Rep. Joe Webster

Maddy summaryHB 2189 amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to increase the state's minimum wage to $11 per hour starting January 1, 2027, $13 per hour on January 1, 2028, and $15 per hour on January 1, 2029. After 2029, the minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey- Delaware-Maryland area. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and workers covered under the Minimum Wage Act, including tipped employees who retain their tips. The changes apply to all non-exempt workers in the state, with no new exemptions or special rules added beyond the wage schedule and adjustment mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 453 clarifies definitions in Pennsylvania law related to emergency services. It adds a specific definition for "telecommunicator" (including 911 dispatchers and call takers) and expands the definition of "emergency responder" to explicitly include telecommunicators, medical personnel, and other emergency workers in multiple sections of law. This bill directly affects emergency service workers like dispatchers, firefighters, and medical personnel by formally including them under defined terms for mental wellness programs and mutual aid protocols. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment and does not create new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1261 bans PFAS chemicals (harmful substances linked to health risks) in firefighting protective gear, requiring safer alternatives for all new equipment. It creates grant programs to help fire companies replace PFAS-containing gear and mandates that state-funded equipment purchases must be PFAS-free. The bill also imposes penalties on entities failing to comply with the PFAS restrictions. These changes directly protect firefighters and guide fire companies' equipment procurement under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryHB 1541 (Pennsylvania) modifies a 1970 law governing construction contracts. It voids and makes unenforceable clauses requiring one party (like contractors, architects, or owners) to cover negligence-related damages (such as bodily injury, property damage, or economic loss caused by their own negligence). The bill also limits insurance coverage for "additional insureds" (entities added to a policy) to match the contract’s requirements and applicable law. This directly affects construction industry participants in contracts involving design, building, or infrastructure projects. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1780 amends Pennsylvania's Commerce and Trade laws to require businesses accepting electronic payments to clearly disclose all associated fees to consumers. It directly affects merchants and service providers who process credit/debit card transactions, mandating transparent fee structures. The key provision requires payment processors to list all fees (like interchange, assessment, or processing fees) upfront during checkout or in billing statements. This aims to prevent hidden costs for consumers by making fee information readily available and understandable.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces two main changes to Pennsylvania law: it exempts gun safes and gun locks from sales and use tax, and it creates a new criminal offense for failing to securely store firearms. Under the new provisions, firearm owners must keep their weapons locked in a designated safe or with a locking device when not in use, with stricter penalties if a minor or unauthorized person is likely to be present. The legislation also establishes civil liability for owners whose unsecured firearms cause injury or property damage and requires retailers to post notices about secure storage laws. Additionally, the bill clarifies that gun cabinets do not qualify as gun safes and defines specific terms like "securely store" and "unauthorized user" to guide enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exclude gun safes and gun locks from sales and use taxes. It directly affects retailers selling these security devices and consumers purchasing them for firearm storage. The legislation defines a gun safe as a self-contained enclosure with locking mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access, while explicitly excluding gun cabinets from the tax exemption. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates July 4, 2026, as "Valley Forge National Historical Park Day" to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary. The bill directly affects the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Valley Forge National Historical Park by officially recognizing the date for commemorative purposes. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as a symbolic designation to honor the site's historical significance during its half-century milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 84 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to prohibit the road spreading and land application of oil and gas wastewater (including "tophole water" and "production water") for purposes like dust suppression, road deicing, or road bed stabilization. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators and municipalities handling this wastewater by banning these specific disposal methods, except for limited well-site applications under existing regulations. Key provisions include banning wastewater from being spread on roads or applied to land (except for well-site use per 25 Pa. Code § 78.60/78a.60) and prohibiting vehicles equipped to spread such wastewater. The law also clarifies that wastewater used for these purposes cannot be classified as a "coproduct" under department regulations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2254 adds Chapter 14 to Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana within specific care facilities (like hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living residences) under strict conditions. Facilities must create written guidelines within 180 days covering safe storage, patient safety, allowed forms of marijuana, and documentation. The bill imposes a $500 daily civil penalty for noncompliance, with penalties deposited into the Medical Marijuana Program Fund. It does not require facilities to provide certifications, administer marijuana, or permit use in emergency departments. This directly affects terminally ill patients seeking access in regulated care settings and facilities operating under the existing medical marijuana program.