Rep. Brenda Pugh

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates 2025 as "The Year of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America" in Pennsylvania to honor the organization's 90-year history of service to faith, family, and country. It is a ceremonial measure expressing the state's recognition of the Catholic War Veterans' contributions, including their work with Pennsylvania's veterans community and their national service since 1935. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it is purely symbolic, with no direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt children's books, toys, and musical instruments from sales and use tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. The legislation defines eligible items as those marketed for children aged 12 and under and clarifies that the tax break applies if payment is made within the six-month period, even if delivery occurs later. Additionally, the Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill proposes to temporarily exempt office supplies from state sales and use tax for a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. The exemption applies to individual consumers purchasing items such as paper, pens, and staplers for personal nonbusiness use, rather than for commercial operations. Under the legislation, the Department of Revenue would maintain an online list of exempt items, and the tax relief would cover purchases made during the six-month window even if delivery occurs afterward.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, HB 2457, amends the state's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on tools purchased for home or auto repair. The change applies only during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026, and covers both handheld and stationary tools along with necessary accessories. To implement this, the Department of Revenue will publish online guidance, and the tax exemption applies to purchases made within the six-month period even if delivery occurs afterward.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a temporary tax exemption for the sale and use of flags, flag poles, and related accessories. The exclusion applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business purposes during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The law defines a purchaser as someone who places an order and pays by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the item is delivered later. The Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help the public understand how to claim this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to temporarily exempt the sales and use tax on cribs, crib mattresses, and strollers in Pennsylvania. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. Under the new rules, a sale is considered to occur when an individual places an order and pays for the item within that six-month window, even if delivery happens later. The Department of Revenue will issue online guidance to help businesses and consumers understand how to apply this temporary tax break.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a temporary sales tax exemption for exercise equipment purchased by individuals for personal use. The measure would allow buyers to avoid paying sales tax on items such as machines, tools, or wearable gear designed to improve physical strength or flexibility. This tax break applies only during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026, and covers purchases made within that period even if the equipment is delivered later. The Department of Revenue would be responsible for publishing online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 157) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 3023 (or similar legislation) during the 119th Congress, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and military members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk neck injection procedure that targets nerves controlling stress responses, potentially alleviating symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal. The resolution cites that 23% of recent veterans and 12-15% of older veterans have PTSD diagnoses, with current treatments helping only 40% of patients. It emphasizes SGB's decades-long use and support from veterans' organizations as a potential treatment option.

Maddy summaryHB 2442 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Department of Agriculture to issue temporary operating licenses to applicants seeking retail food facility permits. To qualify, applicants must prove they have submitted a complete public water system permit application and provide certified lab tests showing their water system meets federal standards. The temporary license remains valid only while the permit application is pending and automatically expires if the permit is issued, denied, or if the applicant fails to submit required compliance tests every six months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to provide temporary fuel price relief by reducing specific taxes on gasoline and fees for electric vehicle road users. For the first six months after it takes effect, the state will eliminate certain fuel taxes, and for the following six months, it will cut those fees by half. To ensure consumers benefit directly, the law requires fuel dealers to pass these savings on by lowering sale prices and prohibits them from keeping the tax reduction as extra profit. The Department of Revenue must estimate the resulting loss in state revenue, and the State Treasurer is then required to transfer that amount from a budget reserve fund to maintain highway maintenance financing.