Rep. Bud Cook

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that officially designates May 2026 as "National Bike Month" within Pennsylvania. It directly affects the state's residents and cycling community by formally acknowledging the month to promote cycling as a healthy and practical mode of transportation. The resolution highlights existing state assets, such as over 2,400 miles of trails and various cycling clubs, while encouraging the safe use of public roads and trails. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or funding but serves to recognize and celebrate the state's cycling culture.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 prohibits the use of paraquat, a specific chemical pesticide, within Pennsylvania. It defines paraquat by its chemical identifier (CAS number 4685-14-7) and includes related salts, making it unlawful for farmers, agricultural businesses, or any pesticide users to apply it in the state. The bill amends Pennsylvania's 1973 Pesticide Control Act to add this prohibition, effective one year after enactment, and overrides any conflicting existing regulations. This directly affects pesticide users and applicators operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for music therapy by requiring anyone who identifies as a music therapist to hold a valid certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists. It prohibits unlicensed individuals from claiming to be music therapists, using specific credentials like "MT-BC," or implying they are qualified to provide clinical music therapy services. While the law allows professionals to use music in their general work, it strictly forbids them from representing themselves as certified music therapists without the proper credential. Violations of these rules are classified as third-degree misdemeanors and are also treated as unfair trade practices under state consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that officially recognizes July 4, 2026, as Independence Day in Pennsylvania to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. It highlights Pennsylvania's historical significance in the nation's founding, including its role in the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of these events rather than creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of September 28 through October 4, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" to highlight a rare and incurable brain disease. The measure directly affects residents of Pennsylvania who may be living with or caring for individuals diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, a condition that impacts behavior, speech, and movement. By officially recognizing this specific time period, the resolution aims to increase public understanding of the disease's symptoms and the need for better diagnosis and support. This is a commemorative action intended to draw attention to the condition rather than to enact new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates the week of March 16 through 20, 2026, as "Pennsylvania Ag Literacy Week" in Pennsylvania. The bill directly affects schools, educators, and the agricultural community by formally recognizing a program that connects volunteers from the farming sector to local classrooms. It highlights the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau as the originators of the initiative, which aims to educate students about agriculture through volunteer storytelling and educational materials. The resolution also acknowledges the economic significance of agriculture in Pennsylvania, noting its contribution to jobs and state revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 1296 adds an optional $5 contribution during vehicle registration renewals and driver's license/ID renewals to fund two specific programs. Vehicle registrants and driver's license holders can choose to contribute $5 (or $10 for two-year registrations) to either the Fire Company Grant Program or Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. The contributions are added to existing renewal fees and deposited into restricted accounts within the General Fund, which the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency then uses to make grants under existing law. This bill directly affects Pennsylvanians renewing vehicle registrations or driver's licenses, with no mandatory contribution required.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2026 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of screening and education for men. The resolution includes background information on prostate cancer statistics, symptoms, and recommended screening ages based on risk factors. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage awareness and early detection.

Maddy summaryHB 2554 establishes formal executive leadership roles for both the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission by creating positions for an executive director and a director, respectively. The bill mandates that these leaders be appointed with the Senate's approval and requires a competitive national search process, including a detailed job description and public notice, whenever a vacancy occurs. Additionally, the legislation sets specific qualifications for these roles, such as executive experience and knowledge in areas like budgeting and conservation, while also defining procedures for temporary acting appointments.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates September 11, 2026, as the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda attacks within the state. The measure formally honors the victims, their families, and the first responders who sacrificed their lives during the events and subsequent recovery efforts. Additionally, it recognizes the service of military personnel involved in the global war on terrorism and encourages Pennsylvanians to remember the historical significance of the day.