Rep. Tarik Khan

Maddy summaryHB 764 establishes the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a program that provides grants to support the construction, renovation, or expansion of grocery stores, farmers' markets, and retail food businesses in underserved low-income and moderate-income communities across Pennsylvania. The initiative prioritizes projects located in, owned by, or primarily serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, as defined by population data from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will administer the program, develop eligibility guidelines, and ensure grants promote local food systems, job creation, and the use of Pennsylvania agricultural products. The bill also creates a dedicated "Fresh Food Financing Initiative Restricted Account" to hold program funds.

Maddy summaryHB 472 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to support minors experiencing homelessness (defined as individuals under 18 meeting federal homelessness criteria under 42 U.S.C. § 11434A). It allows these minors to use temporary addresses (like schools or shelters) for license applications, substitute school/social worker signatures for parental/guardian signatures, and waive initial license/ID fees. The bill directly affects homeless youth under 18 seeking driver's licenses or learner's permits in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include updated definitions in Section 102, revised application requirements in Sections 1505(g), 1506(c), and 1507(a), and fee waivers in Sections 1510(k) and 1951(e).

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1175 amends Pennsylvania's Religious Freedom Protection Act to clarify that municipalities cannot restrict land use for religious organizations' charitable activities within existing facilities. It defines "charitable use" to include relief of poverty, education, advancement of religion, and disease prevention/treatment. The bill prohibits local governments from regulating these charitable uses related to religious practice unless the regulation is necessary to protect community health/safety/welfare and no less restrictive alternative exists. This directly affects religious organizations operating in Pennsylvania and local municipalities managing land use rules. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates April 14-18, 2025, as "Local Government Week" and April 16, 2025, as "Local Government Day" within the state. It formally recognizes the role of local government units - such as counties, cities, townships, boroughs, and municipal authorities - by commending officials and employees who provide essential services to residents. The resolution highlights that Pennsylvania's local governments serve over 13 million people through nearly 166,000 employees and thousands of volunteer officials. It has no binding policy effect and serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of local government contributions.

Maddy summaryHR 180 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing April 13-19, 2025, as "Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors telecommunicators who handle 911 calls, process approximately 14.5 million emergency requests annually, and provide critical support during crises. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges their service through a designated week of recognition. This applies directly to Pennsylvania’s public safety telecommunicators, who serve as first responders during emergencies.

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 1183 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt adoption fees charged by qualifying nonprofit animal shelters from sales tax. The bill specifically excludes fees paid to nonprofit "releasing agencies" (as defined by Pennsylvania's Dog Law) that do not charge more than the actual costs of caring for the animal. This change directly affects nonprofit shelters meeting both criteria: (1) being a registered releasing agency under the Dog Law, and (2) charging fees covering only care expenses. The tax exclusion takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 325 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how school districts must present tax relief information to property owners. It adds a definition of "conspicuous" requiring notices to use larger text, contrasting colors, or special formatting that a reasonable person would notice. The bill mandates that school districts include a specific, conspicuous notice with tax bills for homestead and farmstead property owners, explaining that their tax reduction comes from casino gaming revenue (State Gaming Fund) under state law, not from the school district's actions. This affects all Pennsylvania property owners eligible for homestead/farmstead exclusions and the school districts that issue their tax bills, effective for taxable years after December 31, 2025.