Rep. Steve Samuelson

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth Independence Day" within the state to honor the anniversary of the final abolition of slavery in the United States. The measure formally recognizes the historical significance of June 1865, when Union troops announced freedom to enslaved people in Texas, and encourages residents to observe the day with ceremonies and educational programs. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create a paid state holiday or alter employment laws but serves to acknowledge the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and the resilience of African American descendants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to modernize how the state handles tax liens by introducing an electronic filing system and a centralized online repository. It directly affects the Department of Revenue, taxpayers, and creditors by requiring the department to post tax liabilities to a public website within seven days of a final assessment. The new system allows the department to maintain a searchable database of liens without needing to refile or revive them, while still requiring physical recording with county officials only when the state seeks to execute against specific property. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the priority of tax liens during judicial sales and establishes procedures for enforcing liens against out-of-state property.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires taxpayers with significant sales tax delinquencies or repeated failure to file returns to use an authorized third-party service provider for reporting and remitting taxes. It directly affects Pennsylvania businesses and individuals who owe more than $5,000 in delinquent sales tax or have three consecutive non-filed returns. The Department of Revenue would cover the service provider costs for the first year, after which the taxpayer pays, and could impose a $10,000 penalty for failing to enroll with an approved provider. The law takes effect 60 days after passage and allows taxpayers to continue using the service provider voluntarily after the mandatory period ends.

Maddy summaryHB 2189 amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to increase the state's minimum wage to $11 per hour starting January 1, 2027, $13 per hour on January 1, 2028, and $15 per hour on January 1, 2029. After 2029, the minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey- Delaware-Maryland area. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and workers covered under the Minimum Wage Act, including tipped employees who retain their tips. The changes apply to all non-exempt workers in the state, with no new exemptions or special rules added beyond the wage schedule and adjustment mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates the week of March 9 through 13, 2026, as "Civic Learning Week" throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of civic education. The measure is a symbolic recognition that does not create new laws, funding, or mandatory requirements for schools or government agencies. It acknowledges the role of civic education in preparing students for democratic participation and notes that Philadelphia will host a national forum on civic learning during that week. The resolution is introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Committee on Education for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1291 amends Pennsylvania's legal notices statute to clarify definitions and requirements for publishing legal notices. It updates terms like "advertisement" and "digital newspaper" to specify that legal notices must appear in newspapers of general circulation and prohibits unauthorized publications. The bill makes editorial changes to existing definitions without creating new requirements for publishers or government entities. This procedural update ensures consistency in how legal notices are published under current law.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include details about HB 1919's specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms. The bill's title mentions amending the Public School Code regarding "student-related injury leave," but no explanatory text or legislative text is included in the context. Without additional information on how this leave would function, who qualifies, or what changes would be made to the code, a substantive summary cannot be created. The referral to the Education committee indicates it relates to school policies, but concrete details are missing from the provided information.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill creates a limited tax credit program for manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages who make specific capital investments in their production facilities. Under the new rules, eligible companies can receive a tax credit for up to $200,000 in qualifying equipment purchases made during designated time periods, with the credit potentially usable over five years. The legislation also allows these tax credits to be sold to other taxpayers, who can then apply the credit against up to 50% of their own tax liability for that year. The Department of Revenue will oversee the program, including verifying taxpayer compliance before approving credit sales and setting guidelines for the process.

Maddy summaryHB 1752 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to conduct a feasibility study on alternatives to the Keystone Exams, which are standardized tests students must pass to graduate high school. The study will evaluate whether other assessment methods could replace the current exam system for graduation requirements. This bill does not change existing testing rules but mandates a review process to inform potential future policy decisions. The findings must be reported to the Pennsylvania legislature for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 28, 2026, as "World Hunger Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about food insecurity. It directly affects the state's residents, particularly the 1.7 million Pennsylvanians currently facing hunger, including over 475,000 children. The resolution encourages individuals and organizations to support efforts that expand access to nutritious food and promote understanding of the issue. The text highlights statistics on hunger in the state and nation while noting the impact of food deserts and recent changes to federal nutrition programs. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the challenge rather than implementing new policy changes.