Rep. Tarah Probst

Maddy summaryHB 1169 requires Pennsylvania legislators to hold public meetings in their districts for residents to comment on proposed constitutional amendments or other statewide ballot questions. For constitutional amendments, meetings must occur within eight months after the General Assembly first passes the amendment; for other statewide questions, meetings must happen after a plain-English summary is prepared but before the question goes to voters. All meetings must follow Pennsylvania's open meetings law (65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7), ensuring transparency and public input before ballot questions are submitted to voters. The bill directly affects legislators, voters, and the ballot initiative process by adding a mandatory public engagement step.

Maddy summaryHR 181 is a symbolic resolution recognizing April 11-17, 2025, as "Black Maternal Health Week" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise awareness about racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, specifically highlighting that Black women in Pennsylvania face maternal mortality rates twice as high as White women (148 vs. 74 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020) and that 93% of pregnancy-related deaths in the state are preventable. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but uses official recognition to spotlight these inequities, citing data on higher rates of complications and preventable deaths among Black mothers across Pennsylvania. It directly focuses attention on Black women in the state, particularly in high-impact areas like Philadelphia and Allegheny County.

Maddy summaryHB 32 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify income definitions for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate programs. It specifically adds a temporary exception: seniors who were already eligible for rebates as of December 31, 2012, may retain eligibility if their household income limit is exceeded solely due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This exception applies only to income increases from Social Security COLAs, not other income sources, and expires on December 31, 2016. The change directly affects seniors whose rebate eligibility was previously jeopardized by automatic Social Security payment increases.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for its 112-year commitment to social activism, academic excellence, and civic engagement in Pennsylvania. It specifically recognizes the sorority's members for their participation in "Delta Day" at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on May 5, 2025, where they connect with legislators and advance community-focused initiatives. The resolution acknowledges their work in areas like voting rights, healthcare access, economic empowerment, and support for historically Black colleges. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1174 amends Pennsylvania law governing meetings for condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities. It requires annual meetings to be scheduled with at least 21 days' notice (previously 10-60 days) and mandates written consent for electronic meeting notices. The bill also requires pre-election sessions for board candidates if more candidates apply than positions available, and allows meetings to be recorded with advance announcement, with recordings kept for six months. These changes directly affect all community associations and their unit owners by standardizing meeting procedures and enhancing transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 amends Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act to require major facilities (as defined in state code) to create and maintain municipal notification plans. These plans must alert nearby municipalities within 12 hours of air pollution incidents posing health risks, including communication methods, public safety measures, and annual updates. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations, raising daily fines to $37,500 after the fifth year of implementation based on factors like severity and environmental damage. This affects industrial facilities and their adjacent communities by mandating faster emergency communication and strengthening enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 990 amends Pennsylvania statutes to give boroughs and incorporated towns new authority over stormwater management. It requires municipalities to develop stormwater management plans and facilities, and allows them to charge fees based on property characteristics - particularly impervious surfaces like driveways, roofs, and pavement - which are presumed to benefit from stormwater systems. Property owners may qualify for fee exemptions or credits if they install approved stormwater facilities meeting "best management practices." The bill directly affects local governments (boroughs and incorporated towns) and property owners through new planning requirements and potential fees.

Maddy summaryHB 991 amends Pennsylvania's First Class Township Code to establish new storm water management authority for townships. It authorizes township boards to plan, construct, and maintain storm water facilities (like retention systems and piping) and acquire existing property owner systems through purchase or eminent domain. The bill requires townships to base fees for these systems on property characteristics, particularly impervious surfaces (e.g., roofs, driveways, parking lots), while allowing exemptions for properties with approved storm water management practices. All activities must comply with state storm water laws and approved watershed plans, directly affecting first-class townships and property owners paying associated fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to create two new provisions: (1) a tax deduction for fitness facilities that provide free or discounted memberships to active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, or reservists, limited to the regular membership fee and not reducing taxable income below zero; and (2) a personal health investment tax credit of up to $600 per year for eligible military members to cover qualified fitness expenses like gym memberships or exercise equipment. The deduction for facilities is only available if they did not claim the same expense for federal taxes. The credit applies to Pennsylvania resident individuals who qualify as active-duty military, National Guard, or reserve members under state definitions. These changes directly affect fitness businesses and military-affiliated taxpayers in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 337 requires Pennsylvania's Department of General Services to provide free menstrual hygiene products (such as tampons and pads) in at least half of all bathrooms across state-owned buildings, including government offices and courthouses. The bill mandates installation of dispensers and disposal bins, along with public signage, to ensure accessibility without cost to users. Exceptions apply to buildings without bathrooms or those not regularly occupied, such as storage facilities, maintenance sheds, or unoccupied structures. This policy change directly affects the general public using state buildings and the Department of General Services, which must implement the requirements within 60 days.