Rep. Craig Staats

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 10, 2025, as the "250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps" for observance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - the location where the Corps was founded. It has no binding effect on policy or funding but formally recognizes this historical milestone. The resolution was adopted by Congress on October 29, 2025, following committee review. It directly affects commemorative observances in Philadelphia and the Marine Corps community.

Maddy summaryHB 414 creates the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act in Pennsylvania, directly affecting military parents and their children during deployments. It updates state laws to automatically grant deployed military parents specific custody and visitation rights, ensuring these arrangements are recognized without requiring separate court orders. The bill amends Domestic Relations and Military Affairs statutes to provide clear, consistent protections for military families during active duty. Signed into law on October 27, 2025 (Act No. 40 of 2025), it standardizes these provisions across Pennsylvania courts.

Maddy summaryHB 1955 prohibits local governments and state agencies in Pennsylvania from setting targets for issuing traffic citations (quotas) or spreading citation numbers across police stations (station averaging). It also changes how traffic violations affect driver license points and establishes a pilot program testing radar enforcement systems on roads. The bill directly affects local police departments, state agencies, and drivers by altering citation practices and licensing consequences. It codifies existing restrictions on citation quotas while adding new rules for radar use, without changing traffic laws themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 1952 amends Pennsylvania's sentencing procedures for first-degree murder convictions. The provided context does not specify the bill's exact provisions, such as changes to mandatory terms or sentencing guidelines, so key mechanisms cannot be described. The bill was referred to the Judiciary committee on October 16, 2025. Without additional details on the proposed changes, a summary of concrete policy impacts is not possible.

Maddy summaryHR 346 is a resolution (not a law) urging Pennsylvania's Department of State to cooperate with federal authorities, specifically the U.S. Department of Justice, regarding voter registration checks. It directly targets state election officials, requiring them to share information to prevent noncitizen voter registration as part of federal election integrity efforts. The resolution seeks to compel state-level compliance with federal requests but does not create new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 288 is a symbolic resolution adopted by Pennsylvania's legislature to designate October 13, 2025, as the "250th Birthday of the United States Navy" within the state. This resolution serves as a ceremonial recognition of the Navy's anniversary, with no legal effect or policy changes. It does not impose obligations, allocate funds, or affect any specific group or policy. The bill was formally adopted on October 8, 2025, following committee review.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Warrant Officer William J. McMichael's service in the U.S. Army Air Forces, expresses condolences to his family, and commends the return of his remains. It directly affects his family and the public through symbolic recognition of his military legacy. As a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill), it does not create new laws or alter regulations. The bill is currently on the uncontested calendar for potential passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 would change how Pennsylvania awards transportation infrastructure projects by allowing state agencies to use a "design build best value" approach instead of solely selecting the lowest bid. This means projects could be awarded based on a combination of cost, technical quality, and project timeline, rather than just the cheapest proposal. The bill directly affects state transportation projects (like roads and bridges) and the contractors bidding on them. It is currently pending final approval after passing third consideration in the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1915 amends Pennsylvania's game laws to further support junior hunter projects managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill directly affects young hunters (typically minors) by expanding access to educational and supervised hunting programs focused on safety and conservation. Key provisions update the statutes to clarify the commission's authority and structure for these initiatives. The bill was referred to the Game & Fisheries committee on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.