Rep. Bud Cook

Maddy summaryHB 1184 imposes a temporary pause on new or expanded health insurance coverage requirements (mandated benefits) in Pennsylvania. It directly affects insurers and employers who would otherwise be required to cover new treatments, equipment, or provider-specific services under health insurance policies. The bill requires the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study existing state-mandated health benefits by December 2026, analyzing their costs, fiscal impact, and effectiveness. The study must also determine if current mandates trigger federal payment obligations. The moratorium takes effect immediately and remains in place until the committee submits its report.

Maddy summaryHB 1172 defines "utility terrain vehicle" (UTV) as a four-wheel off-road vehicle with specific size and weight limits (max 64 inches wide or 1,700 pounds), excluding ATVs, snowmobiles, and other vehicle types. The bill clarifies that state, local, and county authorities can designate roads for UTVs, snowmobiles, and ATVs, including whether these roads may share space with regular traffic. It requires helmets for snowmobile and ATV operators and passengers on shared roads but exempts UTVs equipped with bucket seats, seat belts, and roll cages. The law also directs the Department of Transportation to specify approved helmet types through regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 325 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how school districts must present tax relief information to property owners. It adds a definition of "conspicuous" requiring notices to use larger text, contrasting colors, or special formatting that a reasonable person would notice. The bill mandates that school districts include a specific, conspicuous notice with tax bills for homestead and farmstead property owners, explaining that their tax reduction comes from casino gaming revenue (State Gaming Fund) under state law, not from the school district's actions. This affects all Pennsylvania property owners eligible for homestead/farmstead exclusions and the school districts that issue their tax bills, effective for taxable years after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to protect eligible seniors from losing property tax or rent rebates due to automatic Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). It directly affects seniors currently receiving these rebates who exceed income limits solely because of COLAs. The bill modifies the definition of "income" to specifically state that seniors eligible as of December 31, 2024, remain eligible if their income limit is exceeded only due to Social Security COLAs. This exception applies until December 31, 2028. The change ensures these seniors maintain their rebate eligibility during temporary income spikes caused by federal COLAs.

Maddy summaryHB 1112 allows Pennsylvania electric utility customers to request traditional electromechanical analog meters instead of smart meters. Customers can elect this option by notifying their utility company, and if the utility has already installed smart meters, they may charge the customer for the switch - amortized over 12 months - but cannot impose additional fees. The bill directly affects residential and commercial electricity customers who prefer analog meters for privacy or cost reasons. It defines "electromechanical analog meters" as devices with no wireless capabilities, no power line transmission/reception, and specific safety features, while ensuring costs are recovered through approved utility rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 makes it a crime to change a consumer's electric or natural gas supplier without their consent, protecting consumers from unauthorized service switches. The law imposes penalties: a first offense is a misdemeanor, while repeat offenses or cases involving vulnerable consumers (60+ years or care-dependent individuals) become felonies. Prosecution can be handled by local district attorneys or the Attorney General for multi-county or interstate cases, and this criminal law does not prevent the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from taking administrative action. The bill directly affects utility companies, suppliers, and consumers by adding criminal consequences for unauthorized service changes.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 160) urges Congress to amend the PACT Act to include veterans exposed to toxic substances at Camp Carroll military base in South Korea. It specifically seeks to extend the PACT Act's health benefits - which currently cover veterans exposed to toxins at other sites - to veterans who served at Camp Carroll during the Vietnam War era and developed related illnesses like cancer or diabetes. The resolution cites a 2011 report confirming chemical burial at Camp Carroll and notes these veterans remain excluded from PACT Act benefits despite documented health impacts. It does not create new law but formally requests congressional action to correct this exclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires Pennsylvania voter registration applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when applying to register. This applies to all registration methods - online, in-person, by mail, or with a driver's license application. Acceptable proof includes passports, birth certificates, military IDs, naturalization documents, or other government-issued IDs showing U.S. birthplace. The bill mandates that election officials verify citizenship during registration and adds penalties for officials who fail to comply. It directly affects anyone seeking to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would ban all taxes on real property, including land and buildings owned by individuals or businesses. The change would take effect on July 1, 2030, and would apply to taxes imposed by the state government, local municipalities, school districts, or any other political subdivision within the Commonwealth. To become law, the amendment must pass both houses of the General Assembly and then be approved by voters in a statewide election. The bill argues that taxing property violates the inherent right to own and protect property, a principle recognized since Pennsylvania's founding in 1776.

Maddy summaryHB 1035 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act by adding specific definitions for "advanced recycling" and related terms. It clarifies that plastic waste and waste tires processed through advanced recycling (using methods like pyrolysis) are no longer classified as "municipal waste" or "residual waste" under the law. This change directly affects facilities using advanced recycling technology, reducing their regulatory burden under existing waste management rules. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.