Maddy summaryHB 2134 amends Pennsylvania's emergency services laws to update grant programs for fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. It creates a new "Fire Department Identification Number" (FDID) system requiring the State Fire Commissioner to assign unique five-character codes to fire departments, hazardous materials teams, and specialty teams. The bill repeals outdated COVID-19 emergency grant programs and establishes new funding streams for hazardous materials teams, specialty teams, and standard fire/EMS company grants, while clarifying how funds are allocated and requiring annual reports. These changes directly affect fire companies, EMS providers, and the State Fire Commissioner's office by modernizing administrative processes and funding mechanisms.
Rep. Ben Sanchez
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2132 updates Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act by replacing the term "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge" for courts handling landlord-tenant cases, excluding common pleas courts. It requires eviction orders (writs of possession) to be served within 48 hours and executed on the 11th day after service. The bill prohibits landlords from charging tenants for filing costs and voids any lease clause requiring tenants to pay such fees. These changes clarify court procedures and protect tenants from unexpected costs during eviction processes.
Maddy summaryHB 2130 renames the Fort Duquesne Bridge on U.S. Route 279 over the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh as the Franco Harris Bridge. This commemorative bill honors Franco Harris, the late Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back and community advocate, by renaming a specific bridge in his hometown. The bill does not create new policies or affect any regulations - its sole purpose is to rename the bridge. The legislation is procedural and has no direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations.
Maddy summaryHB 2127 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust tax credit rules for waterfront development projects. It increases the maximum tax credit for businesses from 75% to 90% of their contribution and doubles the annual cap on total credits from $5 million to $10 million. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to review applications and renewals from waterfront development organizations within 60 days and limits contributions used for future maintenance to no more than 15%. These changes directly affect businesses contributing to waterfront development projects and the organizations managing these projects.
Maddy summaryHB 2125 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to strengthen tenant protections in rental properties. It restricts evictions to four specific reasons: nonpayment of rent, a second or subsequent lease violation within six months, a change in land use, or property termination. The bill requires landlords to provide written notices via certified mail before eviction proceedings, with 20-day notice for rent nonpayment (April-September) or 30 days otherwise, and prohibits self-help evictions like lockouts. It also mandates that community rules be uniformly applied to all tenants and posted clearly, with a required "Important Notice" explaining tenant rights and eviction procedures. This bill directly affects tenants and landlords in rental properties governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act.
Maddy summaryHB 2126 requires Pennsylvania residents to obtain a new "firearm eligibility license" to purchase a firearm, making it illegal to possess a firearm without this license. The bill adds an exception allowing individuals with an expired carry license (within six months) to carry a firearm without penalty if eligible for renewal. It also ensures that individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm (including those without the eligibility license) cannot obtain a license to carry, affecting both firearm purchasers and carry license applicants.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2, 2026, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to increase public understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints and organs that impacts over 1.3 million Americans and carries significant health risks like higher heart attack rates. The resolution is symbolic - meaning it does not create new laws or funding, but rather formally recognizes the day to highlight the disease's challenges and connect to broader health awareness efforts. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by encouraging community recognition of rheumatoid arthritis through official state acknowledgment.
Maddy summaryHB 2128 amends Pennsylvania's firearm licensing laws by updating the criteria for denying concealed carry permits and requiring detailed annual reporting from the Pennsylvania State Police. It specifies that sheriffs may deny licenses based on violations of federal weapon carriage rules (49 CFR 1540.111) as "good cause," directly affecting applicants seeking concealed carry permits. The bill also mandates the State Police to annually report to the General Assembly on firearm sales types, denied application statistics, background check processing times, license issuances/reversals, and other key metrics. These changes focus on clarifying denial standards and increasing transparency around firearm licensing data. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2121) creates a provisional license pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to practice medicine in Pennsylvania. To qualify, IMGs must provide evidence of at least three years of overseas practice, English proficiency, a foreign medical education credential, passing scores on required U.S. medical exams, verification of training, U.S. work authorization, and a full-time job offer from a Pennsylvania healthcare facility. The provisional license is valid for up to four years and requires supervised practice in underserved areas or approved specialties. After four years of good standing, IMGs may transition to a full, unrestricted license, and the board must report annually on license recipients, their practice locations, and specialties to the legislature.
Maddy summaryHB 2116 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to provide additional property tax relief for low-income senior citizens. It creates a 50% supplemental rebate on top of existing property tax rebates for seniors with household income ≤ $30,000 who live in cities other than first-class cities (e.g., Philadelphia), school districts, or second-class A cities. The bill changes income calculation by allowing property taxes paid on primary residences to reduce taxable income, and updates rebate schedules with annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes directly affect seniors aged 65+ with low fixed incomes who qualify for base property tax or rent rebates.