Rep. Jenn O'Mara

Maddy summaryHB 231 amends Pennsylvania's election code to allow nomination petitions for candidates to be printed on multiple sheets, with each sheet used for signers from different counties. The sheets must be bound together, numbered consecutively, and include a circulator's statement verifying signers' qualifications, residences, and party registration (with exceptions for certain local offices like school boards). This change directly affects candidates seeking nomination and the people collecting signatures for petitions across Pennsylvania. The bill streamlines the petition process without altering voter requirements or eligibility standards. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 264 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle fee law to clarify that veterans with a 100% service-connected disability are exempt from vehicle titling and registration fees. The bill specifies that this exemption applies to veterans whose disability is certified at 100% by the military or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and who qualify for a disability plate and placard under existing law. It replaces the previous reference to "totally disabled veterans" with this precise standard to ensure consistent application of the fee exemption. This change updates the legal language without altering the scope of who qualifies for the exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to allow voters with disabilities preventing them from entering polling places to vote from their vehicles. It directly affects voters who are blind, disabled, or unable to physically access voting locations due to conditions like blindness, disease, or mobility issues. The bill requires two election officers from different political parties to provide ballots at the polling place entrance or curb, permits voters to mark ballots and hand them to officers for deposit, and mandates documentation of assisted voting. It also allows voters without disability records on their registration to provide evidence of their condition per Secretary of the Commonwealth guidelines. The changes aim to improve accessibility while maintaining election integrity through specific procedural safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to set annual contribution limits for political campaigns. It caps individual donations to a single candidate at $10,000 per calendar year and limits political action committee (PAC) contributions to $20,000 per candidate annually. These restrictions apply directly to donors and PACs supporting candidates for any office within Pennsylvania. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 272 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania municipalities and emergency service facilities (like fire stations, police departments, and ambulance services) install solar energy systems. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, awarding competitive grants to cover eligible costs such as solar equipment, installation, permits, and site assessments. Applicants must submit a site assessment and verify contractors meet licensing, safety, and legal requirements through an affidavit. The program also requires the department to provide technical assistance and educational resources about solar energy projects.

Maddy summaryHB 244 exempts the sale or use of alternative fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles from Pennsylvania's sales and use tax during 2026 and 2027. It directly affects consumers purchasing qualifying vehicles during those years, as well as dealers and the state's tax administration. The bill requires the Secretary of Environmental Protection to certify eligible vehicle models, using definitions from Pennsylvania's existing Alternative Fuels Incentive Act (2004). This creates a temporary tax break for specific vehicle types to encourage adoption during the 2026-2027 period. The exemption applies only to vehicles meeting the defined criteria and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 254 creates a new tax credit for Pennsylvania residents who install electric vehicle charging stations at their primary homes. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 100% of the installation cost, up to $2,000 per year, which is refundable if it exceeds their state income tax liability. To qualify, residents must have lived in Pennsylvania for over half the previous year, have a valid taxpayer ID, and install the station at their owned primary residence. The credit applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, with the Department of Revenue responsible for implementing guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 250 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuels Incentive Act to update rebates for residents purchasing alternative fuel vehicles. It provides specific rebates: $3,000 for new electric/hydrogen vehicles, $1,500 for plug-in hybrids, and $1,000 for other qualifying new, pre-owned (under 75,000 miles), or demonstration vehicles (500-10,000 miles) priced at $50,000 or less. Low-income residents (at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) receive an additional $2,000 rebate. Applications must be submitted within six months of purchase, with proof of registration and purchase, and rebates are funded based on annual availability. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents buying eligible alternative fuel vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 255 establishes a 5-year pilot program offering toll credits to Pennsylvania residents who own qualifying green vehicles. It provides $100 in toll credits for hybrid electric vehicles and $200 for battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, available through the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after applicants submit registration and a completed form. The program directly affects residents purchasing eligible vehicles, incentivizing adoption by reducing toll costs on the Turnpike. The bill expires five years from its effective date, with the Commission responsible for developing application rules.

Maddy summaryHB 253 adds a new exemption from vehicle registration in Pennsylvania for new or leased motor vehicles (excluding motorcycles and motorized bicycles) that achieve at least 40 miles per gallon in city driving, as certified by the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy's 2024 Fuel Economy Guide. This exemption applies only during the vehicle's first two years of registration, after which standard registration rules apply. The bill directly affects owners of qualifying fuel-efficient vehicles who would otherwise need to pay registration fees during those initial two years. It modifies Pennsylvania's vehicle registration statutes to align with federal fuel efficiency standards without changing existing registration requirements for other vehicles. The exemption is limited to vehicles meeting specific EPA-defined efficiency thresholds.