Rep. Kristin Marcell

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Higher Education Scholarship Law to allow the state to deny financial aid to students convicted of specific criminal offenses. It mandates the denial of all forms of assistance for students convicted of any felony, as well as specific misdemeanors involving moral turpitude. Additionally, the legislation requires aid denial for convictions related to ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal trespass at protected locations. These changes apply to all students seeking state-funded scholarships who have been found guilty of these crimes by a court of record.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania law to update the definition of child pornography by explicitly including artificially generated depictions of minors. It specifically targets images created using artificial intelligence or photo editing software that appear to show a child under 18 in prohibited sexual acts or in a sexually suggestive manner. The legislation clarifies that these digital creations are illegal even if no real child was physically involved in their production. This change directly affects individuals who possess, control, or view such manipulated visual materials. The law will take effect 60 days after it is signed into force.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of June 17 through 23, 2024, as "Pollinator Week" throughout Pennsylvania to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for agriculture and ecosystems. It acknowledges the roles of various state organizations, such as the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association and the Department of Agriculture, in supporting beekeeping and habitat conservation. The resolution formally congratulates these groups for their efforts and urges the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing the observance. Copies of the resolution will be sent to relevant state agencies and partner organizations to facilitate public recognition of the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new restricted account to collect annual fees from individuals in Pennsylvania who are required to register as sexual offenders. Under the new provisions, the Pennsylvania State Police will charge these registrants a $40 annual fee, with the option to increase this amount through a formal legislative process. All money collected from these fees will be deposited into the newly created account, which can only be used by the General Assembly to fund the maintenance and improvement of the sexual offender registry. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Middletown Township, Bucks County, as the Lance Corporal John F. Muffler Memorial Bridge to honor a Marine who died in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain official signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act also includes background details about Muffler's life and service, noting his connection to the local marching band and his family's efforts to promote a memorial in Philadelphia.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called institutional trespass in Pennsylvania to specifically protect places like schools, churches, government buildings, and cemeteries. It makes it a third-degree felony for anyone who knowingly enters or stays in these locations with the intent to threaten people, start fires, damage property, or disrupt operations. The law applies to both the buildings themselves and the grounds surrounding them, as well as any personal property found inside. Once passed, the changes will take effect 60 days later.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's personal income tax law to introduce tax incentives for 529 savings accounts and tuition programs. It allows employers to claim a tax credit for matching employee contributions to 529 accounts, with a limit of $500 per employee per year, provided the employee also contributes to the account. Additionally, the bill updates tuition account rules to prevent fees from being charged when an account is closed due to the beneficiary's death or disability and ensures such payments are not taxed as income. These changes aim to encourage education savings while clarifying tax treatment for specific account events.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill amends the state's Tax Reform Code to update how corporations can deduct net losses against their taxable income. It establishes new rules that increase the maximum amount of net loss a company can use to reduce its tax bill in any given year, with the limit rising over time until it reaches 100% of taxable income for years starting after December 31, 2024. The legislation also clarifies how long past losses can be carried forward to offset future profits, extending the carryover period for losses generated after 1997 to 20 years. These changes directly affect corporations filing state income tax returns by allowing them to lower their current tax liability more aggressively when they have incurred losses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Law to strengthen financial oversight of the state's housing finance agency. It requires the Auditor General to examine the agency's financial records by June 30, 2025, and every year after that date. Additionally, the agency must submit an annual financial report to the Governor, the Auditor General, and both houses of the state legislature within 60 days of each fiscal year's end. These changes aim to ensure transparency and accountability in how the agency manages funds for low- and moderate-income housing projects.