Rep. Ryan Warner

Maddy summaryHB 1619 establishes a new regulatory program within the Department of Revenue to oversee "skill gaming" (games where skill determines outcomes, not chance). It requires businesses offering such games to obtain licenses, comply with specific zoning rules for where they can operate, and follow new operational standards. The bill imposes both criminal penalties for serious violations and civil penalties for lesser breaches. This directly affects skill gaming businesses, local governments managing zoning, and the Department of Revenue, which gains authority to issue licenses and enforce rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 creates a refundable tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who earn overtime wages. It allows eligible workers to reduce their state income tax bill by 100% of taxes paid on overtime wages, calculated using employer-provided documentation (as required by 34 Pa. Code § 231.36). The credit applies to tax returns filed for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and will be integrated into the standard PA 40 tax form. This directly affects Pennsylvania workers receiving overtime pay under the Minimum Wage Act of 1968.

Maddy summaryHB 1514 creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who earn tips, allowing them to get back the income tax paid on those tips. The credit equals 100% of the tax paid on "tipped wages" (wages received as voluntary customer tips, not set by employers) and is fully refundable, meaning it can reduce tax bills or generate refunds even if no tax was owed. Taxpayers must claim the credit using their employer's statement of tipped wages (required under 34 Pa. Code § 231.36) when filing their annual tax return on the standard PA 40 form. This change applies to tax returns for years starting after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws under Title 23. It clarifies definitions, establishes clearer rules for awarding primary physical custody, and requires courts to consider criminal convictions when making custody decisions. The bill also mandates parenting plans and specifies factors judges must evaluate, directly affecting parents, judges, and child welfare agencies involved in custody cases. The legislation was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1472 requires Pennsylvania's State-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln, and their branch campuses) to conduct independent economic and workforce impact studies before closing any campus. The studies must assess harm to local communities and ensure students have reasonable, affordable education alternatives. Results must be shared with state legislative committees, the Department of Labor and Industry, affected local governments, and legislators representing the campus area. Compliance with this review process is required for universities to receive state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln University, and their branches) to submit an alternative education plan to the state Department of Education before closing any campus. The plan must detail how students in the affected region will maintain access to higher education, including options like partnerships with community colleges, satellite classrooms, or tuition assistance. The Department must approve or disapprove the plan within 30 days, and failure to submit a compliant plan or receiving disapproval results in the university losing state funding for that fiscal year. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions maintain educational access, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas, before proceeding with campus closures.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (including Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln University) to create detailed plans before closing branch campuses or significantly reducing operations. The bill mandates that universities submit plans including financial analysis, community impact studies, student impact reports, and access alternatives to the board, followed by a 90-day public comment period with at least three public hearings. Before any closure can proceed, the plan must be approved by the full General Assembly, not just the university board. This directly affects students, rural communities reliant on branch campuses, and local economies by adding legislative oversight to campus closures. The law applies to all state-related universities and their branch campuses starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1462, also known as The Fair Play Broadcasting Act, amends the Public School Code to grant visiting school teams the same rights as home teams to broadcast interscholastic athletic competitions. This allows visiting school entities, including public and nonpublic schools, to provide radio broadcasting, video streaming, or telegraphic play-by-play accounts. These rights apply if the visiting team has an agreement with a media organization or if it has a curricular program for secondary students that typically broadcasts its home games. The provisions of this act will apply to competitions beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify how mail-in voters must return their ballots. It requires that completed mail-in ballots be returned by 8:00 PM on election day via one of three methods: U.S. Postal Service to county election offices, in person at county election offices during regular hours, or at designated ballot return locations. Ballot return locations must be on county election premises or courthouses, monitored by election inspectors from both major parties, and equipped with video recording for public review. This bill directly affects mail-in voters and county election boards across Pennsylvania by standardizing ballot return procedures and accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 proposes to repeal the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania, directly affecting estates and beneficiaries who would no longer be subject to this tax on inherited assets. The bill also modifies procedures for taxpayers to petition for a reassessment of taxes. Additionally, it updates existing provisions related to how government-issued obligations are treated for tax purposes.