Rep. Mark Gillen

Maddy summaryHB 575 creates new protections for military service members and veterans seeking professional licenses in Pennsylvania. It ensures that individuals holding licenses in fields like healthcare, education, or trades retain their licenses during military service without losing eligibility or facing continuing education requirements. After discharge, veterans can renew licenses within one year by paying only the current renewal fee, without making up for missed requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Education to establish a policy for awarding academic credit at Pennsylvania colleges for military training, helping veterans apply their service experience toward college credits.

Maddy summaryHB 944 allows water and wastewater utilities acquiring other systems to include fees paid to valuation experts in their acquisition costs, with a cap of 5% of the selling utility's fair market value. Utilities must submit detailed documentation of hourly rates to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for approval before paying these fees. The bill directly affects acquiring utilities, valuation experts, and the commission overseeing these transactions. It sets clear limits and approval steps to ensure fees are reasonable and transparent during system acquisitions.

Maddy summaryHB 893 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle insurance law to prohibit insurers from charging widowed individuals higher rates for private passenger vehicles based on marital status. The bill specifically requires that widowed persons be treated equally to married individuals when establishing or maintaining insurance rates for personal vehicles. This change applies to all policies written, delivered, or renewed after the law takes effect. The measure directly affects widowed drivers who purchase or renew auto insurance in Pennsylvania, ensuring they are not penalized financially for their marital status. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 898 requires Pennsylvania gas stations to display clear, standardized labels on fuel dispensers showing the exact federal and state taxes for both gasoline and diesel fuel. The labels must list individual taxes (federal gasoline tax, state gasoline tax, federal diesel tax, state diesel tax) and their combined totals in a consistent location. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will design these labels, update them within 60 days of any tax rate changes, and cover all costs for retailers - no fees for initial or replacement labels. This bill directly affects fuel retailers and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to increase transparency about tax costs for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude sales and use taxes on firefighting equipment purchased by paid or volunteer firefighters using their own money. To qualify for this tax exemption, firefighters must present a department-issued identification card at the time of purchase, which the Department of Revenue will issue to individuals holding approved certifications. The legislation defines firefighting equipment as items designed to extinguish, control, or stop fires or protect users and property from fire hazards. This change directly affects individual firefighters and retailers selling firefighting gear, while establishing new administrative procedures for identification card issuance.

Maddy summaryHB 869 exempts nonpublic schools and home education programs in Pennsylvania from state emergency orders during disaster declarations, such as those issued by the Governor or the Secretary of Health under Pennsylvania law. This applies to institutions like church schools, home school groups, nonprofit schools, and one-room schools that meet legal requirements for educating students. The bill adds this exemption to the Public School Code of 1949, meaning these schools would not be required to close or follow specific health directives during declared emergencies. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania counties to develop and update storm water management plans for every watershed within their borders. Counties must create these plans within two years of the environmental department issuing guidelines and review and revise them at least every five years. Municipalities without public water or sewer systems are exempt from participating in the plans. The bill specifies deadlines and regular review intervals for existing county plans under the Storm Water Management Act.

Maddy summaryHB 867 creates a $2,000 state tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who experience a stillbirth after 16 weeks of gestation, defined as a product of conception expelled with no signs of life. The credit applies to the taxpayer's annual state tax liability and requires submission of a Department of Health certificate of fetal death or stillbirth with the tax return. Eligibility is limited to the taxable year of the stillbirth and requires the child to qualify as a "dependent" under federal tax law (26 U.S.C. § 152). Taxpayers may receive a refund for any unused credit amount exceeding their state tax liability. This credit directly affects Pennsylvania residents who have experienced a stillbirth meeting the defined criteria.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 109) urges the U.S. Congress to establish "Patriots' Day" as a federal holiday. It specifically references the historical significance of the April 19, 1775, battles at Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy (now Arlington) as the start of the American Revolution. The resolution notes that several states (including Massachusetts since 1894, Maine since 1907, and Connecticut since 2018) already observe Patriots' Day on the third Monday in April. As a resolution, it does not create the holiday itself but formally requests Congress take action.

Maddy summaryHB 857 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs. It requires the state to pay ambulance providers the higher of either Medicare's 2023 rates or current Medicaid ambulance fees (as updated in 2023) for services provided to Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2024. For services where patients declined transport, new rates based on 2025 Medicare data or updated Medicaid fees will apply beginning July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed emergency medical services agencies that provide ambulance transport to Medicaid beneficiaries.