Rep. Ben Sanchez

Maddy summaryHB 2535, known as the Commercial Data Center Public Safety Act, regulates large data centers in Pennsylvania that consume 25 megawatts or more of power. To receive a certificate of occupancy, these facilities must submit detailed emergency plans and inventories listing battery types, cooling agents, and fire suppression systems to local fire officials. The bill also mandates annual updates to these documents and restricts access to the information to authorized safety and law enforcement personnel to protect confidential security details.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires camp operators in Pennsylvania to create written flood evacuation plans if their camp is located within 500 feet of a flood hazard area. The plans must be filed with local and county emergency agencies, updated annually, and include posted evacuation maps and summaries provided to campers and parents. Municipalities can tie licensing and zoning approvals for camps to compliance with these new safety requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal definitions related to wiretapping and electronic surveillance in Pennsylvania, specifically clarifying what counts as an "oral communication" and who qualifies as a "law enforcement officer." It directly affects law enforcement agencies and individuals involved in electronic surveillance activities by expanding the list of recognized law enforcement personnel who can legally intercept communications during official duties. The key provision adds nine new categories of law enforcement officers to the existing definition, including state police, municipal officers, waterways conservation officers, and correctional facility investigators, while also specifying that communications made in the presence of uniformed officers using approved devices are not protected from interception. The changes apply to both state and local law enforcement and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 2083 updates Pennsylvania's hotel tax rules for third through eighth class counties, requiring hotels and booking agents to submit monthly reports detailing room rates, discounts, and taxes collected. It mandates that counties keep these records confidential (exempt from public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law) and allows counties to impose penalties up to $250 per day for non-compliance, with fines funding tax administration. The bill also directs the state to create uniform tax reporting forms for counties, developed with input from county associations and state agencies. This standardizes reporting while clarifying county authority over hotel tax collection.

Maddy summaryHB 2082 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to clarify how hotel occupancy taxes are collected and distributed. It requires booking agents to collect and remit both the standard 6% state hotel tax (under Section 210(a)) and additional local taxes from specific county or authority laws (like the Community and Economic Improvement Act or county convention center taxes) when processing bookings. Revenue from the standard tax goes to the state Tourism Promotion Fund, while additional local taxes are deposited per county ordinance. The bill also mandates counties to receive monthly transaction details (including fees and taxes) from operators, with these records exempt from public disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law.

Maddy summaryHB 996 repeals an expiration date for a provision regulating basic life support ambulances in Pennsylvania's emergency medical services system. Specifically, it removes the clause stating that exceptions to ambulance standards would expire on April 29, 2027. This change means the existing regulatory exception for basic life support ambulances will remain in effect indefinitely without a future sunset date. The bill directly affects ambulance services and emergency medical providers operating under Pennsylvania's Title 35 health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 733 amends Pennsylvania law to allow members of religious orders, bodies, or institutions to perform marriage ceremonies, provided they are authorized by their religious group's rules. This directly affects religious organizations and their designated members who currently may not be permitted to officiate weddings under existing statutes. The key provision adds a new category to the list of authorized marriage officiants in Title 23, specifying that religiously authorized individuals may conduct ceremonies per their institution's customs. The change does not alter marriage eligibility or create new marriage rights, but expands who can legally perform wedding ceremonies. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1123 updates Pennsylvania's 1921 Insurance Company Law to require casualty insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer screening without cost-sharing. This affects insured residents in Pennsylvania who need preventive screenings, ensuring they face no copays or deductibles for this specific health service. The key provision mandates insurers to include coverage for colon cancer screenings as a standard benefit under casualty insurance policies. The bill passed final passage on October 29, 2025, and is now pending implementation under the Banking & Insurance committee. This change directly removes financial barriers for early detection of colorectal cancer through existing insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" within the state. The measure aims to honor the victims of the 1914-1923 Ottoman Empire campaign that killed hundreds of thousands of Pontian Greeks and forced many more to flee. By officially naming this date, the bill seeks to ensure public remembrance of the event and acknowledge the contributions of Pontian Greek descendants to the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2026 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. It aims to increase public understanding of the disease by encouraging educational programs and support initiatives for those affected. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement to highlight the importance of early detection and research.