Rep. Jill Cooper

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 24, 2025, as "World Polio Day" in Pennsylvania to honor global efforts against polio. It is a symbolic gesture with no binding policy changes or direct impact on individuals or organizations. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies. The bill was referred to the Health committee and later laid on the table without further action.

Maddy summaryHB 1703 would amend Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to change how personal income tax applies to businesses that pass income to owners, such as partnerships and S corporations. The bill introduces an option for these businesses to pay tax at the business level instead of having the tax pass through to individual owners. It also clarifies rules for taxing income from these businesses and handling taxes paid to other states. This change would directly affect business owners and Pennsylvania's tax collection process.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 requires school entities (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to follow specific processes for curriculum changes and increase public access to course materials. It mandates that school boards present proposed curriculum changes at a regular meeting and cannot approve them until the next meeting. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools must post online links to primary course resources, syllabi, and state standards within 30 business days of updates, without violating copyright laws. The bill applies to all public and private schools covered under Pennsylvania's Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1679 creates a new process allowing property owners or lessees to report registered voters at their address who do not actually reside there. If reported, election officials must immediately notify the voter and attempt to contact them at any alternative address on file to update their registration. This bill directly affects voters registered at an address where a property owner reports non-residency, aiming to verify voter addresses. It amends Pennsylvania election law to add this verification step under existing voter registration procedures, without changing voting eligibility or removing voters from rolls. The bill is procedural and would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1684 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to shorten deadlines for inheritance tax appraisals and deductions. It changes Section 2137 to require the Department of Revenue to complete property appraisals within 60 days (instead of six months) after a tax return is filed. Similarly, Section 2138 shortens the timeframe for determining allowable deductions to 60 days, and adds that deductions over $100 require Commonwealth representation or 30 days' notice at audit. This bill directly affects taxpayers, executors, and fiduciaries handling inheritance tax returns in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 1675 would amend Pennsylvania's vehicle registration rules to allow current active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces to obtain special license plates. The bill specifically adds provisions for these military personnel to receive dedicated plates under the state's vehicle registration system. This change directly affects eligible service members who wish to display military-affiliated plates on their vehicles. The bill is procedural, focusing on administrative registration details rather than substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1682 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to require that if the state budget (general appropriation bill) isn't passed by June 30 for the next fiscal year, compensation for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of the General Assembly is suspended until the budget is enacted. Once the budget passes, the suspended pay is paid retroactively starting July 1. This procedural bill directly affects state executive and legislative leaders by linking their pay to the timely passage of the annual budget. It does not change substantive policy but establishes a specific financial consequence for budget delays.

Maddy summaryHB 1681 grants civil immunity to volunteer security officers of religious organizations in Pennsylvania for actions taken while protecting the organization's property or people. It protects these volunteers from lawsuits related to injuries or property damage caused during defensive actions, such as monitoring visitors or reporting incidents like theft or trespass. This immunity does not apply if the security officer acts recklessly, maliciously, or with gross negligence. The bill specifically covers volunteers (not paid staff) who provide security services as defined by their religious organization, which must be organized primarily for worship or spiritual development.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution designating June 2025 as "Italian-American Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. It officially recognizes Pennsylvania's Italian-American community - home to approximately 1.4 million residents with Italian ancestry - and highlights their historical contributions to the state and nation. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally designates the month for commemoration, referencing cultural milestones like Filippo Mazzei's influence on the Declaration of Independence and Philadelphia's large Italian-American population. The measure was adopted by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Pennsylvania school districts to consider later start times for secondary schools (high schools), citing studies showing teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but 98% of PA schools begin before 8:30 a.m. It references CDC and AAP research linking later start times to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes. The bill encourages districts to collaborate with health professionals and educators to develop schedules that maintain educational activities while adopting later start times, and asks state agencies to provide resources and public education on adolescent sleep needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require policy changes but recommends action based on existing evidence.