Rep. Eddie Pashinski

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the lives of three Pennsylvania law enforcement officers - Detective Sergeant Cody Michael Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Edward Baker - who died in the line of duty on September 17, 2025. The bill formally extends condolences to their families and recognizes their individual contributions to public service, including Becker's heroism in saving a family from a house fire, Emenheiser's leadership and lifesaving awards, and Baker's pioneering work in forensic investigations. As a noncontroversial resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a legislative acknowledgment of their sacrifice and dedication to their communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and a trade career-incentive tax credit for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific skilled trade careers in higher education. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per academic year to students enrolled in approved courses such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress and have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania for 36 months in an in-demand occupation after completing their degree, with the scholarship amount prorated based on years of service and requiring repayment if they fail to meet these requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for business firms that hire graduates from these trade programs, though specific credit amounts and eligibility details are not fully detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 395 designates March 17, 2026, as "St. Patrick's Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of Irish Americans to the founding of the United States, including their roles in the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution is a symbolic gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to honor Irish American heritage and history.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's game laws to establish a formal process for issuing elk hunting licenses. It requires the Game Commission to hold a random drawing for elk license applications at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette Township. The legislation limits each person to submitting only one application per license year for elk hunting. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state regulations on cigarette sales and retailer licensing by adding new definitions for youth centers and recreational places. It establishes stricter requirements for new cigarette retailers starting January 1, 2027, prohibiting stores from opening within 500 feet of schools, day-care centers, youth centers, recreational facilities, or other licensed cigarette retailers. The law also clarifies rules for transferring cigarette vending machine licenses and maintains existing requirements for accurate tax reporting and compliance with state pricing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update definitions for the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program. It clarifies what counts as an "approved course of study" and "in-demand occupation" for scholarship recipients. The updated definitions include specific fields such as agriculture, computer science, nursing, and trades, while also requiring that occupations provide family-sustaining wages and high skill levels. These changes affect students using the scholarship program and the institutions offering eligible courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows secondary school students in Pennsylvania with cystic fibrosis or pancreatic insufficiency to carry and self-administer prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) at school. To qualify, students must provide a doctor's order, a parent's request, and written acknowledgments from both the school nurse and the student confirming they understand safety precautions. Schools may restrict self-administration if students fail to follow rules or safeguard the medication, but must then ensure the medication is stored in an accessible location with clear access instructions. The law also requires schools to adopt written policies outlining documentation processes, storage locations, and limits on daily supply quantities.

Maddy summaryHB 2253 requires Pennsylvania public high schools to hire school life support coaches to provide daily nonclinical emotional support to students. High-need schools (defined by factors like poverty rates, attendance issues, or dropout risk) must employ one coach for every 300 students, while other schools must have one for every 500 students. Coaches must hold specific educational qualifications (e.g., bachelor's degree with two years of experience), complete training in trauma-informed care and crisis response, and focus on mentorship and resource connection without providing therapy or diagnosis. The Department of Education will guide districts on equitable compensation, and coaches must refer students needing clinical services to licensed staff.

Maddy summaryHB 2248 designates May 20 as "Jimmy Stewart Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the late actor, who was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and starred in iconic films like *It's a Wonderful Life* and *Mr. Smith Goes to Washington*. The bill is purely commemorative, with no requirement for employers to grant paid leave or treat the day as a legal holiday. It includes legislative findings about Stewart's life, career, military service, and legacy, including his 1985 Presidential Medal of Freedom. The designation applies annually without imposing new obligations on individuals or organizations.