Rep. Kyle Donahue

Maddy summaryHB 492 repeals Section 8041 of Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code, which previously regulated rodeo events. This removes specific municipal restrictions on rodeo operations, including a 12-day annual limit for ticketed rodeos and definitions for "rodeo hosting entities." The bill directly affects municipalities (counties, cities, townships) and rodeo operators by eliminating these regulatory requirements. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, streamlining the Fiscal Code by removing outdated provisions unrelated to fiscal management.

Maddy summaryHB 921 establishes Pennsylvania's Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help residents with overdue water or wastewater bills after the federal program ends. It requires the Department of Human Services to create the program by July 1, 2026, with eligibility based on income, owning/renting a home in PA, and having overdue bills (including termination notices). Water or wastewater utility companies can apply for grants on behalf of eligible customers to prevent service termination, pay past-due bills, or restore services. The program mandates annual reports to the Governor and legislative committees detailing grant recipients, amounts, and expenditures. This policy directly affects low-income households facing water service disruptions and utility providers serving them.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the week of May 9-15, 2025, as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically raises awareness about stuttering - a speech disorder affecting approximately 130,000 Pennsylvanians - without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. The resolution aims to highlight misconceptions about stuttering and support efforts to reduce stigma, particularly for children and adults who stutter.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update rules for charter and cyber charter schools. It prohibits public school entities from paying for or accepting sponsorship for public events (Section 134(a.1)), and adds definitions for terms like "family member," "school district of residence," and "emergency" to clarify enrollment and operational requirements. The bill revises charter school accountability standards, requiring them to participate in state assessments, maintain nonsectarian operations, and follow specific enrollment rules (Section 1715-A). These changes directly affect charter school operators, school districts, and students by setting clearer financial limits, enrollment criteria, and operational expectations.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish standards for school-based health centers in public, private, and parochial schools. It requires these centers to provide accessible care without denying services based on payment ability, insurance status, or health conditions, while coordinating with students' existing primary care providers. Centers must offer a full range of services with proper parental consent, minimize barriers to care, and maintain confidentiality per federal law. The bill also creates a statewide advisory council and a department liaison to oversee implementation and ensure centers align with student needs like age, demographics, and community resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1371 creates new antitrust enforcement tools in Pennsylvania, primarily affecting health care providers, insurers, and consumers. It establishes a legal cause of action for antitrust violations, allows indirect purchasers (like patients) to seek recovery for harm caused by anti-competitive practices, and requires premerger notification for health care mergers and transactions. The bill also imposes penalties for violations and defines key terms like "health care facility system" and "provider organization." This directly impacts health care entities planning mergers and gives consumers a new avenue to challenge unfair pricing or reduced competition.

Maddy summaryHB 684 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt evidence-based reading curricula and implement annual reading screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must identify reading deficiencies using approved screeners, notify parents in writing about deficiencies, and provide individualized reading intervention plans for affected students. The bill mandates that educators complete approved professional development training by the 2028-2029 school year to support these requirements. It directly affects K-3 students, their families, and school staff, with specific deadlines for curriculum adoption, screening, and educator training. The law also establishes reporting and accountability measures for school entities to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1328 creates a new program providing property tax and rent rebates to eligible Pennsylvania veterans. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from U.S. armed forces (including National Guard) within the past three years who live in Pennsylvania. The bill establishes income-based rebates: $650 for households earning $0-$8,000, $500 for $8,001-$15,000, $300 for $15,001-$18,000, and $250 for $18,001-$35,000 annually. A new Veterans Property Tax Rebate Account will fund these rebates, which apply to real property taxes or rent payments exceeding 15% of household income.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to allow employees to deduct overtime pay from their taxable income when filing personal income tax returns. The bill defines "overtime pay" as compensation earned for hours worked beyond 40 per week (per federal standards) and requires employers to withhold tax on this amount. Employees who received overtime in 2026 or later can subtract the full overtime amount from their taxable income, potentially resulting in a tax refund if the deduction lowers their liability below zero. This directly affects Pennsylvania employees who earn overtime and employers who withhold taxes on such earnings. The changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 213) designates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth Independence Day" to commemorate June 19, 1865 - the date Union troops in Galveston, Texas, announced the end of slavery nationwide. It encourages Pennsylvania residents to observe the day through educational events and activities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or establish a paid holiday, but formally recognizes the historical significance of the date when slavery was finally abolished in all U.S. regions.