Rep. Craig Staats

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission is appointed, shifting the power from the commission itself to the Governor. Under the new rules, the Governor would select the director for a two-year term with the approval of the state Senate, while current or recent commission members would be ineligible for the role. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and are part of a broader legislative effort to reorganize and increase accountability within the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's hunting laws by creating a specific exception that allows unarmed individuals to enter posted or marked private property solely to retrieve a hunting dog. The exception does not apply if the land is fenced to exclude trespassers, designated as a biosecurity area, or if the person fails to contact the landowner before entering. Additionally, the legislation clarifies penalties for trespassing on private land while hunting or trapping and outlines rules for training dogs on small game.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "establishment" under Pennsylvania's human trafficking laws to include various venues such as hotels, motels, truck stops, and transportation hubs. It mandates that owners and managers of public lodging establishments provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees within 90 days of hiring or the bill's effective date, with specific content on identifying victims and reporting signs of exploitation. The legislation also requires these businesses to maintain records of employee training for two years and submit proposed training materials to the Department of Labor and Industry for approval. Additionally, the bill introduces enforcement mechanisms, including administrative and criminal penalties for violations, while allowing for affirmative defenses if an establishment can prove it took reasonable steps to prevent trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Higher Education Scholarship Law to allow the state to deny financial aid to students convicted of specific criminal offenses. It mandates the denial of all forms of assistance for students convicted of any felony, as well as specific misdemeanors involving moral turpitude. Additionally, the legislation requires aid denial for convictions related to ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal trespass at protected locations. These changes apply to all students seeking state-funded scholarships who have been found guilty of these crimes by a court of record.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to update the definition of child pornography by explicitly including artificially generated depictions of minors. It specifically targets images created using artificial intelligence or photo editing software that appear to show a child under 18 in prohibited sexual acts or in a sexually suggestive manner. The legislation clarifies that these digital creations are illegal even if no real child was physically involved in their production. This change directly affects individuals who possess, control, or view such manipulated visual materials. The law will take effect 60 days after it is signed into force.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called institutional trespass in Pennsylvania to specifically protect places like schools, churches, government buildings, and cemeteries. It makes it a third-degree felony for anyone who knowingly enters or stays in these locations with the intent to threaten people, start fires, damage property, or disrupt operations. The law applies to both the buildings themselves and the grounds surrounding them, as well as any personal property found inside. Once passed, the changes will take effect 60 days later.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution urges federal leaders to address improper payments of Critical Skill Incentives at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It highlights that the Office of Inspector General found nearly $11 million was incorrectly used to give bonuses to over 180 senior executives instead of supporting employees with high-demand skills. The document calls for swift corrective action to recover these funds and improve oversight to prevent future misuse of taxpayer money.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in York County as the Private Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge to honor a local World War II veteran. The legislation officially names the structure after Private Stambaugh, who served in the U.S. Army and died during the D-Day invasion in 1944. It requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum from exercising any jurisdiction or authority within Pennsylvania. It explicitly bans state and local government agencies from enforcing, implementing, or complying with any rules, regulations, fees, taxes, or mandates issued by these three international groups. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.