Rep. Tim Brennan

Maddy summaryHR 92 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study the feasibility of county-led consolidated busing for all public and private school students. The study will evaluate potential cost savings, operational efficiencies, and benefits compared to current district-by-district transportation systems, while reviewing models from other states. It also requires the Commission to assess debt management for districts transitioning to consolidated service and propose necessary legislation. The Commission must submit findings and recommendations to relevant House committees within 12 months or by December 31, 2026. This resolution does not enact any policy changes but initiates a review of transportation costs affecting all school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 738 designates a specific stretch of State Route 1006 (Ferry Road) in Doylestown Township, Bucks County, as the "Judge R. Barry McAndrews Memorial Highway." The bill honors Judge McAndrews' life and service, including his role as a Bucks County Court of Common Pleas judge and President Judge. The only concrete action is requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain highway signs bearing the new name. This is a ceremonial designation with no substantive policy changes or direct impacts beyond the road signage.

Maddy summaryHB 750 requires municipalities to hold a voter referendum before approving new "high impact warehouses or distribution centers" that meet specific size thresholds (3+ acres or 100,000+ square feet). The bill defines these facilities as large-scale logistics operations (excluding retail) and mandates that governing bodies must submit such projects to a public vote at the next election occurring at least 100 days after initial approval. Ballots must include details like location, acreage, and building size, with approval requiring a majority "yes" vote. This directly affects local governments and developers seeking to build qualifying facilities, adding a new layer of community input to the approval process under Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code.

Maddy summaryHB 609 requires builders to notify residential property owners about construction defects they discover. Builders must send a written notice within 30 days via certified mail, including a description of the defect, the reason for knowing about it, and their contact information. This applies only to residential properties and does not apply if 15+ years have passed since construction. Builders who fail to notify (without reasonable cause) must pay the owner’s actual damages, but the notice itself doesn’t create liability or limit other legal remedies. The bill takes effect in 60 days.

Maddy summaryHB 658 allows first-class cities and townships in Pennsylvania to temporarily hire retired police officers back for up to five years to address staffing shortages. Police departments must establish a program where retired officers complete an eight-week training course and agree not to have disciplinary records. Retired officers must choose between keeping their full retirement benefits or temporarily pausing them during participation, with credited service for retirement benefits applied upon return. The program expires six years after implementation and only applies to officers retiring before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 669 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to establish standardized early voting procedures for all county elections. The bill requires counties to offer in-person early voting for 30 days before each election (ending the day before Election Day), with specific operating hours: weekday mornings to mid-afternoon, extended hours on the final weekend, and additional holiday hours. It mandates county boards to set up permanent early voting locations based on population size (e.g., at least one location in each of the three largest municipalities in counties over 250,000 people). This directly affects all registered Pennsylvania voters by expanding access to early voting through structured, location-based provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 98 creates a licensing system for electrical contractors, electricians, and apprentice electricians in Pennsylvania. It establishes the State Board of Electrical Licensure to set qualifications, require continuing education, mandate liability insurance, and enforce standards. The bill directly affects individuals and businesses performing electrical work in buildings, including installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems. Key provisions include setting licensing fees, imposing fines for violations, and creating enforcement mechanisms for the Board to suspend or revoke licenses. The bill also includes an appropriation for the Board's operations.

Maddy summaryHB 662 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to clarify definitions and add new requirements for site owners. It updates the definition of "department" to specify the Department of Environmental Protection and creates a new section requiring owners of identified contaminated sites to conduct annual release testing for hazardous substances. Owners must also reimburse the department as outlined in existing section 507. This bill directly affects property owners at sites containing hazardous substances above background levels, including federal Superfund sites. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 665 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to strengthen testing requirements for residual waste facilities. It requires facilities handling residual waste to test incoming waste and outgoing drainage water (leachate) for specific contaminants: water quality chemicals (chloride, bromide, sulfate, nitrate), hazardous characteristics (toxicity, corrosivity, ignitability), and naturally occurring radionuclides (uranium, radium, radon). Facilities must compare these test results quarterly and report them to the state environmental department and local municipalities. This directly affects waste processing and landfill operators managing residual waste, ensuring more comprehensive monitoring of potential environmental impacts.

Maddy summaryHR 78 is a resolution directing Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission to study how effectively the state supports infants affected by prenatal substance exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It requires forming an advisory committee - including health, human services, and substance use experts plus a parent with lived experience - to evaluate current "plans of safe care" implementation, including barriers like duplicate reporting requirements and gaps in tracking infant outcomes. The study will assess coordination between health, child welfare, and treatment systems, cost implications, and alignment of policies across agencies. The committee must issue findings within 18 months, focusing on improving support for infants and families without changing existing laws.