Rep. Joe Webster

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace the Keystone Exams with the ACT test for high school graduation requirements in algebra I, literature, and biology, effective July 1, 2027. After that date, students must meet proficiency through the ACT or alternative pathways, including completing local coursework, scoring well on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, or providing evidence of postsecondary readiness. The bill updates definitions to include the ACT test and clarifies how students can demonstrate proficiency without taking the Keystone Exams. It directly affects Pennsylvania high school students and school districts responsible for implementing graduation requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 725 extends special education enrollment for students with disabilities who were impacted by pandemic disruptions. It allows eligible students (who haven't graduated high school, had an active Individualized Education Program at age 21, and were continuously enrolled since the 2020-2021 school year) to remain in public school through the 2035-2036 school year. Parents must submit an election form to the state by April 1 each year to enroll their child, with the state approving or denying within 30 days. The bill ensures these students' attendance counts toward school funding and maintains compliance with federal and state special education requirements. This directly affects students with disabilities in Pennsylvania's public schools who met pandemic-era enrollment conditions.

Maddy summaryHR 92 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility of county-led consolidated busing for all public and private school students. The study will evaluate potential cost savings, operational efficiencies, and benefits compared to current district-by-district transportation systems, while reviewing models from other states. It also requires the Commission to assess debt management for districts transitioning to consolidated service and propose necessary legislation. The Commission must submit findings and recommendations to relevant House committees within 12 months or by December 31, 2026. This resolution does not enact any policy changes but initiates a review of transportation costs affecting all school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 735 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change how candidate names are ordered on primary ballots for multi-county offices. It requires counties to list candidate order based on a rotation system: the top county by registered voters determines the initial order, and subsequent counties rotate the sequence (e.g., the first name in County A becomes last in County B). This aims to reduce potential bias from ballot position. The bill also directs the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board to study ballot order randomization. It directly affects candidates running for statewide or multi-county offices and election boards implementing ballot design.

Maddy summaryHR 90 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the projected costs of climate change adaptation and resilience measures needed to address climate-related events. The study must use IPCC climate modeling tools to analyze costs for mid-century, late-century, and end-of-century scenarios (using 2024 dollars), covering impacts on Pennsylvania's natural environment (water, air, biodiversity), built environment (infrastructure, buildings), and social environment (including demographic differences in vulnerability). It requires examining costs linked to hazards like flooding, drought, heat, and wildfires, while specifically analyzing how these costs affect low-income, rural, and other vulnerable communities. The resolution aims to provide data for informed decision-making about climate risk mitigation, not to enact funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 705 requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to issue grid security guidelines within 180 days, mandating electric distribution companies to develop and file detailed infrastructure plans within one year. These plans must address grid security against cyber/physical threats, electrify public infrastructure (like transit and emergency services), deploy modern technologies (energy storage, EV chargers), and ensure equitable coverage in underserved areas. Companies must evaluate impacts on grid reliability, economic development, customer rates, and low-income households before submitting plans for commission approval. The bill directly affects all electric distribution companies operating in Pennsylvania, requiring them to coordinate with state agencies and community representatives to modernize the grid for growing demand.

Maddy summaryHB 699 requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create new rules governing double utility poles (where multiple companies share one pole). It mandates annual registration for companies attaching infrastructure to poles, sets timelines for migrating facilities to new poles, and establishes procedures for compensating pole owners for relocation costs and removing abandoned attachments. The bill directly affects utility companies (electric, cable, telecom) and pole owners, requiring them to follow standardized processes for pole use, migration, and removal. Key provisions include annual registration, surety bonds for cost reimbursement, and civil penalties for noncompliance with the new rules. The legislation aims to address safety, efficiency, and aesthetics concerns related to long-term double-pole use.

Maddy summaryHB 679 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update requirements for teachers' continuing professional development. It allows school districts to include joint or cooperative training activities with other schools or colleges in their professional development plans. The state Department of Education must provide annual resources and guidance addressing the most frequent concerns raised by school employees statewide, updating these resources yearly. This directly affects public school teachers, districts, and the state education department through revised training requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 629 amends Pennsylvania's 1966 recreational liability law to expand protections for landowners, volunteers, and volunteer organizations that provide unpaid recreational access to the public. It adds definitions clarifying that "volunteers" are unpaid individuals caring for recreational land, and "volunteer organizations" include 501(c)(3) nonprofits or similar groups. The bill states these entities owe no duty to keep premises safe, give warnings about hazards, or assume liability for injuries to recreational users, including during hunting activities. This directly affects landowners who open areas for public recreation through volunteer efforts, ensuring they face no legal liability for ordinary risks. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 666 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create model guidelines for schools to address learning loss after disruptions like pandemics, natural disasters, or strikes causing five or more days of school closure or remote instruction. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, school districts, charter schools, and other school entities must submit remediation plans that include in-person instruction and specific strategies such as tutoring, extended school days, or additional instructional days. These plans must cover the number of days lost to the disruption (or the rest of the school year, whichever is shorter) and follow the state's model guidelines. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools in Pennsylvania and the Department of Education, which must develop and distribute the guidelines by July 2026.