Rep. Aaron Kaufer

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, authorizes the State Treasurer and various state retirement systems to invest public funds in Bitcoin and other digital assets. The legislation aims to protect the purchasing power of state money against inflation by allowing these entities to include digital currencies in their investment portfolios. To manage these assets safely, the law requires the use of secure custody solutions that keep private keys in encrypted, government-controlled environments and mandates regular security audits. Additionally, the bill permits the investment of state funds through exchange-traded products that track the value of digital assets.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Digital Assets Authorization Act, prevents state and local governments from banning the use of digital assets like cryptocurrencies for legal transactions or from stopping individuals from keeping their own digital funds in personal wallets. It also explicitly allows residents to operate computer nodes that connect to blockchain networks for transferring assets or maintaining records. While the law protects these activities from government interference, it does not override existing regulations requiring businesses to hold specific licenses or report suspected financial crimes. The legislation takes effect 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's election laws to streamline voter registration processes and clarify rules for government employees. It allows individuals working for the federal or state government who must live away from their home municipality to remain registered at their previous address without needing to declare a new street address. The legislation also expands opportunities for in-person registration, permits voter registration applications to be submitted alongside driver's license requests, and requires government agencies to provide specific forms for voters with disabilities. Additionally, the bill modifies how vacancies in registrar positions are filled and removes certain provisions regarding changes to political party enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 2700 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to update and clarify the rules governing elections, primaries, and party organizations across the state. The bill establishes new boards to oversee voting standards and election planning, while also defining the roles and membership requirements for county election boards and district election officers. It outlines specific procedures for candidate nominations, ballot design, and the use of both paper ballots and electronic voting systems, including requirements for machine installation and voter instruction. Additionally, the legislation sets forth protocols for absentee voting, vote counting, recounts, and penalties for election-related violations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution amends the rules to establish a specific seating arrangement for members in the chamber. It requires that representatives sit in the floor according to their district numbers, with the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader seated at the front. The change clarifies the physical organization of the House floor but does not alter legislative procedures or voting rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to create new rules addressing the management of double utility poles, which occur when old poles remain alongside newly installed replacements because attached infrastructure has not yet been moved. The legislation requires companies that attach services like electricity or cable to these poles to register annually with the commission and provides a framework for utilities to notify them when they must migrate their equipment to new poles. It also establishes procedures for compensating utilities for costs related to removing abandoned attachments and authorizes the commission to impose civil penalties on owners who fail to comply with the new regulations. Additionally, the bill specifies that any costs utilities incur under these rules cannot be passed on to customers through higher rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act to update definitions regarding construction work. Specifically, it adds "rebar system assembly" to the list of covered activities while removing the phrase "or smaller prefabricated components" from the definition of prefabricated components. These changes clarify which specific tasks and materials are subject to prevailing wage requirements for public projects. The bill also outlines updated duties for the Secretary of Labor and Industry in enforcing these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 updates Pennsylvania's Childhood Blood Lead Test Act to mandate that health care providers test all children for lead exposure by age two, rather than merely encouraging it. The bill requires doctors to follow specific federal and pediatric guidelines for testing intervals and mandates a confirmatory test within 12 weeks if initial screening results are elevated. It also introduces an exception for parents who object to standard blood draws on religious or moral grounds, allowing providers to use noninvasive testing methods in those cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Independent Energy Office within Pennsylvania's Independent Regulatory Review Commission to oversee the state's electricity grid. The office will be led by an Energy Advocate appointed by the Consumer Advocate, who has the authority to review actions by state agencies to ensure they do not harm energy reliability or affordability. If the Energy Advocate determines an agency action is harmful, they can first request the agency to reverse it, and if that fails, the office has the power to block or reverse the action itself. The office is also tasked with promoting the use of energy produced within Pennsylvania and operates subject to funding decisions by the state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2500 legalizes the adult use of cannabis in Pennsylvania by establishing a regulatory framework for its possession, sale, and consumption. The bill designates the Department of Agriculture as the primary agency responsible for overseeing the industry, including licensing businesses and enforcing rules on advertising, packaging, and laboratory testing. It creates two new funds to support the industry and promote social equity, while also imposing specific sales and excise taxes on cannabis products. Additionally, the legislation consolidates existing medical cannabis provisions and transfers certain regulatory powers from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture.