Rep. Craig Staats

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecommunications companies to promptly repair damaged lines or remove tree limbs that interfere with road safety after being notified by local governments or state agencies. The law prohibits carriers from passing these repair costs onto customers who do not use the specific infrastructure that caused the issue. Violations of these requirements could result in penalties enforced by the state commission, and the commission will create rules to ensure proper implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Altoona, Pennsylvania, as the Vietnam War Veteran Sgt. Calvin G. Maguire Memorial Bridge. The legislation formally names the structure, which carries State Route 4013 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad and 8th Avenue, to honor Sgt. Maguire, a local resident who was killed in action during his service in Vietnam. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act will take effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's existing tax credit programs for private school scholarships by increasing the maximum credit percentage for businesses from 75% or 90% to 99% for most contributions. It also establishes a new Pennsylvania Learning Investment Tax Credit and creates a Displaced Student Scholarship Fund to support students who must move due to natural disasters or other emergencies. The legislation raises the annual funding cap for these programs from $590 million to $790 million and adjusts how funds are allocated among different types of scholarship organizations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 11, 2026, as the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda attacks within the state. The measure formally honors the victims, their families, and the first responders who sacrificed their lives during the events and subsequent recovery efforts. Additionally, it recognizes the service of military personnel involved in the global war on terrorism and encourages Pennsylvanians to remember the historical significance of the day.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of U.S. Route 222 in Berks County as the Chief Jeffory L. Buck and Assistant Chief Robert R. Shick, Jr., Memorial Highway. The legislation honors two firefighters who died in the line of duty while conducting a missing person search along that road in April 2026. To implement this designation, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain official signs bearing the memorial names for traffic traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2365 updates Pennsylvania's game laws by clarifying definitions, expanding opportunities for young hunters, and adjusting rules for unlicensed individuals participating in hunts. The bill establishes free hunting days for qualified juniors and creates prima facie evidence that allows licensed hunters to assist others who are not yet licensed, provided the unlicensed person stays within sight and does not possess a firearm. Additionally, it repeals an exception that previously allowed children under 12 to trap without a license and tightens requirements to ensure only one active hunting license is held at any time.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 requires Pennsylvania public school students to store cell phones securely during the school day - either in a lockbox or a locked case - while in school buildings. The bill directly affects all public school students, with exceptions for those in volunteer fire/rescue groups or needing phones for immediate family medical emergencies (with principal approval). Schools must update their written policies to implement these rules, subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2599 amends Pennsylvania's firearm laws to require a valid license for anyone carrying a concealed firearm on their person or inside a vehicle, with specific exceptions for those who already hold a valid license from another state or the federal government. The bill establishes that carrying a concealed firearm without a license is a third-degree felony for those with a prior criminal record, while reducing the penalty to a first-degree misdemeanor for first-time offenders. It also clarifies that individuals must present their license or proof of eligibility to law enforcement upon request and sets the law into effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates June 2026 as "Life Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The measure calls on churches, businesses, and communities across the state to celebrate this date and reaffirm the protection of unborn lives. As a symbolic gesture, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to recognize a specific timeframe for public observance.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the Secretary of Labor to review and potentially update federal child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill argues that current restrictions on hours and job types for young workers limit their ability to gain essential training and fill critical skills gaps in industries like construction and manufacturing. While the resolution emphasizes that safety must remain a priority, it calls for reforms that would allow more youth employment opportunities to support the state's economy. Because this is a non-binding resolution, it does not change any laws but instead serves as a formal request for federal officials to reconsider existing regulations.