Rep. Nancy Guenst

Maddy summaryHB 1046 establishes the Pennsylvania Poet Laureate position and a nomination committee to select the appointee. The Governor appoints the Poet Laureate from a shortlist of three nominees provided by the committee (which includes education, arts, and humanities representatives), with the Laureate serving a two-year term and performing ceremonial duties like reading poems at the Governor's inauguration and legislative sessions, all without pay but with travel expenses reimbursed. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents by creating a state position to promote poetry and literary arts through official events.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to create two new provisions: (1) a tax deduction for fitness facilities that provide free or discounted memberships to active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, or reservists, limited to the regular membership fee and not reducing taxable income below zero; and (2) a personal health investment tax credit of up to $600 per year for eligible military members to cover qualified fitness expenses like gym memberships or exercise equipment. The deduction for facilities is only available if they did not claim the same expense for federal taxes. The credit applies to Pennsylvania resident individuals who qualify as active-duty military, National Guard, or reserve members under state definitions. These changes directly affect fitness businesses and military-affiliated taxpayers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 707 amends Pennsylvania's Freedom to Breastfeed Act to require all Commonwealth-owned buildings (like state offices, courthouses, and the State Museum) to provide dedicated nursing parent rooms. These rooms must be at least 50 square feet, lockable, accessible, and include essentials like a chair, work surface, sink, refrigerator, and privacy. The Department of General Services must install signage, maintain a public online list of room locations, and ensure compliance with accessibility standards. This directly affects employees and the public using state buildings who need to breastfeed or express milk.

Maddy summaryHR 113 is a resolution recognizing April 26, 2025, as "Diabetic Eye Screening Day" in Pennsylvania. It highlights diabetic retinopathy - a diabetes complication causing vision loss - and encourages free eye screenings by ophthalmologists on that date to raise awareness. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but symbolically supports early detection efforts for Pennsylvanians with diabetes. It directly affects residents at risk of vision loss from untreated diabetic eye disease by promoting accessible screenings. The bill was adopted by the House on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1163 creates a legal presumption that certain frontline workers contracted infectious diseases (like COVID-19) on the job during a declared public health emergency. It directly affects employees in life-sustaining roles - such as healthcare workers, first responders, grocery staff, food service workers, and public utility employees - who are required to work during emergencies. The bill ensures these workers cannot be forced to use paid leave for illness, automatically qualifies them for unemployment compensation, and makes them eligible for workers' compensation covering all related medical costs. This applies during any Governor-declared emergency for infectious diseases posing significant public health risks.

Maddy summaryHB 1167, titled the Clean Air Preservation Act, bans cloud seeding, solar radiation modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions within Pennsylvania. It directly affects any person or organization (including government agencies, corporations, or individuals) conducting such activities. The law requires Pennsylvania State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for suspected violations, treating these orders as court-enforceable. Violators face felony charges with penalties of at least $500,000 fines or two years in prison per violation, plus potential additional penalties under Pennsylvania’s existing Air Pollution Control Act.

Maddy summaryHB 109 creates a new permit review process for specific industrial facilities in Pennsylvania's designated "environmental justice areas" - communities with high pollution burdens and vulnerable populations (low-income, communities of color). It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to consider cumulative environmental and public health impacts when reviewing permits for facilities like large wastewater plants (50,000+ gal/day), major air polluters, waste sites (25+ tons/month), mining operations, and certain landfills. The bill mandates that permits in these areas must address disproportionate environmental impacts, as defined by demographic, economic, health, and environmental data. This directly affects developers and operators of industrial facilities seeking new or expanded permits in designated communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 requires builders of new or rehabilitated residential buildings in Pennsylvania to fix significant defects (like water leaks or structural issues) at no cost to purchasers within two years of delivery. Builders must complete repairs within six months of being notified of a defect; if they fail to do so, purchasers can sue in court for 150% of the repair costs. The law applies to buildings delivered within two years of the bill's effective date and excludes cosmetic issues or defects covered by existing warranties. This directly affects homebuyers and builders by creating a clear, time-bound process for addressing construction flaws.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to require residential building inspectors to complete five hours of mandatory continuing education. This training covers identifying faulty construction practices (including stucco installation), builders' legal liability, and homeowner remedies under federal or state law. The bill directly affects residential building inspectors licensed in Pennsylvania, adding this new requirement to their existing certification obligations. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 requires developers in Pennsylvania to mail a plain-language pamphlet called the "Adjacent Neighbors' Bill of Rights" to homeowners living next to construction or development sites when a building permit is applied for. The pamphlet details homeowners' rights regarding property access, engineering surveys (at developer expense), damage claims from excavation, noise ordinances, and legal resources. It also mandates the Department of Labor and Industry to create and post this resource online and distribute it to officials and community groups. The bill directly affects homeowners adjacent to construction projects and takes effect 60 days after enactment.