Rep. Joe Hogan

Maddy summaryHB 2000 designates a specific section of highway in Pennsylvania as the "Pennsylvania and National Medal of Honor Highway" to honor Medal of Honor recipients. It directly affects the highway corridor by renaming it, replacing a previous designation. The bill's key provision is the repeal of the prior highway name, formally establishing this new commemorative name through legislative action. This is a ceremonial measure with no funding or policy changes beyond the highway's official designation.

Maddy summaryHB 1406 would amend Pennsylvania's theft laws by changing how theft offenses are classified by severity (grading). It directly affects individuals convicted of theft crimes, as it would alter the legal categories used to determine penalties. The bill's key mechanism involves revising specific sections of the state's criminal code to adjust the grading system for theft offenses. This change would impact sentencing outcomes for theft cases but does not introduce new penalties or expand the scope of theft crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1971 amends Pennsylvania's public utilities law to restructure the electric utility industry and establish a legal framework for portable solar generation systems. The bill would directly affect electric utility companies and consumers who use or wish to install portable solar systems, including residential and small commercial users. Key provisions involve updating definitions within the public utilities code and creating new regulatory pathways for portable solar systems, though specific implementation details are not provided in the context. Without the full bill text, the exact mechanisms of the restructuring or solar system regulations cannot be detailed.

Maddy summaryHB 1933 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require certain professionals (like animal control officers or veterinarians) to report suspected severe animal abuse as part of their existing duties. The bill specifically adds "aggravated cruelty to animals" to the list of offenses that must be reported, similar to how other serious crimes are handled. This change directly affects those who work with animals and have legal obligations to report abuse, making the reporting requirement more explicit for this specific violation. The bill is currently pending in committee after being referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the existing offense of "sexual intercourse with animal" from Pennsylvania law and replaces it with new provisions defining "sexual crimes against animals" and "aggravated cruelty to animals" (severe animal cruelty). It also explicitly exempts normal agricultural operations from these new provisions. The changes would affect how certain animal-related offenses are prosecuted in court, but not farmers or standard farming practices. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThe bill title contains a factual inconsistency: Pennsylvania's criminal code (Title 18) does not govern animal welfare practices like declawing. Declawing prohibitions are typically addressed in animal welfare statutes (e.g., Title 34), not criminal offenses. The title incorrectly lists "prohibition on declawing cats" under a criminal code amendment, which would be legally inaccurate. Therefore, a meaningful summary of the bill's actual provisions cannot be provided based on this erroneous title description.

Maddy summaryHB 1930 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to clarify and strengthen the offense of "aggravated cruelty to animal" within existing riot and disorderly conduct statutes. It directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and individuals who commit severe animal cruelty, by defining specific acts that constitute this offense. The key mechanism updates the legal definition within Title 18 to ensure consistent prosecution of cases involving extreme harm to animals, without changing penalty structures. This focuses on improving legal clarity for prosecuting severe animal cruelty incidents under broader criminal disorder provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 would create a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for "swatting," defined as making a false emergency report to law enforcement to provoke a high-risk police response (like sending a SWAT team) at a victim's location. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally submit false reports for the purpose of causing fear, harm, or disruption to others. It amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code (Title 18) to specifically address swatting under the section on falsification and intimidation. This would provide a clear legal standard for prosecuting such acts, which currently may not be adequately covered under existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 281 is a procedural resolution that forces the House Committee on Education to stop considering Senate Bill 9. It discharges the committee after 15 legislative days (since May 7, 2025) passed without the committee reporting the bill to the full House. This resolution does not change the content of Senate Bill 9; it only allows the full House to vote on the bill directly. The resolution itself is purely procedural and does not affect any policy or specific group of people.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating July 2025 as "Disability Pride Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or requirements but formally recognizes the month to honor the history and achievements of the disability community and commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The resolution aims to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity by highlighting the contributions of Pennsylvanians with disabilities, as noted in the bill's references to statewide disability statistics. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect beyond official recognition and does not directly impact specific groups or services.