Rep. Jim Haddock

Maddy summaryHB 2633 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change how school districts are funded for building construction, maintenance, and renovations. The bill repeals existing grant programs for maintenance projects and building condition assessments, replacing them with a new reimbursement system that calculates payments based on enrollment, building capacity, and local wealth factors. Under the new rules, school entities would receive reimbursement over 20 years for approved projects, with a requirement to match 50% of the cost using local funds unless the project is an emergency. These changes apply to projects seeking approval beginning July 1, 2026, while allowing districts to retroactively seek approval for projects not yet completed by that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2233 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to exempt specific all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) used by emergency services from registration requirements. It directly affects police, fire, and emergency medical services agencies that operate ATVs as emergency vehicles during off-highway response or on closed streets for special events. The bill adds two key exemptions: ATVs used primarily off-highways (traveling ≤10 miles on public roads incidentally) and those operating on restricted streets for events, both exempt from the audible warning system requirement normally applied to emergency vehicles. Operators acting within official duties receive identical liability protections as standard emergency vehicle operators under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates October 10, 2026, as "National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan)" within Pennsylvania. The bill does not alter laws or create new regulations but serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge Taiwan's democratic milestones and economic ties with the state. It highlights the Commonwealth's existing trade relationships and educational partnerships with Taiwan while celebrating shared values of freedom and stability.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life of Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr., who died in the line of duty in March 2026, and extends condolences to his family. The document details his 15-year career, numerous awards, and community service, while formally recognizing his sacrifice as the 105th state police officer to die in service. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to his wife, Casey O'Connor, as a gesture of respect and support.

Maddy summaryHB 1905 amends Pennsylvania law to expand the offense of assault to explicitly include "ethnic intimidation" under Title 18, making bias-motivated harassment a specific criminal charge. It also strengthens protections under Title 42 by prohibiting civil rights violations related to discriminatory conduct. The bill directly affects victims of bias-based crimes and law enforcement handling such cases, requiring specific legal procedures for these offenses. Key provisions clarify that assault charges can now be filed when harassment targets a person's ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. The bill remains pending before the Judiciary committee after its referral on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1902 updates Pennsylvania law to specifically address hate-based harassment by adding "ethnic intimidation" as a distinct criminal offense under assault laws. It expands civil rights protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying violations related to bias against race, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill requires municipal employees to complete annual training on recognizing and responding to hate-based intimidation. These changes directly affect law enforcement, municipal staff, and individuals experiencing bias-motivated violence or discrimination in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to allow the Governor to permit the voluntary display of the Green Star Service Banner on state-owned property. The banner is intended to honor the surviving families of military members and veterans who died by suicide during specific observances. This change adds a new provision to an existing statute that currently gives the Governor authority over how the U.S. flag is displayed on public grounds. The new rule requires that any display of the banner follows existing security and policy guidelines for state property.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Fire Company Transformational Grant Program in Pennsylvania to provide financial support to municipal, volunteer, and combination fire companies. The program will be funded with up to $30 million annually from the Property Tax Relief Reserve Fund and allows grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, with a higher limit for consolidated agencies. Eligible fire companies can use the funds to purchase equipment, build or renovate facilities, recruit and retain staff, and support regionalization efforts. To qualify, applicants must meet specific administrative requirements, such as maintaining current contact information and being registered with a public safety answering point. The administering office will set detailed guidelines for the application process, evaluate requests based on established criteria, and require annual reports on how the grants are used.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires taxpayers with significant sales tax delinquencies or repeated failure to file returns to use an authorized third-party service provider for reporting and remitting taxes. It directly affects Pennsylvania businesses and individuals who owe more than $5,000 in delinquent sales tax or have three consecutive non-filed returns. The Department of Revenue would cover the service provider costs for the first year, after which the taxpayer pays, and could impose a $10,000 penalty for failing to enroll with an approved provider. The law takes effect 60 days after passage and allows taxpayers to continue using the service provider voluntarily after the mandatory period ends.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 10, 2026, as "National Guard and Veterans Day" to honor the history and service of Pennsylvania's National Guard and veterans. The bill recognizes the unit's lineage dating back to 1747 and highlights its extensive contributions to both military operations and domestic emergencies. It serves as a commemorative measure rather than a law that changes funding or policy, aiming to acknowledge the state's military heritage and the roles played by its members.