Rep. Seth Grove

Maddy summaryHB 1444 creates new regulations for association health plans (AHPs) under Pennsylvania's insurance code. It defines key terms like "association" (groups of employers in the same industry or profession) and sets requirements for coverage, rates, and insurer filings. The bill directly affects employers forming AHPs, health insurers offering these plans, and individuals enrolled in them. It adds enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance, while repealing outdated sections of the insurance code.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify how mail-in voters must return their ballots. It requires that completed mail-in ballots be returned by 8:00 PM on election day via one of three methods: U.S. Postal Service to county election offices, in person at county election offices during regular hours, or at designated ballot return locations. Ballot return locations must be on county election premises or courthouses, monitored by election inspectors from both major parties, and equipped with video recording for public review. This bill directly affects mail-in voters and county election boards across Pennsylvania by standardizing ballot return procedures and accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1298 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to allow certain absentee voters to apply for a ballot after the standard 15-day deadline (by 5 PM on the fifteenth day before an election) if they face unexpected circumstances like sudden illness, unforeseen work obligations, or last-minute travel plans that prevented timely application. Voters must submit a sworn declaration explaining their situation and confirming eligibility under the new provisions, under penalty of perjury. The bill does not change the existing application rules for mail-in ballots, which require applications to be received 50 days before an election and processed by the 15th day prior.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 210) designates the week of May 18-24, 2025, as "National Public Works Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes public works professionals - including engineers, managers, and employees - who maintain infrastructure like roads, water systems, and public buildings. The resolution urges Pennsylvanians to participate in events honoring these workers and acknowledges their role in community health, safety, and quality of life. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1219 establishes a new Office of Information Technology and an Information Technology Fund to consolidate Pennsylvania state government IT operations. The bill requires all state agencies to follow new procurement rules, including business case reviews and five-year budget limits for significant IT projects, to reduce costs and improve efficiency. It also creates a Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee to strengthen data protection and mandates better cybersecurity practices for all state IT systems. The bill directly affects all Pennsylvania state agencies responsible for managing information technology and cybersecurity.

Maddy summaryHB 1218 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to enhance election oversight. It creates an "independent prosecutor" appointed 90 days before primaries to review election complaints (Section 1778), requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to maintain a fraud hotline and share reports with this prosecutor (Section 201(i)), and mandates county boards to cooperate with election integrity officers (Section 302(n.1)). The bill also requires counties to provide authorized representatives meaningful access to observe absentee ballot canvassing, record meetings with audio-visual recordings (available only after polls close), and investigate concerns (Section 1308(j)). These changes directly affect state election officials, county boards, and election integrity officers by adding new reporting duties, oversight mechanisms, and transparency requirements for election processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to modernize election administration across all stages. It establishes a Bureau of Election Audits, clarifies the Secretary of the Commonwealth's duties, and requires county boards to select polling places in public buildings where possible. The bill updates rules for election officers (including party balance requirements), mandates accessible voting machine standards, and expands voter rights protections for seniors and disabled voters. It also revises procedures for absentee and mail-in ballots, voting machine inspections, and clarifies penalties for election code violations. This comprehensive bill directly affects county election officials, polling place staff, and all voters participating in Pennsylvania elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1199 requires all bills and joint resolutions introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include a preamble clearly stating the original purpose of the legislation. This procedural change directly affects legislators, staff, and drafters who prepare new bills. The key provision mandates that every introduced bill must contain this concise purpose statement in its preamble, aiming to increase transparency about legislative intent. The bill is procedural in nature and does not address substantive policy issues.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 requires nonprofit organizations entering public-private partnerships with the Pennsylvania state government (via executive order) to meet new transparency standards. Specifically, these nonprofits must comply with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, submit annual financial reports to the Governor and General Assembly using standard government accounting practices, publicly disclose all purchases involving state officials within 10 business days, and adhere to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The bill directly affects nonprofit entities partnering with the Commonwealth, imposing mandatory disclosure and reporting obligations. It takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to increase accountability in state-funded nonprofit partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 repeals two sections of Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act that required school districts to form a local tax study commission and hold public referendums before levying certain taxes. Specifically, it removes the requirement for school districts to create a commission to study tax policies and make nonbinding recommendations (Section 331) and eliminates the need for voter approval via referendum before imposing earned income or personal income taxes (Section 332). This bill directly affects Pennsylvania school districts by simplifying their tax levy process, as they will no longer need to conduct the study or seek referendum approval for these specific tax types. The repeal streamlines administrative steps without altering the tax authority itself.