Rep. Kristine Howard

Maddy summaryHB 242 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Code to expand tax credits for beginning farmers. It creates a new "beginning farmer management tax credit" and clarifies definitions to streamline eligibility. The credit reduces tax liability for new farmers who use management services to start operations. This directly affects Pennsylvania farmers beginning agricultural businesses, making the tax benefit clearer and more accessible.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 8-14, 2025, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania. It recognizes the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s importance to Pennsylvania - including its role in providing drinking water, supporting 348 fish species, contributing to the $500 million seafood harvest, and covering half the state’s land area - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to host educational events during this week to raise awareness about the bay’s ecological and economic value.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes June 14, 2025, as "World Blood Donor Day" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or alter policies; it solely serves to honor blood donors through a formal state acknowledgment. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania residents by promoting awareness of blood donation, though it has no binding effect on government actions or funding. It was referred to the Health committee and later laid on the table, indicating it did not advance further.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (HR 67), not a law with binding requirements. It formally designates May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania for commemorative purposes. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by encouraging public awareness efforts during that month. The bill was referred to the Health committee, reported as committed, but was laid on the table (stalled) under House Rule 71 on June 4, 2025, preventing further action.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Melanoma Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to encourage community education and prevention efforts related to skin cancer. It has no funding or regulatory requirements and does not directly affect specific individuals or organizations, serving only as a symbolic designation to promote public health awareness.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Preeclampsia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to raise public attention about preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy-related condition. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves as a symbolic recognition effort. The bill was referred to the Health committee, reported as committed, and ultimately laid on the table (per House Rule 71) on June 4, 2025, indicating it is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 bans single-use plastic bags at retail stores in Pennsylvania, requiring them to offer recycled paper bags for a 10- to 25-cent fee instead. It directly affects stores like supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and farmers' markets, with exemptions for bags used with perishable foods, pharmacy medications, or dry cleaning. Retailers must post clear signs explaining the change until January 2027 and keep all fees collected from bag sales. The Department of Community and Economic Development must create educational materials and regulations to support the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 authorizes Pennsylvania's State Workers' Insurance Board to sell health insurance policies directly to the general public, not just state workers. The program must include minimum coverage for inpatient/outpatient hospital care, emergency services, preventive care, and basic medical services like doctor visits, physical therapy, and lab tests. The Board may borrow up to 40% of the State Workers' Insurance Fund’s annual balance to cover claims and administrative costs, with premiums partially funding loan repayments. This program will begin on January 1, 2026, offering a new public option for health insurance in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) designating June 22-28, 2025, as "Women Firefighters and EMS Workers Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes women’s contributions to firefighting and emergency medical services, highlighting their historical roles, current workforce participation (9% of firefighters, 31% of EMS workers nationally), and ongoing efforts to address barriers in these fields. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding; it solely serves to honor these professionals through a designated week of recognition. It was referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1096 creates the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income residents for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The bill establishes a dedicated "Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account" within the state treasury to fund the program and requires the state to conduct research on the program's effectiveness. It directly affects eligible low-income Pennsylvanians and participating farmers and retailers by expanding access to healthy food options. The law, which passed on June 3, 2025, focuses on concrete policy changes: creating the program structure, securing funding through the new account, and mandating program evaluation.