Rep. Tim Twardzik

Maddy summaryHB 1444 creates new regulations for association health plans (AHPs) under Pennsylvania's insurance code. It defines key terms like "association" (groups of employers in the same industry or profession) and sets requirements for coverage, rates, and insurer filings. The bill directly affects employers forming AHPs, health insurers offering these plans, and individuals enrolled in them. It adds enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance, while repealing outdated sections of the insurance code.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 repeals Pennsylvania's 1937 Store and Theatre Tax Act, which required stores and theatres to pay an annual license fee to operate. The repealed law imposed a minimal tax (ranging from $1 for the first location to $200 for additional locations beyond 15) based on the number of businesses operated. This bill eliminates the requirement for businesses to pay this outdated tax and obtain a specific license under the 1937 law. The repeal directly affects store and theatre owners who were subject to this obsolete tax, which has been in place for over 80 years with no modern relevance.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 amends Pennsylvania's corporate income tax rates under the 1971 Tax Reform Code. It lowers the annual corporate tax rate for taxable years starting in 2026 (from 7.49% to 6.99%), 2027 (from 6.99% to 5.99%), and 2028 onward (from 6.49% to 4.99%). This directly affects corporations operating in Pennsylvania that pay state corporate income tax. The bill makes these rate changes effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 proposes to repeal the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania, directly affecting estates and beneficiaries who would no longer be subject to this tax on inherited assets. The bill also modifies procedures for taxpayers to petition for a reassessment of taxes. Additionally, it updates existing provisions related to how government-issued obligations are treated for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows land banks to acquire blighted or abandoned properties under specific conditions. Municipalities must verify properties have been vacant/blighted for 5 years (with exceptions for unimproved land), have building code violations or tax delinquency, and send three certified mail notices to owners. Property owners can appeal by submitting a redevelopment plan with financing, architectural details, or developer contracts; if approved, they get 6-month extensions but must meet redevelopment timelines. Land banks must pay owners the property's appraised value minus fines or liens, directly affecting land banks, municipalities, and owners of distressed properties.

Maddy summaryHB 643 modifies Pennsylvania's realty transfer tax provisions to establish fixed annual transfers of tax revenue. It requires $100 million in transfers for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2027, and $110 million for all subsequent fiscal years. This change directly affects individuals and entities paying real estate transfer taxes in Pennsylvania, as the specified amounts are deducted from the tax revenue pool. The bill specifies the exact dollar amounts and effective dates without altering the tax rate or adding new exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement that taxpayers make payments of $15,000 or more electronically for personal income tax, along with related penalties for non-compliance. It replaces these rules by adding a new provision requiring the Department of Revenue to accept all payment methods without penalties for taxpayers. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses paying Pennsylvania personal income tax, removing a specific electronic payment mandate and associated fines. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, making all payment methods equally acceptable without penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 creates a system for Pennsylvania municipalities to register vacant and blighted properties and impose annual fees on owners who fail to bring properties into compliance with municipal codes. Properties remain on the registry until owners fix issues or sell to compliant buyers, with fees starting at $500 in year one and rising to $5,000 after nine years. Exemptions include properties under active renovation (within 12 months of a permit), those actively marketed for sale/rent (with time limits), and government-owned properties. This directly affects property owners in municipalities that adopt the registration program, requiring them to pay escalating fees if properties remain unaddressed.

Maddy summaryHB 1164 authorizes Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to propose a carbon dioxide emissions tax or fee after following a strict public process. It requires the DEP to hold 180 days of public comment, conduct four public hearings across the state, and submit detailed reports to lawmakers on economic impacts, facility-level emissions, and electricity price effects before any such tax can be considered. The bill directly affects electric generation facilities (like power plants) and electricity consumers by mandating transparency and analysis of how a carbon tax would impact costs and operations. Crucially, it does not impose a tax itself but creates the procedural framework for future legislative action on carbon emissions regulation.

Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (not a bill), urging Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) leadership to be transparent about any potential closure of its 12 Commonwealth campuses. It asks the university president to publicly share criteria for closures, demonstrate alignment with Penn State’s land-grant mission, and detail plans to maintain educational access for affected students and communities. The resolution emphasizes that campus closures would disproportionately impact rural and underserved areas, reduce local economic activity, and undermine public trust. It does not create new laws or funding but formally requests Penn State to engage communities and provide clear, open communication before making closure decisions.