Rep. Jim Prokopiak

Maddy summaryHB 833 proposes a constitutional amendment to add a 4% tax on Pennsylvania residents with annual taxable income exceeding $1 million. This tax would apply only to income above the $1 million threshold, directly affecting high-income earners in the state. The amendment includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the income threshold, aligning it with federal tax bracket methodology. This is a policy change to the state constitution, not an immediate law, requiring approval through the constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryHB 844 creates Pennsylvania's Housing Construction Loan Program and a dedicated Housing Construction Loan Fund under the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The program provides loans to eligible builders (those operating in Pennsylvania for at least three years) for constructing new homes sold to low- and moderate-income households, and to those households for financing such homes. Key provisions limit loans to 80% of a county’s median home price, cap terms at 15 years, and require all sales to remain affordable to target households. Funds for the program come from state appropriations, grants, and loan repayments, managed through the State Treasury.

Maddy summaryHB 821 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to require the Department of Human Services to add assisted living services and supplemental health care services to the Community HealthChoices Medicaid program within 60 days. This change directly affects licensed assisted living residences, allowing them to become certified as medical assistance providers for these services. The bill mandates that the department submit necessary documentation to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the expansion. The policy change will enable these facilities to participate in the state's Medicaid program for covered services. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 656 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow trained school staff to administer emergency anti-seizure medication during seizures when a nurse is unavailable. It directly affects students with epilepsy in public schools who have been prescribed such medication, requiring parental request and adherence to approved training guidelines. The bill establishes that non-nurse staff may provide emergency assistance only after completing designated training and following protocols approved by the Department of Education. It specifies that nasal spray or similar FDA-approved treatments may be used, while ensuring students' rights under disability laws like IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act are upheld. The policy change is voluntary for staff and requires schools to notify parents about potential accommodations under 504 plans or IEPs.

Maddy summaryHB 573 amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to require that all security deposits, including pet deposits, be fully refundable at the end of a lease. The bill prohibits landlords from including any lease provision labeling these deposits as nonrefundable. This directly affects residential landlords and tenants by ensuring deposits must be returned unless deductions are made for legitimate damages beyond normal wear and tear. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 529 establishes a program allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to create "Smart Growth Zoning Districts" in areas with good transit access or existing development (like downtowns or near transit stations). It creates a "Smart Growth Zoning District Fund" that pays municipalities a one-time "density bonus payment" for each new housing unit built in these districts, specifically targeting "attainable housing" for residents earning up to 120% of the area's median income. Municipalities must submit detailed housing plans showing how they will meet local housing needs through these districts. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and residents seeking affordable housing options in designated zones.

Maddy summaryHB 524 requires new child-care centers (those starting operations after the law takes effect) that care for seven or more children who are not relatives of the provider to install and maintain video camera surveillance systems meeting Department of Human Services standards. The Department of Human Services will create specific rules for the camera systems and may inspect centers to ensure compliance. This law applies only to newly established centers, not existing ones, and takes effect 60 days after enactment. It directly affects new child-care providers operating larger facilities, mandating camera systems for oversight while defining the department's regulatory role.

Maddy summaryHB 371 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax exemptions, deductions, or credits. It directly affects businesses operating within designated Keystone zones that make capital investments exceeding $25,000 for construction, reconstruction, or facility repairs. The key provision mandates that 70% of workers on such projects must be "skilled craft laborers" (defined as those with relevant training or apprenticeship completion), and all workers must receive the state-mandated prevailing wage rate. Businesses must verify these requirements annually through the Department of Labor and Industry, enforcing existing Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act standards for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryHB 288 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to add new requirements for construction tax credits, affecting taxpayers making capital expenditures over $25,000 for facility construction or renovation. To qualify for these credits, taxpayers must verify good-faith local hiring efforts and confirm that all workers on the project are paid the prevailing wage rate under Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act. The Department of Labor and Industry will enforce these rules, requiring pre-construction wage rate determinations and compliance with prevailing wage standards for all new construction jobs. Violations of these requirements could trigger a 10% refund of the awarded tax credit.

Maddy summaryHB 303 amends Pennsylvania's sales tax code to exclude construction materials and services purchased by contractors for affordable housing projects from state sales tax. It directly affects construction contractors working on housing defined as "affordable" under existing law (section 1902-A), covering projects involving construction, remodeling, repair, or maintenance. The bill adds a new tax exclusion (section 204(77)) to the 1971 Tax Reform Code, removing sales tax liability for these specific materials and services. This policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment.