Rep. Jake Banta

Maddy summaryHB 1092 establishes a program to refund a portion of Pennsylvania's state budget surplus directly to eligible taxpayers. It requires the State Treasurer and Department of Revenue to identify resident individuals who filed 2024 tax returns and paid their liabilities, then calculate payments based on the General Fund surplus (capped at the June 2024 surplus amount) and the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (capped at the fund balance minus 6% of 2024-2025 General Fund revenues). The bill specifies that payments must be made within 45 days of a funding appropriation, with any unused funds returned to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund. This program directly affects Pennsylvania residents who filed 2024 individual income tax returns and paid their tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 987 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities at public institutions of higher education, including state universities, community colleges, and state-related schools like Penn State and Temple. The bill prohibits requiring ideological statements (such as race-based declarations or DEI-related views), bans DEI offices and staff, mandates specific language in mission statements and handbooks, and restricts DEI-related training and spending. Public institutions must report compliance annually starting December 2025, and the bill allows tenure revocation for DEI violations. It explicitly excludes academic coursework, research, student organizations, and guest speakers from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1033 prohibits healthcare providers from performing gender transition procedures on minors under 18, including surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers. It also requires government health programs (like Medicaid) and health insurance policies to stop covering these procedures for minors. The bill defines "gender transition procedures" to include genital/nongenital surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty blockers. Individuals aged 18 or older are not affected by the ban and may continue receiving such care.

Maddy summaryHB 998 exempts drivers of small school buses (carrying 11-15 passengers, including the driver) from needing a school bus driver endorsement or commercial driver's license. The bill amends Pennsylvania’s vehicle code to remove these requirements for buses transporting students to or from public, private, or parochial schools or school-related events. This directly affects school bus drivers operating smaller vehicles under the specified passenger capacity. The key provision eliminates a licensing hurdle for these specific school transportation roles, aligning with existing exemptions for similar vehicle types. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 438 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to allow taxpayers to remove a deceased spouse's name from real estate tax bills. It directly affects homeowners who are now required to submit a written request and a death certificate to both their tax collector and county assessment office. The key provision, added as Section 6.1, creates a formal process for this removal without requiring court action. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 22726 on Pennsylvania Route 934 over Swatara Creek in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, as the WO1 John Stephen Chrin Memorial Bridge. It honors Warrant Officer 1 John Stephen Chrin, a Vietnam War DUSTOFF helicopter pilot killed in action on October 13, 1971, after completing over 125 combat medical evacuation missions. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage identifying the bridge with this memorial name. The designation applies solely to this specific bridge structure and has no policy or funding implications.

Maddy summaryHB 685 requires Pennsylvania schools to accept U.S. currency as payment for admission to school-sponsored activities, such as athletic events, assemblies, or field trips. It applies to all school entities, including public school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in school activities. The bill mandates that cash must be accepted when fees are charged, while allowing schools to also accept other payment methods like credit cards. It defines "cash" as U.S. coins and paper money recognized as legal tender and clarifies that schools may refuse payments in large denominations that exceed the fee amount.

Maddy summaryHB 927 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would prohibit the state from issuing driver's licenses or similar vehicle operation permits to individuals without lawful presence in the United States. This would directly affect non-citizens residing in Pennsylvania without legal immigration status, preventing them from obtaining or renewing driver's licenses under this policy. The amendment requires approval by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and subsequent voter approval at the next applicable election, as outlined in Section 2 of the resolution. If adopted, it would change the state constitution to mandate legal immigration status as a prerequisite for license issuance.

Maddy summaryHB 575 creates new protections for military service members and veterans seeking professional licenses in Pennsylvania. It ensures that individuals holding licenses in fields like healthcare, education, or trades retain their licenses during military service without losing eligibility or facing continuing education requirements. After discharge, veterans can renew licenses within one year by paying only the current renewal fee, without making up for missed requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Education to establish a policy for awarding academic credit at Pennsylvania colleges for military training, helping veterans apply their service experience toward college credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election procedures by clarifying the Secretary of the Commonwealth's responsibilities and improving how voters receive information about ballot questions. It requires the Attorney General to create plain English explanations for statewide ballot questions and mandates that the Secretary of the Commonwealth include these explanations in official election materials. For debt-related ballot questions, the Office of the Budget must prepare detailed fiscal notes in plain English outlining project costs, interest, and future expenses, which must be posted online and in voting areas. The bill also standardizes how ballot questions and fiscal notes appear on official ballots, allowing them to be printed below candidate names in a brief format determined by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.