Rep. Jamie Walsh

Maddy summaryHB 998 exempts drivers of small school buses (carrying 11-15 passengers, including the driver) from needing a school bus driver endorsement or commercial driver's license. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to remove these requirements for buses transporting students to or from public, private, or parochial schools or school-related events. This directly affects school bus drivers operating smaller vehicles under the specified passenger capacity. The key provision eliminates a licensing hurdle for these specific school transportation roles, aligning with existing exemptions for similar vehicle types. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's House Resolution 131 is a non-binding statement urging the federal government to delay REAL ID enforcement until the program is eliminated. It argues that REAL ID requirements burden citizens' freedom of movement, disproportionately affect married women, and have been delayed for nearly two decades without security justification, causing public confusion. The resolution specifically asks the President to pause enforcement (with an upcoming May 2025 deadline) and urges Congress to abolish the program entirely. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals directly - it is solely a request sent to the President and federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 958 amends Pennsylvania's 1978 Storm Water Management Act to update the Department of Environmental Resources to the Department of Environmental Protection and clarify its responsibilities. The bill requires the department to provide technical assistance to local governments for implementing storm water plans and conduct annual water quality testing of surface waters, with backup options for testing if resources are limited. It also streamlines the approval process for watershed storm water plans and clarifies grant eligibility for municipalities and counties to cover storm water management costs. These changes directly affect local governments, small storm sewer systems, and the state environmental department in managing storm water infrastructure and water quality.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's House Resolution 125 is a petition to Congress requesting an Article V constitutional convention to propose amendments focused on three specific areas: imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and setting term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution specifies that any convention must be limited to these topics only, cannot consider changes to the Bill of Rights, and requires two-thirds of states to apply for the same purpose before Congress acts. It details Pennsylvania's delegate selection process (five members chosen by the legislature with voting rules) and includes conditions like Congress only setting the convention's time/place, states having equal voting power, and delegates disqualifying if accepting gifts. The resolution explicitly recommends ratification of any amendments through state legislatures rather than conventions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Pennsylvania's meat packing and food preparation industries to verify the work authorization status of their employees using the federal E-Verify system. It applies specifically to businesses with 100 or more employees at a single facility or those licensed under state food safety and meat hygiene laws. Employers must keep verification records for the duration of employment or three years, whichever is longer, and the Department of Labor and Industry will be authorized to investigate complaints and inspect business records for compliance. The legislation prohibits knowingly hiring unauthorized employees and establishes a formal complaint process for individuals alleging violations. Penalties for non-compliance are imposed through existing state legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill requires hotels and lodgings with at least 150 rooms to verify the work authorization status of all employees through the federal E-Verify system and maintain verification records for at least three years or the duration of employment. The law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals who lack legal permission to work in the United States and applies to staffing agencies supplying workers to the hotel industry. The Department of Labor and Industry will be tasked with investigating complaints about violations, conducting inspections of employer records, and interviewing relevant personnel. Employers who violate the prohibition face penalties, while individuals who knowingly submit false information in complaints could face criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Storm Water Management Act to allow municipal roadmasters to redirect or modify road projects in specific watershed areas to reduce storm water impacts. It directly affects local municipalities and their roadmasters, giving them flexibility in planning road infrastructure within designated watershed zones. The key change adds a new provision (Section 5(d)) requiring watershed storm water plans to include options for road project adjustments, without creating new regulations or funding. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania counties to develop and update storm water management plans for every watershed within their borders. Counties must create these plans within two years of the environmental department issuing guidelines and review and revise them at least every five years. Municipalities without public water or sewer systems are exempt from participating in the plans. The bill specifies deadlines and regular review intervals for existing county plans under the Storm Water Management Act.

Maddy summaryHB 854 requires school board members to recuse themselves from voting on collective bargaining agreements if their spouse, romantic partner, or household member is part of the bargaining unit covered by that agreement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish this conflict-of-interest rule, directly affecting school board members during contract negotiations. Key provisions mandate automatic recusal for board members with personal ties to the employees covered by the agreement being voted on. The rule takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to prevent potential bias in negotiations.

Maddy summaryHB 762 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt volunteer emergency service organizations from paying state sales and use tax on protective equipment. The bill specifically covers volunteer EMS companies, fire companies, and rescue companies - defined as nonprofit groups providing emergency medical, fire, or rescue services. It excludes purchases like helmets, turnout gear, boots, gloves, and respiratory protection units from taxation when bought for members performing their duties. This tax exemption will apply to sales occurring on or after July 1, 2025.