Rep. Jamie Barton

Maddy summaryHB 864 repeals Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program regulations (25 Pa. Code Ch. 126 Subch. D), which governed state-level requirements for electric and low-emission vehicles. This directly affects automakers, dealers, and consumers participating in Pennsylvania's clean vehicle initiatives. The bill removes specific regulatory requirements without establishing new rules, effective 60 days after enactment. It is a procedural change eliminating existing code provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 633 designates Bridge Key 8387, carrying Pennsylvania Route 53 over Patty's Run in Gallitzin Township, Cambria County, as the "USMCR Mary A. Lidwell Memorial Bridge." The bill honors Mary A. Lidwell, a former U.S. Marine Corps Women's Aviation Reserve Squadron member during WWII who later served her community in Ashville Borough. The Department of Transportation must install and maintain signs displaying the new name on the bridge. This is a commemorative act with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 656 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy in public schools who have been prescribed such medication, requiring parental request and adherence to approved training guidelines. The bill establishes that non-nurse staff may provide emergency assistance only after completing designated training and following protocols approved by the Department of Education. It specifies that nasal spray or similar FDA-approved treatments may be used, while ensuring students' rights under disability laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act are upheld. The policy change is voluntary for staff and requires schools to notify parents about potential accommodations under 504 plans or IEPs.

Maddy summaryHB 515, the Household Appliance Freedom Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state agencies and local municipalities from banning or restricting the sale, installation, or use of natural gas-powered home heating equipment, appliances, outdoor grills and stoves, and outdoor natural gas torches or lamps. The law allows individuals affected by such restrictions to file a civil lawsuit within 180 days seeking an injunction or damages. It becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 437 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's voting rules, requiring voters to present valid identification at all elections. It mandates that voters show a government-issued ID when voting in person (Section 12) and include proof of ID with mail-in ballots (Section 16). Voters without ID can request a free government-issued ID at the polling place (Section 19). This amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania voters participating in elections, adding ID verification to existing residency and citizenship requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 452 removes disciplinary actions and refunds penalties for retail food facilities that were penalized for not following specific COVID-19 health protocols during Pennsylvania's state of emergency (March 6, 2020, to when the emergency ended). It covers violations related to the Disease Prevention and Control Law, Governor's orders, and health department guidance about the novel coronavirus. The bill requires health authorities to erase these records from official files and refund any penalties paid during the emergency period. This applies only to violations tied to the pandemic response, not general health code compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 450 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to remove disciplinary actions against liquor licensees who had their licenses suspended or revoked for not following pandemic-related health protocols during the state's emergency period (March 2020 to when the emergency ended). The bill requires the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to automatically reinstate licenses or remove penalties for non-compliance with Governor's orders, health department directives, or official guidance specifically related to COVID-19. This applies only to actions taken during the declared disaster emergency, not for ongoing violations. The policy directly affects bars, restaurants, and other businesses holding liquor licenses that faced penalties during the pandemic.

Maddy summaryHB 398 amends Pennsylvania's transportation law to regulate the use of state-owned aircraft by Commonwealth agencies and the General Assembly. It requires officials to sign a declaration confirming flights are for exclusive official business (prohibiting political activities or sporting events), bans lobbyists from using these aircraft, and mandates a publicly accessible monthly flight log detailing trip purposes, event names, sponsors, and attendees. All costs for aircraft use must be paid into a special Aviation Restricted Account. The bill also restricts out-of-state flights to emergencies, as verified by the emergency management agency.

Maddy summaryHB 277 allows victims of sex trafficking to sue individuals or entities that recruit, profit from, or advertise for sex trade activities. The bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a civil legal pathway for victims to seek remedies in court, specifically targeting those who recruit victims, maintain them in sex trade acts, or cause bodily harm during such acts. It directly affects victims of sex trafficking and those who exploit them through recruitment, advertising, or financial gain. The law does not change criminal penalties but adds a civil remedy for victims to pursue compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 182 designates Bridge Key 8377 on Pennsylvania Route 53 over Bear Rock Run in Lilly Borough, Cambria County, as the Corporal James D. Sloan Memorial Bridge. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs on the bridge, based on the General Assembly's findings that Corporal James D. Sloan, a Marine Corps veteran who died by suicide in 1971 due to post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Vietnam War, received multiple military medals including the Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal. This is a naming resolution with no direct policy changes or affected populations beyond the bridge signage.