Rep. Mandy Steele

Maddy summaryHB 642 increases penalties for oil and gas regulation violations in Pennsylvania. It raises fines for general violations from $1,000 to $2,000 per day and for willful violations from $5,000 to $10,000 per day, with potential jail time. The bill also prohibits the department from waiving these fines and specifies that the department, Attorney General, or county prosecutors can pursue penalties. This directly affects oil and gas operators who violate state regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 675 bans the sale or distribution of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania starting January 1, 2028, directly affecting manufacturers, sellers, and distributors of such gear. The law includes an exception if the State Fire Commissioner determines PFAS use is unavoidable and issues official guidance. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses, with fines split equally between the Fire Company Grant Program and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. This bill aims to reduce exposure to harmful PFAS chemicals while maintaining safety standards for firefighters.

Maddy summaryHB 683 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to set specific student-to-teacher ratio limits for public school classes. It requires superintendents to maintain ratios of 24:1 (max 29 students) in kindergarten, 24:1 (max 30 students) in grades 1-3, 25:1 (max 35 students) in grades 4-6, and 24:1 (max 35 students) in grades 7-12. If ratios exceed these limits, superintendents must notify parents within 10 days and submit a reduction plan to the Department of Education within 30 days. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public school districts and their superintendents, with exemptions for specialized classes like music or physical education.

Maddy summaryHB 588 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to require registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to complete one hour of mandatory continuing education focused on older adult abuse recognition and reporting during each biennial license renewal period. This requirement applies to all license renewals (except initial licensure) and includes specific documentation rules, such as retaining certificates for five years and submitting them upon request. Failure to complete this hour may delay license renewal, trigger disciplinary action under existing penalties, or require remediation within six months. The bill directly affects nursing license holders in Pennsylvania seeking renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation of their licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new limits for lead in soil at playgrounds and adjacent areas in Pennsylvania. It requires that bare soil on playgrounds must not exceed 200 parts per million (ppm) of lead, and soil in the surrounding yard must not exceed 1,200 ppm. The Department of Environmental Protection will enforce these limits and can issue compliance orders or penalties for violations involving owners or operators of playgrounds, schools, child care centers, and other entities maintaining such areas. These requirements directly affect public and private facilities where children play, aiming to reduce lead exposure risks.

Maddy summaryHB 584 creates a program to help Pennsylvania homeowners address lead paint hazards in older homes. It establishes a Lead Abatement Grant Program, where municipalities receive competitive grants to fund lead hazard control work (like paint removal or soil cleanup) for single-family homes and rental properties. The program prioritizes low-income households (under 50% of median income) and homes with children under six. Funding comes from a 50¢ surcharge on each gallon of architectural paint sold to consumers, deposited into a dedicated Lead Abatement Assistance Fund. The surcharge applies to standard interior/exterior paint for homeowners or businesses, not industrial or aerosol products.

Maddy summaryHB 578 sets a new maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per trillion for specific PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS) in public drinking water systems across Pennsylvania. This directly affects municipal water providers and the residents who rely on tap water, requiring them to meet this stricter standard. The bill establishes this limit unless federal or state agencies set a higher standard, in which case those standards would take precedence. Water systems must comply with this level, and the Department of Environmental Protection must publish any federal/state standards in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 574 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to update definitions and establish emergency water protections. It specifically adds PFAS chemicals (like PFOA and PFOS) to the definition of "hazardous substance" and creates a new designation for "special drinking water resource-impacted communities" when groundwater or surface water exceeds 10 parts per trillion of PFAS over a 12-month average or contains other pollutants threatening public water supplies. The bill grants the Governor authority to declare such communities and set immediate emergency water standards and cleanup requirements without waiting for full site remediation. This directly affects municipalities with contaminated water sources, particularly those dealing with PFAS contamination requiring urgent public health responses. The changes aim to streamline emergency actions for communities facing immediate drinking water risks from hazardous substances.

Maddy summaryHR 75 amends House Rule 66(a) to clarify procedures for members voting by designation or remotely. It allows members absent from the House floor or committee meetings to designate a Whip or committee chair to cast their vote, requiring written attestation to the Chief Clerk or committee chair. Remote voting for committee meetings is permitted with identity verification and video conferencing technology, with all designated or remote votes counting toward quorum. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania House members who cannot attend sessions in person.

Maddy summaryHB 555 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to align state campaign contribution limits with federal standards under 52 U.S.C. § 30116. It defines "valuable thing" to clarify in-kind contributions (like volunteer services, food under $250, or modest property use) that do not count toward reporting limits. The bill requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to certify and publish these federal-based limits annually. This affects candidates, political committees, and campaign donors in Pennsylvania elections, effective January 1, 2026.