Rep. Lisa Borowski

Maddy summaryHB 1904 would amend Pennsylvania's sentencing laws to specifically address hate-based intimidation, which occurs when someone intimidates another person due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. The bill requires courts to consider community impact statements during sentencing, which are written accounts from community members about how the crime affected the broader community. This change would directly affect judges, courts handling such cases, and the communities impacted by bias-motivated intimidation offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1099 would create a new criminal offense under Pennsylvania law for possessing or manufacturing undetectable firearms. These are weapons that cannot be detected by standard metal detectors, such as certain 3D-printed guns. The bill would add this specific prohibition to Pennsylvania's criminal code, making it illegal to have or produce such firearms. It directly affects individuals who possess or create undetectable firearms by establishing clear legal consequences for this activity.

Maddy summaryHB 1859 proposed changes to Pennsylvania's firearm laws, targeting individuals prohibited from possessing firearms (such as those under extreme risk protection orders) and establishing rules for safely surrendering firearms. It added provisions for "extreme risk protection orders" (court orders to temporarily remove firearms from high-risk individuals), clarified restrictions on firearm possession, and required the Attorney General to create a system for reporting firearm abandonment. The bill also updated procedures for community courts and imposed penalties for violations, but it was defeated in final passage on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary grant program to fund public schools in Pennsylvania that prepare meals from scratch (rather than using pre-packaged or processed foods) for students. It directly affects public schools participating in the pilot, allowing them to apply for state grants to cover costs associated with preparing fresh meals. The key provision establishes the program under the Public School Code, requiring the state education department to administer the grants and evaluate the pilot's effectiveness. The goal is to test whether scratch-cooked meals improve student nutrition and school meal participation, with results informing potential future policy changes. (Note: Specific grant amounts, duration, and participating school criteria are not detailed in the provided context.)

Maddy summaryHB 1880 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to clarify the offense of impersonating a public servant and to create a specific exception for federal immigration officials. The bill states that federal immigration officials do not commit a crime under Pennsylvania law when concealing their identity while performing official immigration enforcement duties. This provision prevents state laws on impersonation and disorderly conduct from being applied to federal officials during such activities. The bill also adds further detail to the impersonation statute to make it clearer for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1870 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle fee statutes to expand exemptions for certain persons, entities, and vehicles from registration or licensing fees. The bill specifically addresses fee exemptions under Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes but does not detail the exact exemptions, affected groups, or specific fee types in the provided context. As a procedural bill focused on fee exemption rules, it does not outline new implementation mechanisms or direct financial impacts. The bill was recently referred to the Transportation committee on September 22, 2025, but lacks sufficient detail in the given context to describe concrete policy changes or who would be affected.

Maddy summaryHB 1868 amends Pennsylvania laws governing transportation network services (like ride-hailing apps) and highway funding. It sets rules for the rates these companies charge riders and how they compensate drivers. The bill also changes how taxes collected for highway maintenance and construction are allocated to local road projects. This directly affects transportation network companies, drivers, and local governments managing road infrastructure. The legislation aims to clarify operational standards and funding distribution within the state's transportation framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1503 amends the definitions within Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code specifically for sales and use tax rules. It updates how certain terms are defined in the tax code, clarifying what goods or services may be subject to these taxes. This bill directly affects businesses and consumers who purchase or sell items covered under the sales and use tax provisions. The change is procedural, focusing solely on refining definitions without altering tax rates or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1584 amends Pennsylvania's Agricultural Area Security Law to expand state funding for purchasing conservation easements. This allows the state to acquire land protections from farmers and landowners, preventing development on farmland. The key mechanism increases the state's capacity to secure these easements through dedicated funding, directly affecting agricultural landowners who may sell such protections to keep their land in farming use. The bill aims to preserve working farmland by making it easier for the state to protect agricultural areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1560 establishes a new Municipal Grant Assistance Program to provide financial support to local governments for community development projects. It creates a dedicated fund managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development, which will administer grant distributions to eligible municipalities. The bill assigns specific responsibilities to the department for overseeing the fund and ensuring grants are allocated according to program guidelines.