Maddy summaryHB 84 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to prohibit the road spreading and land application of oil and gas wastewater (including "tophole water" and "production water") for purposes like dust suppression, road deicing, or road bed stabilization. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators and municipalities handling this wastewater by banning these specific disposal methods, except for limited well-site applications under existing regulations. Key provisions include banning wastewater from being spread on roads or applied to land (except for well-site use per 25 Pa. Code § 78.60/78a.60) and prohibiting vehicles equipped to spread such wastewater. The law also clarifies that wastewater used for these purposes cannot be classified as a "coproduct" under department regulations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 28, 2026, as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania. It aims to raise public awareness about HIV criminalization - where individuals with HIV face criminal charges for non-transmission behaviors - and highlights how such laws disproportionately impact marginalized groups like people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution emphasizes current public health consensus that people with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex, and that HIV treatment is prevention. It is a symbolic statement, not a law, intended to encourage education and dialogue about ending outdated HIV-related criminal penalties.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create a centralized online database tracking all utility rates and rate increase requests. The database must be searchable by company, entity, utility type, year, or docket number and will store information for at least the previous 20 years. The commission must update the database within 10 days of receiving a new rate increase request and may hire a third party to manage the system. This change directly affects utility customers by making historical pricing data more accessible and transparent.
Maddy summaryHR 384 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study whether implementing statewide and precinct-level ballot rotation systems would be feasible. The study would examine how rotating candidate order on ballots (to address "ballot order effects" where position may create unfair advantages) could work under state law, including costs, legal constraints, and operational impacts on election offices. It would analyze different rotation approaches for various election types and offices, and produce a report with recommendations for potential future policy changes. The resolution itself does not change election rules but would inform future legislative decisions if the study finds implementation feasible.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's tax incentives for computer data centers by adding new requirements for owners and operators seeking tax refunds or exemptions. To qualify, facilities must submit detailed applications including investment projections and signed affirmations from authorized executives. Additionally, the legislation mandates that certified data centers obtain an environmental certification, such as LEED Silver or Energy Star, within two years of receiving their initial certification.
Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates April 2026 as "National Arab American Heritage Month" to honor the state's significant Arab American community. The measure highlights the group's long history in the region, their diverse contributions to society, and their cultural traditions. It also acknowledges the challenges of discrimination faced by Arab Americans and encourages residents to celebrate their heritage.
Maddy summaryHB 2506 prevents Pennsylvania counties, municipalities, and townships from passing local laws that restrict the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms and ammunition, as long as those items are not already banned by state or federal law. The bill also stops local governments from suing gun manufacturers or dealers for damages related to how firearms are designed, manufactured, or sold to the public. Additionally, it removes the specific authority for municipalities to regulate firearms entirely, ensuring that gun policy remains a state-level responsibility rather than a local one.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Second Class County Code to prohibit these counties from passing laws or taking actions that regulate firearms. Specifically, it removes the existing provision that allowed second-class counties to create ordinances regarding the transfer, ownership, transportation, or possession of guns. The change directly affects local governments in second-class counties by restricting their ability to implement their own gun control measures. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after it is passed.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to clarify which specific sexual offenses involving children must be reported and to strengthen reporting protocols for staff at schools and medical facilities. It explicitly requires mandated reporters to file a report if they suspect a child is involved in the creation, display, or possession of child sexual abuse material or artificially generated images of children, regardless of whether the minor created the content. Additionally, the legislation mandates that institution staff notify their supervisor immediately after making a report and ensures that institutions cooperate fully with subsequent investigations. The changes will not take effect until one year after the bill is passed.
Maddy summaryHB 1077 establishes the Commission on Children's Vision within Pennsylvania's Department of Education and Department of Health to address children's vision care needs. The commission will develop statewide plans and low-cost programs for vision screenings, follow-up exams, and glasses for students who need them, while coordinating with local vision care providers. It must issue annual reports by December 31 detailing program achievements, trends in unmet vision care needs, and recommendations for improving access. The commission, composed of state education/health officials and 12 vision care professionals, will not receive compensation but will receive administrative support from the departments. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania schoolchildren requiring vision care and the state departments responsible for health and education services.