Rep. Dane Watro

Maddy summaryHB 1380 amends Pennsylvania’s Conservation and Natural Resources Act to require the Chief Forest Fire Warden to submit an annual report by March 1 each year. The report must include wildfire activity locations, prevention actions, prescribed burn data (including information shared by other entities), firefighter manpower by district, and wildfire equipment inventories. This report is submitted to specific legislative committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill focuses on improving transparency and data collection for wildfire management, without altering forest management practices. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1379 creates a dedicated "Forest Fire Warden Fund" within the Pennsylvania state treasury to reimburse local forest fire wardens for approved activities. The bill establishes that funds from this new account will cover expenses related to controlled burns, fire investigations, public safety events, training, and mutual aid requests made to emergency management agencies. It directly affects local forest fire wardens and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by providing a clear funding mechanism for their operational costs. This procedural change streamlines reimbursement processes under the existing Conservation and Natural Resources Act without altering forest management policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2088 amends Pennsylvania's MCARE Act to clarify requirements for medical malpractice lawsuits. It defines a "certificate of merit" as a written statement from a licensed expert confirming a doctor's care fell below professional standards, requiring this to be filed with the complaint or within 60 days of filing. The bill mandates that experts testifying about medical standards must be licensed physicians actively practicing or recently retired (within five years) in the same specialty as the defendant doctor, with board certification in that specialty. These changes directly affect patients filing malpractice claims, doctors defending such claims, and medical experts providing testimony.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's process for disposing of unserviceable road and bridge materials, including millings (road surface fragments collected during repairs). It requires the state to first offer such materials for free to the local political subdivision (county, city, borough, or township) where they were used, if that subdivision agrees to transport them. If declined, materials are sold to other political subdivisions at the best price, with bidding for multiple requests, and all sales must be used for road, bridge, or street projects. Proceeds from sales are deposited into the Motor License Fund, which supports transportation infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 2062 establishes six specialized emergency response teams within the Pennsylvania State Police, one for each of six designated geographic regions (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Central-South Central, and Southwest). These teams will handle incidents requiring rapid, tactical responses, with the State Police Commissioner setting their duties and mandatory training requirements. The training covers critical skills like safe building entry, team communication during operations, threat identification under stress, and preventing friendly fire. The bill mandates that the Commissioner develop selection criteria for team members and distribute these to regional stations.

Maddy summaryHB 2055 requires Pennsylvania police officers to complete a mandatory basic tactical operations course as part of their certification training. The course covers practical skills like safe building entry, team communication during operations, threat identification under stress, and scenario-based training focused on officer safety and lawful force use. This new requirement applies specifically to police officers seeking certification under Pennsylvania's municipal police training rules. Completion of this course becomes a prerequisite for certification, directly affecting all new and existing officers needing to maintain their certification status.

Maddy summaryHB 2054 would provide temporary financial and operational assistance to Pennsylvania's emergency response systems. It directly affects the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Pennsylvania State Police, and the Office of State Treasurer by requiring them to implement specific support measures. The bill establishes duties for these agencies to manage and distribute this temporary aid, though it does not specify the exact emergency scenarios or funding amounts. As a substantive law-and-justice bill, it focuses on operational structure rather than broad policy changes. (Note: The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee referral stage as of November 19, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHR 371 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study whether creating a shared training facility at Fort Indiantown Gap for the Pennsylvania National Guard and State Police is feasible. It would assess practical, financial, and operational aspects of establishing this joint facility. The Commission must issue a final report with findings and recommendations after completing the study. This resolution directly affects the National Guard and State Police by potentially enabling a new training site, but it does not create the facility itself.

Maddy summaryHB 2046 updates Pennsylvania's gaming laws to establish a new framework for skill-based video gaming, which would directly affect gaming operators and players. The bill modifies how slot machine revenue is distributed to the State Gaming Fund, requiring the Department of Revenue to manage these funds and implement new tax collection for skill video gaming. It also introduces criminal and civil penalties for violations related to these gaming activities. The law aims to create a regulated system for skill video gaming while adjusting revenue streams for the state's existing gaming programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2032 amends Pennsylvania's retirement system rules for state employees and officers, affecting how they join, contribute to, and receive retirement benefits. It changes membership requirements (making some participation mandatory or optional), adjusts how years of service count toward benefits, and updates rules for ending retirement payments (annuities). The bill directly impacts current and future state workers by altering their retirement eligibility, contribution amounts, and benefit calculations under the state system. It does not change general public benefits but specifically targets state employee retirement program administration. The bill is currently under review by the State Government committee.