Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryHR 254 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility and costs of burying electrical power lines underground instead of keeping them overhead. It does not change current laws or require immediate action, but mandates the Commission to examine potential benefits like reduced storm damage and aesthetic improvements. The study would provide factual information to inform future legislative decisions about infrastructure investments.

Maddy summaryHB 968 allows active duty military members and disabled veterans to use their home state fishing and hunting licenses in Pennsylvania without purchasing separate Pennsylvania licenses. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s Fish (Title 30) and Game (Title 34) statutes to create reciprocity for annual licenses, directly benefiting these groups when fishing or hunting in the state. Key provisions remove the need for these individuals to pay additional fees for Pennsylvania licenses, streamlining access to outdoor recreation. The bill passed in June 2025 and is now law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 23, 2025, as "Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes Dravet syndrome, a rare genetic epilepsy condition affecting approximately 20,000 people in the U.S., but does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies. The resolution serves only as a formal acknowledgment of the condition and its impact on affected individuals and families. It has no direct effect on healthcare access, treatment, or legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 requires cities and towns to notify property owners when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updates special flood hazard area maps. This directly affects homeowners and property owners in areas where flood risk maps change. Municipalities must send written notice to affected property owners within 30 days of a FEMA map update. The law aims to ensure residents understand potential changes to flood insurance requirements and property risk levels. It does not alter FEMA's map-making process or flood insurance mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the history of the current state song, gather public submissions for a new song, and propose changes. The commission would directly affect Pennsylvania residents by potentially recommending a new official state song. Key provisions include conducting historical research, soliciting song submissions from the public, and submitting recommendations to the legislature. The bill is procedural, focusing on the process of reviewing the state song rather than changing it immediately. (Note: This bill was laid on the table in the Senate and did not advance to becoming law.)

Maddy summaryHB 1637 clarifies definitions for gambling devices under Pennsylvania law, directly affecting businesses selling gaming equipment and law enforcement. It defines "amusement games" as devices offering only noncash prizes (like free food or low-value merchandise) with no cash redemption, and "slot machines" as devices that can pay cash, redeemable tokens, or merchandise through chance. The bill specifies that certified gaming devices, antique machines, and true amusement games are excluded from the slot machine definition. This creates clearer legal boundaries to distinguish lawful amusement devices from illegal gambling equipment. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Bridge Key 28737 - located at 13th Street over Bushkill Creek in Easton, Northampton County - as the Honorable James F. Prendergast Memorial Bridge. It honors James F. Prendergast, a WWII Marine Corps veteran (Navy Cross recipient), Easton lawyer, and 20-year Pennsylvania State Representative (1958-1978). The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install signs displaying the new name on the bridge. It is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 19, 2025, as "Korean-American Citizenship Day" in Pennsylvania to celebrate the first naturalization of a Korean-American citizen in 1890. It is a symbolic recognition with no policy changes, funding, or direct impact on laws or regulations. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture for Pennsylvania's Korean-American community and historical milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 375 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to establish specific rules for signage in subdivision and land development projects. It directly affects developers, local governments, and planning commissions by modifying how signs (like property or project markers) can be placed, sized, or displayed during development. The bill creates standardized provisions to ensure signage complies with community design standards without requiring additional local ordinances. This change aims to streamline the approval process for development projects while maintaining visual consistency in new neighborhoods. The bill passed final passage on June 11, 2025, and was referred to the Local Government committee.

Maddy summaryHB 191 updates Pennsylvania's school safety requirements by replacing outdated rules about CPR and defibrillator training. It repeals old teacher certification requirements for CPR instruction and school health service rules about automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill now mandates new CPR and AED training for school staff, sets specific standards for AED availability and placement in schools, and establishes an official AED program. This directly affects public schools, teachers, and school health personnel by requiring updated emergency response protocols. The bill focuses on modernizing school health safety procedures rather than changing other aspects of education.