Rep. Brenda Pugh

Maddy summaryHB 2235 creates a nonrefundable Pennsylvania tax credit of up to $6,000 annually for qualified firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers. It directly affects individuals who are active volunteers or employees of career/volunteer fire companies, EMS companies, or rescue services as defined under Pennsylvania law. The credit applies to the year a person becomes qualified plus the next five consecutive tax years (2027-2031), and must be claimed on tax returns with proof of eligibility. The credit expires December 31, 2037, and cannot be carried over, sold, or transferred.

Maddy summaryHB 710 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle financial responsibility rules by requiring drivers to prove they can cover accident costs. It directly affects Pennsylvania drivers who need to show proof of financial responsibility (like insurance) when registering vehicles or after incidents. The key change is creating an online verification system to replace paper documents, allowing real-time checks by law enforcement and state agencies. This simplifies the process for drivers and officials while ensuring compliance with existing financial responsibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution requiring the General Assembly to meet weekdays (excluding state holidays) until a state budget is enacted if it isn't passed by July 31 of any fiscal year. It directly affects state legislators and the Governor, who would need to maintain sessions until a budget is approved. The key change modifies Article II, Section 4 to mandate these extended sessions as a backup to the current process for passing the annual budget. This amendment would not take effect until approved by voters following the standard constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryHR 340 is a procedural resolution that removes Senate Bill 186 from the Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, requiring the committee to cease further consideration of the bill. This allows Senate Bill 186 to move directly to the full House for debate and a vote. The resolution was placed on the calendar under Rule 53 on October 8, 2025, as part of the legislative process to advance stalled bills. It does not change policy but addresses a procedural delay in the committee.

Maddy summaryHR 328 is a procedural resolution designating October 5-11, 2025, as "Fire Prevention Week" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; it solely recognizes this week for public awareness about fire safety. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by highlighting fire prevention efforts during the designated dates. This is a symbolic gesture with no concrete policy changes, as confirmed by its referral to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee.

Maddy summaryHR 339 is a procedural resolution that removes the House Committee on Health from further consideration of Senate Bill No. 9, allowing the full House to directly debate and vote on that bill. This action bypasses the committee's usual role in reviewing legislation. The bill was added to the calendar for floor consideration under Rule 53 on October 8, 2025, moving it closer to a full vote. It does not change policy but alters the legislative process for Senate Bill No. 9.

Maddy summaryHB 171 requires Pennsylvania wastewater utilities to create a program allowing eligible residential customers to install deduct meters. These meters measure water not entering sewers (like for pools or irrigation), enabling customers to be billed based on net sewer outflow (total water use minus deduct meter volume) instead of total water usage. To participate, customers must have metered water, be current on payments, and cover the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining the meter. The state commission will approve meter standards, oversee the program, and ensure fairness.

Maddy summaryHB 172 amends Pennsylvania's utility billing rules to require public utilities to provide customers with clear payment deadlines: 20 days for residential customers and 15 days for nonresidential customers without late fees. It mandates itemized bills showing separate charges for basic service, taxes, and fuel adjustments, and specifies how fuel adjustment costs must be calculated for bimonthly or quarterly billing cycles. The bill also prohibits utilities from billing for service older than 12 months, except in cases of fraud, meter tampering, or pending commission proceedings. These changes directly affect residential and commercial utility customers across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 would create a program allowing family members of Pennsylvania medical assistance recipients to become certified complex care assistants. These family members would provide specific medical services at home - such as feeding, catheter care, and medication administration - under a registered nurse's supervision after completing 75 hours of training and passing a competency evaluation. The program targets recipients under 21, those eligible for private duty nursing, or those needing both services for medical reasons, with home health agencies reimbursed at a minimum of $45 per hour. It explicitly requires the services to supplement, not replace, existing private duty nursing under the medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryHB 2158 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act by adding specific kratom-related compounds to Schedule I, the most restrictive category for controlled substances. The bill prohibits possession, sale, or distribution of any product containing 7-hydroxymitragynine at 2% or more of total alkaloids, or synthetic versions of kratom alkaloids like mitragynine. This change directly affects businesses selling kratom products and individuals who use such substances, making them illegal without medical authorization. The policy change aligns with existing Schedule I criteria of high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.