Rep. Lisa Borowski

Maddy summaryHR 288 is a symbolic resolution adopted by Pennsylvania's legislature to designate October 13, 2025, as the "250th Birthday of the United States Navy" within the state. This resolution serves as a ceremonial recognition of the Navy's anniversary, with no legal effect or policy changes. It does not impose obligations, allocate funds, or affect any specific group or policy. The bill was formally adopted on October 8, 2025, following committee review.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1893) proposes amendments to Pennsylvania's tax levy provisions for boroughs and incorporated towns under Title 8 of the Consolidated Statutes. The title indicates it relates to municipal taxation and finance procedures, but the provided context does not specify the exact changes to tax rates, exemptions, or levy mechanisms. Without details on the proposed amendments (e.g., new tax brackets, relief programs, or administrative changes), a substantive summary of its provisions cannot be created. The bill was referred to the Local Government committee and later laid on the table, indicating it has not advanced further. Specific policy changes or affected groups cannot be identified from the available information.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 repeals specific provisions in Pennsylvania law regarding the sale or transfer of firearms under Title 18. This change directly affects firearm sellers, buyers, and dealers who previously operated under those repealed rules. The bill removes existing legal requirements or restrictions related to firearm transactions from the state statutes. It does not create new rules but eliminates the current legal framework governing these sales and transfers. The bill passed final passage on September 30, 2025, and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1910 creates a state-funded grant program to provide school supplies directly to public school educators. It amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish the "School Supplies for Educators Grant Program," which will distribute state funds to cover essential classroom materials like paper, pens, and art supplies. The program specifically targets educators in public schools, ensuring they have access to necessary supplies for their classrooms. This policy change shifts funding responsibility from individual schools or teachers to a centralized state grant system.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 would create a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for "swatting," defined as making a false emergency report to law enforcement to provoke a high-risk police response (like sending a SWAT team) at a victim's location. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally submit false reports for the purpose of causing fear, harm, or disruption to others. It amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code (Title 18) to specifically address swatting under the section on falsification and intimidation. This would provide a clear legal standard for prosecuting such acts, which currently may not be adequately covered under existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1866 would have expanded Pennsylvania's definition of "prohibited offensive weapons" under criminal law to include specific items like modified firearms and certain knives, making it a crime to attempt to obtain or possess them. The bill aimed to clarify that inchoate offenses (such as attempted possession) involving these weapons would be punishable under existing statutes. It directly affected individuals facing charges related to preparing to obtain or carry these weapons. However, the bill was defeated during final passage on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1899 amends the Right-to-Know Law to update the procedures for when government records can be withheld from public access. It adds new specific categories of records that may be kept private, such as certain sensitive operational details or security-related information. This directly affects citizens requesting public records and government agencies handling those requests by clarifying which documents can be exempted. The bill focuses on refining the legal process for exceptions without changing the core public access principles of the existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 880 amends Pennsylvania's Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in most indoor public places. The bill updates existing definitions, signage requirements, and enforcement procedures for venues covered by the law (like restaurants and bars), while maintaining the core smoking prohibition. It makes technical adjustments to the law's structure and language but does not change the fundamental restrictions on smoking in public indoor spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1903 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, a school safety reporting system, by clarifying definitions and enhancing program requirements. It also adds new requirements for colleges and universities, mandating they establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with implementing an online reporting system for incidents. The bill directly affects public schools and postsecondary institutions by changing how they handle safety reporting and campus conduct policies. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for consistency and requiring institutions to provide accessible online reporting tools for students. These changes aim to improve clarity and accessibility in addressing safety and harassment concerns across educational settings.