Rep. Jim Prokopiak

Maddy summaryHB 846 amends Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act to clarify job definitions, specify how prevailing wages are calculated for public construction projects, and detail the Labor Secretary's responsibilities. It directly affects construction workers, contractors, and state agencies managing public works by updating administrative processes. The bill makes technical changes to implementation without altering the core requirement that public projects pay local standard wages. These updates aim to improve consistency in applying the existing law across state-funded projects.

Maddy summaryHB 704 creates a new Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program and a dedicated funding mechanism within the Department of Health to support research on conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The bill directs the Department of Health to manage the program and administer the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Program Fund, which will provide grants for scientific studies. This legislation directly affects researchers, medical institutions, and patients seeking treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by establishing a formal structure for funding and coordinating research efforts. The bill passed the legislature in June 2025 and is now pending final action by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1250 amends Pennsylvania's Manufactured Home Community Rights Act to protect residents in manufactured home communities. It requires community owners to allow resident associations and group meetings, and mandates 90-day advance notice for rent increases. The bill caps annual rent hikes at 2-4% (based on regional inflation data), prohibits increases during unresolved health/safety violations, and requires clear disclosure of all fees in leases. These changes directly affect approximately 150,000 manufactured home residents and community owners across Pennsylvania, aiming to prevent exploitative rent practices and stabilize housing costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1618 would update the Liquor Code to create a new permit type for restaurant satellite locations. This allows restaurants to operate multiple physical locations (like separate dining rooms or adjacent buildings) under a single liquor license, rather than requiring separate permits for each site. The bill directly affects restaurants seeking to expand their physical footprint without duplicating liquor licensing processes. It would streamline operations for restaurant chains and multi-location establishments by providing a standardized permit pathway.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 is a comprehensive bill that updates Pennsylvania's laws governing constables, townships, police officers, and related roles. It replaces outdated rules with new requirements for constable uniforms, bonds, debt collection, and conflict-of-interest restrictions, while repealing obsolete provisions like those for forest law arrests and impounding fees. The bill directly affects local law enforcement officials, townships, and bail bond agents by restructuring their legal duties and compensation rules. It also creates county constabulary review boards and assigns oversight duties to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The bill was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.

Maddy summaryHB 1500 establishes a Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council to develop recommendations on funding, governance, and accountability for cyber charter schools by April 2026. The bill requires public school entities to report advertising and sponsorship spending annually, and mandates detailed cost-tracking for special education services based on individualized student plans. It also adds provisions for student wellness checks, enrollment notifications, and fund balance limits for cyber charter schools, while maintaining a moratorium on new cyber charter school approvals. The law directly affects cyber charter schools, public school districts, and students with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1559, titled the "Employee Right to Privacy Act," requires Pennsylvania employers to provide written notice to employees (including independent contractors) about electronic monitoring, such as tracking computer use or phone calls, by posting a visible notice before implementing it. Exceptions allow monitoring without notice if an employer reasonably suspects an employee of misconduct that violates law, workplace rights, or creates a hostile environment. Violating this notice requirement incurs fines: $500 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent violations. The bill aims to ensure transparency in workplace monitoring while balancing employer needs for safety and legal compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill's title indicates it would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish liability for deploying artificial intelligence systems, but the provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions, definitions, or affected parties (e.g., developers, businesses, or users). Without the full text or detailed description of the liability framework (e.g., negligence standards, specific AI applications covered), key mechanisms cannot be described. The referral to the Judiciary committee on May 30, 2025, shows its current status but does not clarify the policy changes. A complete summary requires additional details beyond the title and referral date.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 establishes Pennsylvania's Keystone Saves Program, creating a state-run savings initiative for low-to-moderate income residents. The bill sets up a dedicated program fund and administrative fund managed by the Treasury Department, which will handle investments while adhering to fiduciary responsibilities. An advisory board will oversee program implementation and ensure it meets the needs of participants. This program directly affects eligible Pennsylvanians by providing a structured savings option, with the Treasury Department responsible for managing funds and investments.

Maddy summaryHB 504, the Community Energy Act, establishes a framework for third-party-owned community energy projects (like solar gardens) in Pennsylvania. It requires electric distribution companies to connect these facilities, provides bill credits to subscribers (homeowners, renters, and businesses) for energy generated, and ensures guaranteed savings by linking subscription payments to bill reductions. Key provisions include setting size limits (max 5,000 kW for most facilities), mandating that at least 50% of subscriptions come from small users or farms, and requiring fair wages for construction workers. The bill directly affects electric companies (with new connection duties), community energy organizations (as owners/operators), and subscribers (who gain access to shared renewable energy).