Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's House Resolution 193 urges the President to unfreeze federal funds already approved by Congress and stop future freezes of such funds. It specifically references over $700 million in federal infrastructure funding for Pennsylvania projects - like rail service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, new passenger routes, EV charging stations, and bridge repairs - that remain unspent due to the freeze. The resolution cites legal challenges (including two federal court orders blocking the freeze) and notes the President's administration has not restored these funds despite court rulings. It argues the freeze violates the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits the President's authority to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated funds. This is a symbolic state-level resolution with no legal effect on federal policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 clarifies and updates Pennsylvania's laws regarding advance health care directives, specifically strengthening the legal framework for "Pennsylvania orders for life-sustaining treatment" (POLST) and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. The bill adds criminal penalties for falsifying, forging, or tampering with these documents, or for concealing a patient's revocation of them. It also specifies that emergency medical services must follow valid POLST or DNR orders when present, providing standard care only when no such order exists. This directly affects patients with advance directives, their families, and health care providers who must comply with these legal documents.

Maddy summaryHB 1255 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution, adding Section 30 to guarantee employees the right to organize, bargain collectively over wages and working conditions, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits laws that interfere with these rights, including bans on union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment must pass both legislative chambers and then be approved by Pennsylvania voters at the next qualifying election. This would establish a constitutional right affecting all Pennsylvania workers and employers, not just current labor laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 requires cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to ensure all professional staff members hold state certification, including special education certification for those providing special education services. This amendment to the Public School Code directly affects cyber charter school employees and their employers by establishing standardized qualification requirements. The new rule takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, aligning cyber charter school staffing standards with those of traditional public schools.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 6, 2025, as "AKA Day at the Capitol" in Pennsylvania to recognize Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), the nation's oldest Greek-letter sorority founded by African-American women in 1908. It honors AKA's 117-year history of service, its 360,000 global members, and its community initiatives focused on social justice, education, and economic empowerment. The resolution is purely commemorative and does not create new laws or policies; it simply designates a day for the sorority to engage with Pennsylvania legislators.

Maddy summaryHB 1215 establishes Pennsylvania's Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission to draw congressional district maps, directly affecting how Pennsylvania's 17 congressional districts are defined. The bill requires a 15-member commission (5 from the largest party, 5 from the second-largest, and 5 nonpartisan members) selected through a public application process with transparency requirements. Key provisions include prioritizing specific redistricting criteria (like population equality and community integrity), setting deadlines for map adoption, and allowing judicial review if maps aren't finalized. The commission must operate transparently with public input, and maps must be drawn every decade following a standardized process. This bill changes the redistricting process from legislative control to a structured, nonpartisan commission.

Maddy summaryHB 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Pennsylvania's current Legislative Reapportionment Commission - which includes legislative leaders - with an Independent Redistricting Commission. The new commission would draw state legislative and congressional district boundaries after each federal census, following specific redistricting criteria outlined in the amendment. This change aims to reduce partisan influence by removing direct legislative control over redistricting. The bill does not detail the exact criteria but requires the commission to adhere to them when creating district maps.

Maddy summaryHB 156 requires child care centers and family child care homes in Pennsylvania that use fossil-fuel heaters, fireplaces, or have attached garages to install operational carbon monoxide alarms. Specifically, alarms must be placed within 15 feet of these hazards and on every level of the facility, with full compliance needed within 18 months of the law's effective date. The Department of Human Services must notify all affected facilities within 12 months of the law taking effect. This bill amends the Human Services Code to add these safety standards, referencing existing carbon monoxide alarm definitions from the 2013 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act. It does not change the Department of Labor and Industry's authority under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.

Maddy summaryHB 411 adds a new supplemental annuity for eligible Pennsylvania state retirees, starting July 2025. It applies to retirees who retired before July 2, 2001, have specific service credit (excluding certain classifications), and are receiving monthly payments on July 1, 2025. The amount equals a percentage (ranging from 15% to 24.5%) of their July 2025 monthly annuity, based on their retirement date. The benefit is paid automatically unless retirees opt out, and the cost will be funded over 10 years starting July 2026. This bill does not apply to survivors or retirees with certain service types.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to clarify that specific government service income is excluded from the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. The bill explicitly removes from taxable compensation income earned from active duty with the U.S. armed forces outside Pennsylvania, the U.S. Public Health Service, NOAA, or Pennsylvania emergency duty (including under state emergency management laws). This change directly affects Pennsylvania residents who receive these government service payments, ensuring they are not classified as taxable compensation under current law. The bill does not alter tax rates or brackets but refines the tax code's definition of taxable income to align with federal and state service structures.