Rep. Arvind Venkat

Maddy summaryHB 79 requires hospitals to establish clear financial assistance programs for patients who cannot afford care, including standardized forms and easily accessible information about eligibility and coverage. It mandates that hospitals publicly share details about their financial aid policies and report their program rules to the Department of Health. These requirements directly affect hospitals operating in the state and patients seeking financial help with medical bills. The bill aims to standardize and increase transparency in hospital financial aid offerings.

Maddy summaryHB 926 requires healthcare facilities to establish violence prevention committees to address workplace violence. These committees must develop safety plans, and facilities must report violent incidents to the Department of Labor and Industry. The Department gains authority to enforce compliance, impose fines, and issue administrative penalties for violations. This bill directly affects hospitals, clinics, and all healthcare workplaces covered under state labor regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 establishes Pennsylvania's Keystone Saves Program, creating a state-run savings initiative for low-to-moderate income residents. The bill sets up a dedicated program fund and administrative fund managed by the Treasury Department, which will handle investments while adhering to fiduciary responsibilities. An advisory board will oversee program implementation and ensure it meets the needs of participants. This program directly affects eligible Pennsylvanians by providing a structured savings option, with the Treasury Department responsible for managing funds and investments.

Maddy summaryHB 504, the Community Energy Act, establishes a framework for third-party-owned community energy projects (like solar gardens) in Pennsylvania. It requires electric distribution companies to connect these facilities, provides bill credits to subscribers (homeowners, renters, and businesses) for energy generated, and ensures guaranteed savings by linking subscription payments to bill reductions. Key provisions include setting size limits (max 5,000 kW for most facilities), mandating that at least 50% of subscriptions come from small users or farms, and requiring fair wages for construction workers. The bill directly affects electric companies (with new connection duties), community energy organizations (as owners/operators), and subscribers (who gain access to shared renewable energy).

Maddy summaryHB 500 repeals existing tax credit provisions for local resource manufacturing (petrochemicals/fertilizers) and Pennsylvania milk processing, while creating new tax credits for clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. It establishes tax credits for reliable energy investments, regional clean hydrogen hubs, semiconductor manufacturing, biomedical research, geothermal energy, and sustainable aviation fuel. Eligible businesses must meet specific criteria for capital investment, job creation, and project location to apply for these credits through the Department of Revenue. The bill also updates definitions and application processes for these new credits, with annual funding limits and rules for credit usage.

Maddy summaryHB 1495 repeals Pennsylvania’s 1921 law imposing a tax on anthracite coal (P.L.479, No.225). This 104-year-old statute, which set declining tax rates (1.5% to 0.5%) and required annual reporting for coal mined or processed in the state, expired in 1931 and has not been enforced since. The bill formally removes this obsolete law from the state’s statutes, as it no longer affects any current tax obligations or regulations. No entities or individuals are directly impacted by this repeal, as the original tax was already inactive for over nine decades.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change when proposed constitutional amendments must be voted on by voters. It requires that such amendments be submitted at the first general election occurring at least three months after both legislative chambers approve the amendment, removing the option for municipal elections. This affects state lawmakers who propose constitutional amendments and voters who will cast ballots on these measures. The bill does not alter the content of amendments or voting rules, only the timing and type of election used for their submission.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 creates a pilot program allowing eligible Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) to practice independently in Pennsylvania's health professional shortage areas. To qualify, CRNPs must hold a current license, have no disciplinary actions in the past five years, and complete 3,600 hours of collaborative practice with a physician in primary care (family, internal medicine, gynecology, or pediatrics) within the last five years. Under the program, participating CRNPs can prescribe medications and practice without a collaborative agreement in shortage areas, but must disclose their non-physician status to patients and notify the board if they change practice settings. The program requires biennial renewal with 10 hours of additional patient safety continuing education and limits practice to primary care within designated shortage areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1484 increases Pennsylvania jury compensation to a flat $40 per day for all days jurors serve, replacing the previous tiered rate ($9 for first three days, $25 after). It also sets a travel allowance of 17¢ per mile circular (with no allowance in the first judicial district) and allows county commissioners to choose how jurors receive payments (e.g., check, debit card), without changing the compensation amount. The bill directly affects all Pennsylvanians summoned to serve on juries statewide. It makes no changes to eligibility or jury service requirements, only to payment structure and methods.

Maddy summaryHB 630 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against wage discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity. It adds definitions for "comparable work" (requiring similar skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions) and clarifies that "wages" include all compensation like fringe benefits. The bill explicitly bans employers from requiring employees to refrain from discussing wages, using salary history to set pay, or asking about prior wages during hiring. It also establishes an Equal Pay Enforcement Fund to support enforcement efforts and clarifies that job titles alone cannot determine if jobs are comparable.