Rep. Tarik Khan

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 397) urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2540, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. The resolution supports increasing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limits from $2,000 (individual) and $3,000 (couple) to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively - adjusting for inflation since 1989. It directly affects SSI recipients (primarily seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals) who currently lose benefits or face penalties for holding savings or assets above current limits. The resolution notes that current rules cause over 70,000 annual benefit reductions and 40,000 terminations, limiting financial security and housing options.

Maddy summaryHB 2148 requires Pennsylvania school entities (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to adopt policies ensuring all students, parents, guardians, and school personnel can access school property regardless of immigration status. Specifically, schools must develop and publicly adopt inclusive policies within 90 days of the bill’s effective date, requiring school boards to approve these policies via public resolution with 45 days’ notice. Policies must be published in all languages spoken by students at home and reviewed quarterly to maintain accessibility. The bill explicitly prohibits immigration or law enforcement officials (including ICE, Customs, and local agencies acting under federal immigration authority) from restricting access to school zones without proper legal process. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public and private schools serving students, mandating concrete procedural changes to protect school access.

Maddy summaryHB 2129 repeals an existing provision about the expiration of unconventional gas well fees and establishes a new severance tax on natural gas extracted from unconventional gas wells. The tax applies to producers (companies or individuals extracting natural gas) starting July 1 of the year after the bill's effective date, calculated using base and additional tax rates. It creates a new tax administration framework in Chapter 43 of Pennsylvania's oil and gas statutes, including penalties for non-compliance. The bill explicitly states this new tax does not affect the existing collection and distribution of the unconventional gas well fee.

Maddy summaryHB 2130 renames the Fort Duquesne Bridge on U.S. Route 279 over the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh as the Franco Harris Bridge. This commemorative bill honors Franco Harris, the late Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back and community advocate, by renaming a specific bridge in his hometown. The bill does not create new policies or affect any regulations - its sole purpose is to rename the bridge. The legislation is procedural and has no direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2127 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to adjust tax credit rules for waterfront development projects. It increases the maximum tax credit for businesses from 75% to 90% of their contribution and doubles the annual cap on total credits from $5 million to $10 million. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to review applications and renewals from waterfront development organizations within 60 days and limits contributions used for future maintenance to no more than 15%. These changes directly affect businesses contributing to waterfront development projects and the organizations managing these projects.

Maddy summaryHB 2125 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to strengthen tenant protections in rental properties. It restricts evictions to four specific reasons: nonpayment of rent, a second or subsequent lease violation within six months, a change in land use, or property termination. The bill requires landlords to provide written notices via certified mail before eviction proceedings, with 20-day notice for rent nonpayment (April-September) or 30 days otherwise, and prohibits self-help evictions like lockouts. It also mandates that community rules be uniformly applied to all tenants and posted clearly, with a required "Important Notice" explaining tenant rights and eviction procedures. This bill directly affects tenants and landlords in rental properties governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryHB 2126 requires Pennsylvania residents to obtain a new "firearm eligibility license" to purchase a firearm, making it illegal to possess a firearm without this license. The bill adds an exception allowing individuals with an expired carry license (within six months) to carry a firearm without penalty if eligible for renewal. It also ensures that individuals prohibited from possessing a firearm (including those without the eligibility license) cannot obtain a license to carry, affecting both firearm purchasers and carry license applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 2111 amends Pennsylvania's abortion laws to restrict public facilities and funds. It prohibits publicly owned hospitals, clinics, or government entities from leasing property, entering contracts, or using public funds to support abortion services - except for cases where abortion is necessary to save a mother's life, or to terminate pregnancies resulting from rape or incest that have been reported to law enforcement (with specific documentation requirements). The bill also bans public funds from being used for legal services related to abortion access or restrictions, and requires strict verification of rape/incest reports before funding can be approved for those exceptions. These changes directly affect public health facilities, government agencies, and providers receiving public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2110 repeals existing restrictions on using public funds for abortions under Pennsylvania's Human Services Code. It removes Section 453, which previously limited state/local government funding for abortions except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest (with reporting requirements). The bill also abrogates a related regulation (55 Pa. Code § 1163.62(a)). This change directly affects public assistance programs and healthcare providers receiving state funds, eliminating the prior legal barriers to funding abortion services. The policy shift removes specific restrictions but does not establish new funding rules for public assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1825 amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to require employers to establish clear anti-discrimination policies and procedures for handling workplace complaints. It directly affects all businesses and organizations in Pennsylvania that employ people. The bill mandates specific steps for documenting and investigating discrimination claims, such as requiring written procedures for reporting incidents. It also expands the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's authority to enforce these requirements.