Rep. Joe Webster

Maddy summaryHR 55 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study whether computer algorithms (computational redistricting) could replace human-drawn legislative district maps. The study must examine costs, experiences from other states and countries, stakeholder input, and potential recommendations for implementation. This resolution does not change current redistricting rules but would inform future legislative decisions about how districts are drawn.

Maddy summaryHB 473 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to regulate how absentee and mail-in ballot applications are distributed. It prohibits private organizations or individuals from sending these applications to voters, requiring the Secretary of the Commonwealth to provide free, accessible physical and electronic forms at public locations without personal requests. The bill also establishes a "permanent mail-in ballot list," allowing eligible voters to opt in for annual applications mailed by February 1st (or within 48 hours of voter registration), covering all elections until the following February. This directly affects Pennsylvania voters who use absentee or mail-in ballots, ensuring applications come only from official state channels.

Maddy summaryHB 476 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to establish a public master list of qualified voters who could serve as election clerks and create a process for filling clerk vacancies. The bill requires county election boards to maintain an annual master list of registered voters (with addresses) for random selection to fill vacancies, with specific exemptions like active military service or breastfeeding. It also mandates that election board vacancies be filled by randomly selecting from the master list of qualified voters, while maintaining the existing requirement that judges and majority inspectors must be from the majority party and minority inspectors from the minority party. These changes aim to standardize clerk appointment procedures and ensure fair representation on election boards.

Maddy summaryHB 474 requires Pennsylvania county boards of elections to maintain a publicly accessible website with a domain ending in ".gov" for election-related information. This bill directly affects all 67 county election boards by adding a specific administrative requirement to their existing duties under the Pennsylvania Election Code. The key provision mandates that these websites must use a ".gov" domain to ensure public access to election information. The bill takes effect one year after enactment, with no other substantive policy changes to election procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 291, also known as "Susan's and Emily's Law," updates Pennsylvania's parking rules to better protect pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked next to pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position their wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and curb, aligned with traffic flow. The bill also clarifies disability parking rules, allowing local governments to restrict access to specific vehicles or license plates and charge reasonable fees while complying with federal disability law. Violations of the new pedestrian/bike lane parking rules carry a $15 fine, while disability parking violations can result in fines of $50-$300.

Maddy summaryHB 478 proposes a constitutional amendment to disqualify individuals who recently held government positions (within two months) from serving as election officers in Pennsylvania. It expands existing rules by adding recent officeholders to the list of disqualified candidates, while maintaining exceptions for notaries public and National Guard members. The bill does not change election procedures but modifies constitutional eligibility standards for election workers. As a procedural resolution, it requires General Assembly passage and voter approval per Pennsylvania's constitutional amendment process.

Maddy summaryHB 201 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update how intermediate units (regional education agencies) manage facilities and receive state funding. It expands boards' authority to acquire land/buildings through purchase, lease, or gift (Section 914-A(11)), and requires pre-approval from the Secretary of Education for lease/loan agreements involving office, classroom, or warehouse space (Section 919.1-A(a)). The bill revises the capital subsidy calculation: the state will allocate funds based on each intermediate unit's student enrollment multiplied by the median per-student instructional cost across all districts, then applying a 0.03% rate. This directly affects intermediate units and school districts using their facilities, changing both facility management rules and state funding distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 190 requires Pennsylvania schools to annually provide eating disorder awareness and education materials to parents, guardians, and key school staff (like counselors and principals) for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates that schools share this information via email, mail, or website, using materials developed by the Department of Health in collaboration with an advisory committee of experts from groups like the National Alliance for Eating Disorders and school health organizations. These materials must explain warning signs, resources, prevention, and be available in multiple languages. The law directly affects all public, charter, cyber, and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania, aiming to improve early recognition and support for students facing eating disorders.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 23, 2025, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to recognize women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications, highlighting Pennsylvania's maternal mortality rate of 82 deaths per 100,000 live births and the significantly higher rate (163 per 100,000) for Black women. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but seeks to increase public and healthcare awareness about maternal health risks. It references existing efforts like the Maternal Mortality Review Committee established under Act 24 of 2018.