Rep. Seth Grove

Maddy summaryHB 1813 repeals Pennsylvania's 1932 Emergency Relief Sales Tax Act, which imposed a 1% tax on sales of tangible personal property during a specific six-month period ending February 1933. The bill removes this historical tax provision, which was designed to fund emergency relief during the Great Depression and expired decades ago. No new taxes, requirements, or affected parties are created by this repeal, as the original law was never active in modern times. This is a straightforward legislative cleanup of an obsolete statute with no current impact on taxpayers or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 would prohibit abortions for pregnancies at 24 or more weeks gestational age in Pennsylvania, directly affecting medical providers performing such procedures. The bill requires medical providers to examine for a fetal heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion and mandates that medical judgment be based on that examination. It also specifies that medical consultation must address the fetal heartbeat and the patient's condition. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee, with no further action taken as of July 16, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1690 amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to require claimants to report certain disability-related benefits when applying for unemployment benefits. It directly affects unemployed Pennsylvanians who receive disability benefits from workers' compensation, federal disability insurance, private disability insurance, or unpaid leave under federal family medical leave laws. The bill adds a new requirement that claimants must disclose these benefits to the Department of Labor to determine eligibility for unemployment compensation. The change takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1687 amends Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to change how the maximum number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive benefits is calculated. It bases the maximum weeks (ranging from 12 to 20) on the seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rate from the six months preceding the claim application date, using the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This directly affects Pennsylvania workers filing for unemployment benefits on or after the effective date, as their benefit duration will now adjust based on current statewide unemployment rates. The bill specifies that total benefits in a single year cannot exceed the weekly benefit amount multiplied by the weeks determined under this new formula. The change takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1692 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to protect workers facing domestic violence and clarify employer cost relief. It adds a new provision (Section 402.7) stating workers who leave jobs due to domestic violence safety risks cannot be disqualified for unemployment benefits. The bill also revises existing rules to provide employers relief from extra charges when workers are separated for reasons like willful misconduct or certain discharges. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania workers seeking unemployment benefits and employers paying into the unemployment fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1688 updates Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to adjust the calculation method for weekly benefit amounts. It sets a minimum weekly benefit of $68 (previously lower) and revises the wage-to-benefit table, linking higher average quarterly wages to increased weekly payments (e.g., wages of $1,688-$1,712 now yield $68 weekly). This directly affects unemployed Pennsylvania workers who qualify for state unemployment benefits, ensuring their payments align with current wage levels. The bill modifies specific sections of the 1936 law governing benefit rates without changing eligibility rules or employer contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 1691 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to adjust the earnings requirement for workers seeking benefits after certain job separations. It increases the required earnings from six to fifteen times the weekly benefit rate in the 10 weeks following a disqualifying separation (e.g., quitting for personal reasons or being terminated). The bill also adds a provision exempting workers who took a leave of absence and made reasonable efforts to return to work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who left jobs under disqualifying circumstances but meet the new earnings threshold. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1598 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to clarify and strengthen oversight of agency rules. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private sector, requiring agencies to include detailed cost estimates in regulatory proposals. The bill mandates agencies submit these cost analyses (prepared by the Independent Fiscal Office) with all new rules and adds a 14-day review window for committees if they object to economically significant regulations. This ensures greater transparency and legislative input before major rules take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 463 prohibits "speculative ticketing," which involves buying event tickets to resell them at significantly higher prices before the event occurs. It directly affects consumers who face inflated prices and ticket sellers engaging in this practice. The bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices Law to ban buying or selling tickets for profit based on anticipated demand, not actual ownership. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, and is now pending review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 18-24, 2025, as "Public Works Week" in Pennsylvania. It honors public works professionals - including engineers, contractors, and municipal staff - who maintain essential infrastructure like roads, water systems, and emergency services, recognizing their role in community safety and quality of life. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new laws or funding.