Rep. Valerie Gaydos

Maddy summaryHB 978 updates Pennsylvania's Election Code with technical procedural changes. It modifies requirements for election officers to be sworn in (Section 406), updates candidate affidavit rules (Section 630.1), and clarifies nomination petition rules (Section 909), including how petitions may be formatted and circulated. The bill also replaces all references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge" throughout the code. These changes affect election officials, candidates, and voters by standardizing administrative procedures in election administration.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "Natural Gas Utility Worker Appreciation Day" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes natural gas utility workers for their role in maintaining infrastructure that provides energy to homes and businesses, including their work during the pandemic and in hazardous conditions. The resolution is purely ceremonial with no new laws or funding, serving only to honor these workers. It aligns with the existing national observance of "National Natural Gas Utility Workers' Day."

Maddy summaryHB 1010 proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce Pennsylvania's state House districts from 203 to 151 while maintaining 50 Senate districts. It requires all districts to be compact, contiguous, and as equal in population as possible, with minimal division of counties or municipalities. The amendment must pass both legislative chambers and be approved by voters in the next general election. If ratified, new district maps would take effect for the 2040 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHB 979 requires Pennsylvania state agencies (excluding the Treasury Department, Auditor General, and Attorney General) to assess improper payments in their programs at least every two years, with an initial assessment due within 120 days. Agencies must classify programs by risk level (low, moderate, high), identify root causes of improper payments in high-risk programs, and develop corrective action plans targeting a 3% or lower error rate. The bill mandates that the Office of the Budget publish detailed, real-time data online - including improper payment totals, high-risk program details, corrective plans, and recovery efforts - to increase transparency. This directly affects how state agencies manage spending and report financial accountability to the public and oversight bodies.

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 920 amends Pennsylvania's bail procedures under Title 42, requiring courts to apply returned cash bail toward restitution, fines, fees, and costs in criminal or delinquency cases unless the defendant or depositor demonstrates undue hardship. It directly affects individuals who post cash bail (defendants or third parties) by changing how unclaimed bail funds are handled after a case concludes. Key provisions include mandating written notice to depositors about this rule before accepting cash bail and specifying that funds must cover court-ordered payments unless hardship is proven. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 932 allows licensed businesses (manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, or retailers) to ship up to 768 ounces (6 cases) of beer or malt beverages monthly directly to Pennsylvania residents aged 21+ for personal use, not resale. It requires a $250 registration fee, proof of an out-of-state alcohol license, and a Pennsylvania sales tax license. Shippers must label packages with "CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER REQUIRED" and use licensed delivery services. The bill also limits shipments to 96 ounces per brand annually and clarifies it doesn’t alter existing distributor agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 898 requires Pennsylvania gas stations to display clear, standardized labels on fuel dispensers showing the exact federal and state taxes for both gasoline and diesel fuel. The labels must list individual taxes (federal gasoline tax, state gasoline tax, federal diesel tax, state diesel tax) and their combined totals in a consistent location. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will design these labels, update them within 60 days of any tax rate changes, and cover all costs for retailers - no fees for initial or replacement labels. This bill directly affects fuel retailers and the Department of Agriculture, aiming to increase transparency about tax costs for consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 834 requires all Pennsylvania public agencies (including state, local, judicial, and legislative bodies) to post monthly financial disbursement records online by the end of each month. Agencies must also certify quarterly to the Auditor General that all prior quarter records are publicly available. The Auditor General will conduct periodic audits to verify compliance, and individuals can sue agencies for violations to obtain court-ordered corrections, with potential recovery of attorney fees. This bill directly affects how public funds are disclosed, making monthly spending data immediately accessible to the public rather than requiring annual reports.

Maddy summaryHB 817 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to add a new rule for school district tax increases. It prohibits the Department of Education from approving a school district's request to raise certain taxes if that district received an exception under prior tax rules for the previous two fiscal years. This directly affects Pennsylvania school districts seeking to increase local taxes, requiring them to avoid recent exceptions to gain departmental approval. The bill modifies existing tax approval procedures without changing the public referendum requirement for tax hikes.