Rep. Milou Mackenzie

Maddy summaryHB 999 proposes creating a commemorative bell monument on the State Capitol grounds to mark Pennsylvania's role in the U.S. founding and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation's creation. The bill directly affects the State Capitol landscape and honors Pennsylvania's historical contributions to the nation's founding. It is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or funding mechanisms, solely focused on designating a physical monument for public commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating August 7, 2025, as "Purple Heart Day" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state government and its citizens by encouraging official recognition of Purple Heart recipients on that date. The key provision is the formal designation of a specific date for commemoration, not a change to benefits or laws. It serves purely as an observance to honor military service members awarded the Purple Heart.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 amends fee structures under Pennsylvania's Conservation and Natural Resources Act, specifically adjusting fees and charges administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It directly affects users of state conservation programs, including park visitors, recreation permit holders, and businesses utilizing natural resource management services. The bill modifies existing fee schedules for specific conservation-related activities without creating new fees. This update aims to align fee levels with current operational costs for state conservation programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1835 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) to address the offense of sexual abuse of children. The bill directly affects minors who are victims of such abuse and the legal system prosecuting these cases. It updates the existing statute to clarify or strengthen legal definitions and procedures for handling child sexual abuse offenses. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1781 requires organizations receiving Pennsylvania state grants (like nonprofits or contractors) to verify the employment eligibility of new employees using the federal E-Verify system. It establishes a Commonwealth Grantee Employment Verification Account and mandates that grant recipients complete a specific verification form confirming their use of E-Verify before receiving grant funds. The bill imposes penalties for willful violations, such as failing to verify eligibility or providing false information, and prohibits discrimination during verification. This applies to all grantees, contractors, and subcontractors funded by state grants used for employee wages, directly affecting entities receiving public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 aligns Pennsylvania's tax credit program with a federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship organizations. It requires scholarship organizations in Pennsylvania to verify their tax-exempt status, maintain separate accounts for scholarship funds, provide scholarships to at least 10 students from different schools, spend 90% of income on scholarships, and verify applicants' household income to ensure eligibility. Organizations must submit compliance documentation by June 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, with the state department confirming their eligibility for the federal tax credit. This directly affects scholarship organizations seeking to participate in the federal tax credit program, ensuring they meet federal requirements to allow donors to claim tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's state constitution that explicitly prohibits denying or limiting rights based on sex. It would directly affect all Pennsylvanians by requiring the state to guarantee equal rights regardless of gender, strengthening legal protections against sex-based discrimination. The key mechanism is amending the constitution to include this explicit guarantee, making such discrimination unconstitutional. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 1723 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration laws to clarify which vehicles qualify for exemption from registration requirements. It directly affects vehicle owners who currently hold or may qualify for registration exemptions under the updated provisions. The bill's key mechanism is refining the statutory language defining exempt vehicle types within Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. This change aims to provide clearer guidance for both vehicle owners and state agencies administering registration rules. The bill is currently pending in the Transportation committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 requires school entities (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to follow specific processes for curriculum changes and increase public access to course materials. It mandates that school boards present proposed curriculum changes at a regular meeting and cannot approve them until the next meeting. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools must post online links to primary course resources, syllabi, and state standards within 30 business days of updates, without violating copyright laws. The bill applies to all public and private schools covered under Pennsylvania's Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1672 creates a $2,500 annual tax credit against individual income tax for active paid or volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers in Pennsylvania. It directly affects qualifying professionals working in fire or EMS roles as defined by state law, including career responders and volunteers. The credit reduces tax owed on wages earned, applies for up to three years (the year they become qualified plus the next two), and requires proof of eligibility to the Department of Revenue. The credit expires for new applicants after 2028 and ends entirely by December 31, 2031.