Rep. Joe McAndrew

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the fees that constables and deputy constables can charge for their services in both civil and criminal cases. It directly affects law enforcement officers who perform duties such as serving legal documents, transporting defendants, and providing courtroom security. The legislation increases the dollar amounts for various tasks, such as raising the fee for executing an arrest warrant from $25 to $50 and adjusting costs for transporting prisoners and holding defendants in court. Additionally, the bill establishes a new $10 surcharge for each criminal case where a constable provides a service, while ensuring that indigent defendants in criminal cases are not held financially responsible for this fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires minors under 18 in Pennsylvania to complete educational materials on distracted driving and work zone safety before they can take their driver's license exam. Additionally, the written test for a driver's license will include at least one question about safe driving in work zones, and the state driver's manual will be updated to cover this topic. These changes aim to ensure that new drivers, particularly young ones, have specific knowledge about hazards in construction areas and while using electronic devices before they are licensed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Municipal and Emergency Responder Solar Grant Program to provide financial assistance for solar energy projects at government facilities and emergency service locations such as fire stations and police departments. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program on a competitive basis, offering grants to cover costs like equipment purchase, installation, and energy storage. To receive funding, applicants must submit a detailed proposal that includes a site assessment and an affidavit confirming that all construction contractors meet specific licensing, insurance, and safety training requirements. The Department is also tasked with developing application guidelines, providing technical assistance, and creating educational materials to help eligible entities navigate the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow club license holders to apply for special permits that extend their hours for serving food only between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM. It also mandates that when a licensee must stop serving alcohol, all patrons must leave the area used for alcohol service within 30 minutes and cannot take any remaining drinks with them. These changes aim to clarify rules for specific license types, including restaurants, hotels, and distributors, while repealing older provisions regarding the surrender of club licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Net Operating Loss Transfer Program in Pennsylvania to allow certain new or expanding biotechnology and technology businesses to sell their unused tax losses to other companies. The program specifically targets businesses that have been operating in the state for five years or less and employ at least 15% of their U.S. workforce within Pennsylvania. Under the new rules, these "selling taxpayers" can transfer the value of their tax benefits to "purchasing taxpayers," who may then use those benefits to offset their own taxable income. The legislation also updates penalty provisions for tax violations and renumbers existing sections of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 to reflect these changes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill prohibits the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, to a wide range of consumer products including cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, and artificial turf. While the law generally bans these chemicals, it allows for their use in specific items if the Department of Environmental Protection determines that no safer alternative exists and the chemical is critical for the product's function. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with enforcing these restrictions, managing a public database of PFAS information, and imposing penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws to exclude sales tax from the calculation of interchange fees charged on credit and debit card transactions. It requires payment card networks to either deduct the tax amount from these fees at the time of settlement or refund a proportional portion of the fee if the tax was not initially separated. The legislation defines specific terms like "interchange fee" and "electronic payment transaction" to clarify which fees are affected and outlines penalties for networks that fail to comply, including fines and mandatory refunds to merchants.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure highlights the importance of early detection and screening for men, noting that the disease primarily affects older males and can be asymptomatic for years. While the primary function is symbolic, the bill also includes a provision urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would mandate health insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to update how benefits are calculated and distributed, particularly for cases involving death or long-term injuries. It clarifies that pre-injury settlement agreements are generally invalid and ensures that workers can still sue for damages even if they receive certain other benefits, while also adjusting how unemployment and Social Security payments offset workers' compensation awards. The legislation establishes a new schedule for paying death benefits to dependents and creates a minimum weekly compensation floor of $100 for injuries occurring before 1993, with state funding to cover the difference. Additionally, it updates definitions and procedures for self-insured employers and the Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund to improve administrative clarity.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Allegheny River Boulevard in western Pennsylvania as an official scenic byway to recognize its scenic, historic, and recreational value. The primary mechanism of the law restricts the placement of outdoor advertising signs near the road to preserve the visual quality of the route, with specific distance limits and exceptions for official signs, real estate listings, and directional markers. Additionally, the legislation requires state travel maps to highlight this route and explain the reasons for its designation. The changes directly affect property owners along the corridor and state agencies responsible for transportation and tourism mapping.