility rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 prohibits the government from taking land or property used for cemeteries, burying grounds, or places of public worship - including land owned by religious or cemetery institutions but not currently used for those purposes - through eminent domain under Pennsylvania's current laws. The bill directly affects property owners and institutions operating cemeteries or places of worship by adding a legal barrier to government acquisition. It amends Title 16 of Pennsylvania law to explicitly restrict eminent domain actions targeting these specific properties, with no exception provided in the cited text. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 shortens Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for collecting most assessed taxes from 10 years to 7 years. It applies to taxes where the settlement, determination, or assessment becomes final after January 1, 2026, including taxes from nonfiled returns due after that date. The bill specifies that filing a tax lien does not extend this 7-year collection period. This change directly affects taxpayers with unpaid taxes and the Department of Revenue, which must collect within the new timeframe. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 2) designates March 25, 2025, as "National Medal of Honor Day" within the state. It symbolically recognizes the Medal of Honor - the military's highest award for valor - as first presented on March 25, 1863, and highlights Pennsylvania's 379 Medal of Honor recipients (second-highest in the U.S.). The resolution has no binding effect or new policy requirements; it solely serves to honor recipients and their service through a ceremonial designation. It does not directly affect any individuals or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's HB 167 increases the amount financial institutions can pay directly to a deceased person's family without probate from $10,000 to $20,000. It requires families to provide a receipted funeral bill or an affidavit from a licensed funeral director to qualify for this payment. The bill affects banks, credit unions, and other savings institutions, which can now pay eligible family members (spouse, children, parents, or siblings) directly. This change eliminates the need for probate court approval for these smaller payments, streamlining the process for families handling final arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1041 allows a single business to hold both a brewery license and a limited distillery license at the same physical location in Pennsylvania. The bill requires that the areas for each operation be clearly separated (though they may overlap), specifies that both licenses must operate within permitted hours, and states that citations for violations can apply to either or both licenses. This directly affects breweries and distilleries seeking to combine operations under one roof, particularly those allowing on-premise consumption. The law modifies existing Liquor Code provisions (Sections 446 and 505.4) to formalize these dual-license arrangements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 569 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to expand eligibility for death benefits. It explicitly includes coroners (and medical examiners) as covered personnel and adds a presumption that fatal heart attacks or strokes occurring during duty or within 24 hours of physical training/emergency response are work-related. This change directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of coroners, firefighters, ambulance/rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, and National Guard members who die in the line of duty. The bill updates the act's definition of "coroner" and ensures benefits are granted for these new circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 13-19, 2025, as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors 911 dispatchers (also called public safety telecommunicators) who serve as the first point of contact during emergencies and support emergency responders. The resolution recognizes their critical role in ensuring community safety through their professionalism and dedication during high-pressure situations. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies.