Rep. Kyle Donahue

Maddy summaryHB 1834 requires commercial data centers in Pennsylvania to pay fees to the state. These fees fund a new Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund, which boosts assistance for low-income households struggling with energy costs. The bill also mandates that data centers meet specific renewable energy targets and allows them to recover certain operational costs through regulated rates. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Department of Human Services are tasked with implementing these requirements and managing the fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 strengthens railroad safety in Pennsylvania by prohibiting railroads from blocking highway crossings for more than five minutes (with $10,000 penalties), limiting freight train lengths to 8,500 feet, and requiring two-person crews for freight trains (with limited exceptions for smaller railroads). The bill authorizes union representatives to monitor safety practices and operations, mandates functional wayside detector systems on higher-risk tracks, and creates a reporting system for hazardous materials transportation. It directly affects all railroads operating in Pennsylvania, including their safety protocols, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance. Penalties for violations range from $1,000 to $25,000 for crew-related breaches, with enforcement handled by the Public Utility Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 2312, would automatically increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage starting December 1, 2026, and every December 1 thereafter. The adjustment would match the percentage increase applied to state officials' salaries under the Public Official Compensation Law, rather than setting a specific dollar amount. Employers across the state would be required to pay workers at least the adjusted minimum wage, with the Department of Labor and Industry overseeing compliance. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 395 designates March 17, 2026, as "St. Patrick's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of Irish Americans to the founding of the United States, including their roles in the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to honor Irish American heritage and history.

Maddy summaryHB 289 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private schools to test for radon gas in existing buildings starting with the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach 4 picocuries per liter or higher, schools must install mitigation systems and retest until levels fall below that threshold, with new schools required to use radon-resistant construction. Testing must be done by certified professionals using specific protocols, and results must be shared with school boards, parents, teachers, and health officials. Schools with low radon levels must retest every five years, while those needing mitigation must retest every two years. This law directly affects all Pennsylvania school entities and aims to reduce exposure to radon, a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer.

Maddy summaryHB 64 prohibits Pennsylvania employers from punishing employees (including firing, discipline, or threatening adverse actions) for refusing to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about political matters (like elections or party support) or religious matters (like religious affiliation). Employers must post a notice of these rights within 30 days of the law taking effect, and employees can sue for violations like lost wages or retaliation within one year. The bill does not apply to required legal communications, job-related meetings, or voluntary participation in such matters. It allows employees to report violations without fear of retaliation and provides remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or attorney fees.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to update definitions for "specialty drug" and "spread pricing" while establishing a new role for a State pharmacy benefits manager. The updated definitions clarify which prescription medications qualify as specialty drugs based on cost, handling requirements, and patient needs, while defining spread pricing as when a pharmacy benefits manager charges more than it pays pharmacists. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to select a single third-party administrator to manage all pharmacy benefits for Medicaid recipients by July 2026, ensuring all managed care organizations contract with this designated manager. The procurement process mandates competitive selection with strict conflict-of-interest disclosures to prevent conflicts between the manager and other healthcare entities like pharmacies, drug distributors, or managed care organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 80 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. This compact allows licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses for each state. The bill directly affects these healthcare professionals and their patients, streamlining cross-state practice for providers. It creates a standardized process for reciprocity among member states, eliminating redundant licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to clarify how special elections are held for federal and state offices when vacancies occur, requiring the Governor to issue election writs within ten days of a vacancy. It adjusts the number of voter signatures needed for nomination petitions at primaries for various offices, reducing requirements for some positions like state senators and representatives while maintaining higher thresholds for statewide roles. The legislation also changes filing deadlines for nomination papers, eliminates certain filing fees, and establishes procedures for handling rejected petitions and vacancies caused by unpaid fees or missing loyalty oaths.