Rep. Steve Samuelson

Maddy summaryHB 325 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how school districts must present tax relief information to property owners. It adds a definition of "conspicuous" requiring notices to use larger text, contrasting colors, or special formatting that a reasonable person would notice. The bill mandates that school districts include a specific, conspicuous notice with tax bills for homestead and farmstead property owners, explaining that their tax reduction comes from casino gaming revenue (State Gaming Fund) under state law, not from the school district's actions. This affects all Pennsylvania property owners eligible for homestead/farmstead exclusions and the school districts that issue their tax bills, effective for taxable years after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 50) symbolically designates March 25, 2025, as "Greek Independence Day" within the state. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The resolution honors Greek heritage and historical ties between Greece and the U.S., referencing Greek-American contributions to Pennsylvania's culture and history. As a commemorative gesture, it has no binding effect or practical impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1046 establishes the Pennsylvania Poet Laureate position and a nomination committee to select the appointee. The Governor appoints the Poet Laureate from a shortlist of three nominees provided by the committee (which includes education, arts, and humanities representatives), with the Laureate serving a two-year term and performing ceremonial duties like reading poems at the Governor's inauguration and legislative sessions, all without pay but with travel expenses reimbursed. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents by creating a state position to promote poetry and literary arts through official events.

Maddy summaryHB 109 creates a new permit review process for specific industrial facilities in Pennsylvania's designated "environmental justice areas" - communities with high pollution burdens and vulnerable populations (low-income, communities of color). It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to consider cumulative environmental and public health impacts when reviewing permits for facilities like large wastewater plants (50,000+ gal/day), major air polluters, waste sites (25+ tons/month), mining operations, and certain landfills. The bill mandates that permits in these areas must address disproportionate environmental impacts, as defined by demographic, economic, health, and environmental data. This directly affects developers and operators of industrial facilities seeking new or expanded permits in designated communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 requires insurance companies to directly reimburse non-network emergency medical services (EMS) agencies for 911 emergency calls within 45 days at 350% of the Medicare ambulance rate for the same service in the same area. EMS agencies must register with the state annually to qualify for direct payments, and insurers cannot demand contracts to facilitate this reimbursement. The insurer's payment covers the full service cost (excluding the patient's copay, coinsurance, or deductible), so EMS agencies cannot bill patients for the remaining amount. This law applies only to non-network EMS providers offering 911 emergency medical services, unless preempted by federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 raises Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual increases thereafter. It also establishes a phased timeline for tipped employees: requiring higher base cash wages starting in 2025 (e.g., $5.00/hour after June 2025) and mandating that by July 1, 2029, employers must pay the full minimum wage without relying on tips. The bill ensures all tips received by employees remain their property and cannot be used by employers to meet minimum wage requirements. This directly affects most private-sector employers and tipped workers in Pennsylvania, particularly in hospitality and service industries.

Maddy summaryHB 1097 creates a new minor criminal offense in Pennsylvania for organizing or operating events where live pigeons are used as targets for shooting contests, either for amusement or skill testing. This applies to anyone who willfully runs such events at a designated location, including using mechanical aids to present pigeons to shooters. The bill explicitly excludes legal hunting under state game laws, dog training activities, or permitted special events. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 150 is a Pennsylvania House resolution designating April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to highlight the disproportionate maternal health disparities affecting Black women and birthing persons in the state. It references Pennsylvania data showing Black women face maternal mortality rates twice as high as White women (148 vs. 74 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020) and higher morbidity rates. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about preventable maternal health outcomes. It specifically targets state-level attention to this crisis, citing local statistics from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but seeks to spur broader discussion and action.

Maddy summaryHR 44 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 2025 as "National Social Work Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the social work profession's contributions to public well-being. The resolution highlights social workers' roles in supporting vulnerable populations, crisis response, mental health care, and community development, citing their growing numbers and impact. It urges Pennsylvanians to join the National Association of Social Workers in celebrating the profession during this month. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct policy or financial effect on residents or social workers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Women's History Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a ceremonial measure with no binding policy changes, funding, or new programs. The resolution invites all Pennsylvanians to reflect on women's contributions to the state's and nation's economic, cultural, and social development. It does not affect specific groups or create legal obligations, as it is purely symbolic recognition.