Rep. Milou Mackenzie

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 353 requires Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities (including community colleges, rural regional colleges, State System universities, state-related institutions, and Thaddeus Stevens College) to adopt written policies prohibiting antisemitism among faculty, staff, and students to receive state funding. These policies must include a clear definition of antisemitism - described as "a certain perception of Jewish individuals... including rhetorical or physical manifestations" - along with examples of antisemitic activity within their existing discrimination and harassment codes. The bill defines "public institution of higher education" to specify which schools must comply. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 310 proposes a constitutional amendment to end Pennsylvania school districts' authority to levy property taxes after June 30, 2029. It requires the state to fund school districts annually with amounts equal to their 2029 property tax revenue (minus debt service) through new state and local taxes on retail sales, income, and earned income. These new tax revenues would be deposited into a dedicated "Stabilization of Education Fund" exclusively for school support, prohibiting any future property taxes on school districts. The amendment would replace property tax reliance with a statewide funding mechanism for school district budgets.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs through a state-wide observance. The resolution highlights CTE's role in providing students with skills, credentials, and pathways to stable careers, noting that approximately 68,576 students (12% of high school grades) participated in CTE programs in 2024. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by raising public awareness of CTE's value to students, businesses, and the state's economy.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 19) commemorates Jim Thorpe, a Sac and Fox Nation member and Olympic champion, by designating May 28, 2025, as "Jim Thorpe Day" within the state. The resolution details Thorpe's legacy as a 1912 Olympic pentathlon and decathlon gold medalist (later reinstated), his foundational role in professional football, and his induction into the Football Hall of Fame. It has no policy impact or direct effect on individuals or groups, as it is a symbolic designation. The resolution serves solely to honor Thorpe's historical contributions and cultural significance.

Maddy summaryHB 219 amends Pennsylvania's realty transfer tax law to exclude transfers of real estate to members of the armed forces relocating for duty. The exclusion applies when the military member provides final orders showing they will be stationed in Pennsylvania or a contiguous state and intends to reside in the transferred single-family home as their primary residence. This means such property transfers will not incur the realty transfer tax, directly benefiting military personnel moving to Pennsylvania for service. The bill creates a clear, objective tax exemption for these specific relocation scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 230 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to update requirements for special "severely disabled veteran" license plates. It specifies that these plates must have a white background, blue text, the words "disabled veteran" in red, and the international access symbol, and can only be used on passenger vehicles, trucks under 14,000 pounds, or motorcycles (which get a matching decal). The bill adds that veterans receiving these plates can request a second identical plate or decal at no extra cost to display on the front of their vehicle. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 234 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to establish a fee structure for storm water management facilities, systems, and plans. Townships may charge reasonable, property-based fees that cannot exceed costs required by federal and state storm water regulations. The bill requires townships to offer exemptions or credits for properties with approved storm water facilities or for agricultural operations using USDA-approved best management practices. This change directly affects townships and property owners by creating a standardized approach to funding storm water infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 235 amends Pennsylvania law to allow municipal stormwater authorities to establish rates based on property characteristics, such as the installation and maintenance of approved stormwater management practices. The bill specifically permits authorities to set rates considering features like land use, while requiring practices to be approved and inspected by the authority. It also includes an exception for agricultural operations, allowing rates to be based on USDA or state-approved conservation practices. This change gives local governments more flexibility in funding stormwater management programs through targeted rate structures.

Maddy summaryHB 251 requires Pennsylvania's public institutions of higher education (including community colleges, state universities, and specific technical colleges) to report to the Department of Education before traveling to foreign nations for academic, cultural, or research activities. Institutions must submit detailed reports one year in advance, including costs, duration, funding sources, purpose, and benefits to Pennsylvania. The Department of Education will post these reports online for at least five years, making them publicly accessible. This bill does not alter funding or program requirements but mandates transparency around international partnerships involving student or staff travel.