Rep. Mandy Steele

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the funding rules for magisterial district judges and Philadelphia municipal court judges in Pennsylvania. It raises their annual registration fee from $200 to $600 starting in 2025 and establishes a mechanism to automatically increase this fee each year based on the Consumer Price Index. The legislation also clarifies that the Office of the Court Administrator will cover the cost of publishing a monthly legal journal, while other expenses will be funded through existing annual appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum energy and water efficiency standards for a specific list of products sold or installed in Pennsylvania, including commercial kitchen equipment, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. It requires that these items meet performance benchmarks to reduce utility waste, lower costs for consumers and businesses, and decrease strain on energy and water infrastructure. The legislation mandates testing, certification, and labeling for compliance while imposing penalties for violations, though it excludes products manufactured in-state for out-of-state sale and those designed for recreational vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Travel Price Integrity Act, aims to protect consumers from sudden price hikes when booking transportation online. It prohibits travel service providers, such as airlines or ride-sharing apps, from changing prices while a user is viewing or purchasing a service for at least 30 minutes after they first visit the website. Additionally, companies must notify customers at least five minutes before this 30-minute window ends if a price change is planned. Violations of these rules would be treated as unfair trade practices under existing state consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 20, 2024, as "Candidate Pledge Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the efforts of Hannah-Kate McFadden in promoting civility among political candidates. The bill does not create new laws or change existing regulations but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage elected officials and candidates to sign a pledge against bullying, name-calling, and inflammatory rhetoric. By recognizing this date, the measure aims to highlight the importance of compromise and respectful discourse in the political process without imposing any mandatory requirements on officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws to ban businesses from charging extra fees or higher interest rates to customers who choose to pay by mail or receive paper statements. The measure directly affects consumers and financial institutions by prohibiting differential pricing based on the method of payment or billing delivery. While businesses remain allowed to offer discounts for choosing electronic options, they cannot penalize customers for preferring traditional mail or paper communications. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially recognizes March 8, 2024, as International Women's Day within the state. The measure aims to honor the diverse accomplishments and aspirations of women by encouraging residents to participate in related events and activities. It highlights the significant contributions of women in various fields, including government, science, and the arts, while specifically noting the increased number of women in Pennsylvania's legislative leadership roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selling and using high-PAH sealants, which are used in roofing and waterproofing projects, by setting a sales ban effective January 1, 2025, and an application ban starting January 1, 2026. It allows local governments to create their own laws to enforce these restrictions, provided they are at least as strict as a model ordinance that the state Department of Environmental Protection will draft. The bill also changes how fines are handled, permitting municipalities to collect and keep penalties for violations of their local rules rather than sending them to the state department. Additionally, it establishes a Safer Sealant Fund to manage money collected from these penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a minor technical correction that changes the word "within" to "of" in a specific section of the Administrative Code of 1929. The amendment does not introduce new policies or alter the powers of the Department of General Services regarding water bottle filling stations. Instead, it simply fixes a grammatical error in the existing text of the law. No new programs or funding are created by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 2276 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to impose an inheritance tax on property transfers exceeding $100,000. The bill directs that any transfer above this threshold be taxed according to the rates established in the existing code. This change directly affects individuals who receive inheritances larger than the $100,000 exemption limit. The legislation is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.