Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Housing Opportunity within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to oversee housing production goals. The office will be led by a Deputy Secretary appointed by the Governor and will work with other state agencies to develop and meet ten-year housing targets. A new advisory committee will be formed to guide the office, including representatives from the General Assembly, local governments, and housing experts. The office will also manage a grant program for residential economic development districts and publish annual reports on housing progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create a funding mechanism for residential construction workforce training. It allows municipalities to charge an optional fee of up to $10 on residential permits, which would be collected and deposited into a new state account. Money from this account would be used to award grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for training programs, apprenticeships, and equipment. A key provision requires that these grants be directed to counties where the original permit fees were collected to support local housing needs. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports on how the funds are spent and the outcomes of the training programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a streamlined approval process for high-density housing in designated growth areas. It requires the state Department of Community and Economic Development to establish rules that allow municipalities to fast-track land use decisions for vacant lots in zones where such housing is already permitted by right. The expedited process applies specifically to attached or detached homes, including accessory dwelling units, provided they meet minimum density standards and do not involve environmentally sensitive or hazard-prone areas. To support this initiative, the bill mandates the use of pre-approved building plans, concurrent review procedures, and a technical assistance hub to help local governments reduce delays and meet permitting timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor's Office to streamline economic development projects and coordinate resources across state agencies. The office will act as a central hub to speed up permit reviews, manage funding applications, and ensure that projects benefit disadvantaged communities. It also establishes a Commonwealth Housing Ombudsman to resolve disputes and align policies related to residential housing needs. The office will be led by a Chief Officer appointed by the Governor, who will report directly to the Governor and produce annual reports on economic progress.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program in Pennsylvania to encourage the construction of workforce housing in areas that might otherwise resist such development. Local governments can apply for funding if they commit to adopting at least five specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, or eliminating parking requirements. The program aims to increase home ownership and support major economic projects by providing financial assistance to counties and municipalities that streamline their housing approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the creation of a statewide housing accelerator and review current approval processes that delay construction. The study will examine how inconsistent zoning rules, conservation district backlogs, and permitting steps slow down residential projects, while also looking at successful strategies used by other states. The commission is tasked with developing recommendations to streamline these procedures and expand housing availability, with a final report due to the General Assembly within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Pesticide Control Act to clarify that the state's pesticide regulations override any conflicting local laws or ordinances. It allows the state secretary to delegate enforcement duties to designated employees and establishes that pesticide registration, sale, and use are matters of statewide concern. While municipalities generally cannot regulate pesticides, the bill creates a specific exception that permits cities with a population density of at least 300 people per square mile to ban commercial pesticide applications on private property. Additionally, the Department of Community and Economic Development must create a sample ordinance within 120 days to help municipalities implement this new authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act to clarify what counts as a redevelopment assistance capital project and removes a spending cap on housing construction. It defines these projects as those that generate economic activity, have regional impact, and include at least 50% non-state funding, while explicitly excluding highways, bridges, and waste or water facilities. Additionally, the legislation repeals a specific provision that previously limited the use of funds for building housing units to $50 million. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for borrowing money to fund large-scale community and economic development initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to strengthen protections against discrimination in housing and commercial property transactions. It directly affects landlords, sellers, lenders, and financial institutions by explicitly prohibiting them from refusing services or making decisions based on a person's source of income, such as public assistance or child support. The legislation also clarifies that discrimination is illegal when it involves a person's use of guide or support animals due to blindness, deafness, or physical disabilities. Additionally, the bill bans the publication of advertisements that express preferences or limitations based on these protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify funding rules for cyber charter schools. It mandates that these schools cannot charge tuition to students who live in or outside the state, with one specific exception. Under this exception, a local school district does not have to pay the tuition for its own students if those students attend an outside cyber charter school instead of the district's own online program. To qualify for this exemption, the district's online program must meet specific standards set by the state department, such as offering in-person orientation, verifying residency, tracking attendance, providing technical support, and assigning case managers for special education needs. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.