Rep. Jim Prokopiak

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of road safety for all drivers. The resolution encourages motorists to be more alert when sharing the road with motorcyclists and supports existing safety programs. It does not change any laws or regulations but serves as a symbolic reminder to promote awareness and safe riding practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly define "dynamic pricing" as a potential unfair practice. It specifically targets the use of artificial intelligence to vary prices for essential goods or services within a 24-hour period based on demand. The legislation includes detailed definitions for artificial intelligence, generative AI, and bona fide pricing to clarify what constitutes deceptive behavior versus legitimate pricing strategies. By adding these specific terms to the law, the bill aims to provide clearer guidance for regulators and businesses regarding AI-driven price fluctuations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-funded paid family and medical leave program for eligible workers needing time off for health issues, childbirth, or family care. It establishes a dedicated state fund to cover leave costs, creates an advisory board to guide implementation, and assigns oversight to the Department of Labor. The program would directly affect employees in the state who qualify for these leave types, requiring employers to provide the benefits. The bill also specifies penalties for businesses failing to comply with the new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1834 requires commercial data centers in Pennsylvania to pay fees to the state. These fees fund a new Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund, which boosts assistance for low-income households struggling with energy costs. The bill also mandates that data centers meet specific renewable energy targets and allows them to recover certain operational costs through regulated rates. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Department of Human Services are tasked with implementing these requirements and managing the fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update the legal definitions and scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). It allows CRNAs to perform anesthesia services under the overall direction of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist who is present and available onsite during the procedure. The legislation grants CRNAs expanded authority to prescribe and administer certain medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and manage patient care throughout the anesthesia process, including preoperative preparation, induction, maintenance, and post-anesthesia care. These changes formalize the professional responsibilities of CRNAs within the state's nursing regulatory framework without altering the requirement for collaborative oversight by licensed medical professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 strengthens railroad safety in Pennsylvania by prohibiting railroads from blocking highway crossings for more than five minutes (with $10,000 penalties), limiting freight train lengths to 8,500 feet, and requiring two-person crews for freight trains (with limited exceptions for smaller railroads). The bill authorizes union representatives to monitor safety practices and operations, mandates functional wayside detector systems on higher-risk tracks, and creates a reporting system for hazardous materials transportation. It directly affects all railroads operating in Pennsylvania, including their safety protocols, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance. Penalties for violations range from $1,000 to $25,000 for crew-related breaches, with enforcement handled by the Public Utility Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's military educational assistance program by clarifying eligibility requirements and service obligations for National Guard and reserve component members. It establishes that eligible members must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay grant funds if they fail to complete their required service commitment, which ranges from six years for National Guard members to eight years for federal reserve members. The legislation also allows for successive grant certificates upon completing initial obligations and permits members who receive other-than-dishonorable discharges to retain a proportional share of earned benefits if they meet specific conditions. These changes apply to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces seeking educational assistance through the state program.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill, known as the Ghost Job Postings Prevention Act, requires employers with 50 or more employees to include specific details in public job postings and prohibits keeping filled positions open indefinitely. Key provisions mandate that job ads disclose whether the role is existing or anticipated, provide salary ranges and funding status, state how long the posting will remain active, and inform applicants about AI use in hiring decisions. Employers must also remove filled job postings within two weeks, notify job boards of closures, and send status updates to applicants within set timeframes after interviews. Violations could result in fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, with higher penalties up to $25,000 per applicant for data mining or selling applicant information.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and a trade career-incentive tax credit for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific skilled trade careers in higher education. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per academic year to students enrolled in approved courses such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress and have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania for 36 months in an in-demand occupation after completing their degree, with the scholarship amount prorated based on years of service and requiring repayment if they fail to meet these requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for business firms that hire graduates from these trade programs, though specific credit amounts and eligibility details are not fully detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update definitions and clarify requirements for renewable energy compliance. It specifically adds "advanced reactor" (including small modular reactors) to eligible energy sources, refines criteria for low-impact hydropower, and updates definitions for biomass, biogas, and alternative energy credits. The bill affects electric utilities required to meet portfolio standards by specifying which energy sources count toward compliance and how credits are calculated. These changes aim to modernize the framework for renewable energy reporting and incentives without altering current percentage targets. The bill is currently in committee review (Environmental & Natural Resource Protection).