Rep. Jill Cooper

Maddy summaryHB 745 amends Pennsylvania's hunting and trapping license rules to allow nonresidents who own property in the state to qualify for resident license rates. The bill defines a nonresident as a "resident" for licensing purposes if they paid Pennsylvania property taxes during the current or prior licensing season and can prove this payment to the state commission. This change directly affects nonresident property owners who currently pay higher nonresident fees to hunt or trap in Pennsylvania. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment, updating eligibility under Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 760 amends Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax rates under the 1971 Tax Reform Code, directly affecting corporations operating in the state. The bill reduces the annual corporate tax rate from 7.99% for 2025-2025 to 5.99% for 2026-2026, and further lowers it to 4% starting in 2027 and beyond. Key provisions include a phased reduction schedule with specific rates for each taxable year period, replacing prior rate structures. The changes take immediate effect upon enactment, altering the tax burden for corporations filing under Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 744 amends Pennsylvania's ethics laws to restrict gifts to public officials. It prohibits public officials, employees, nominees, or candidates from accepting cash gifts or non-cash gifts exceeding $50 in value from a single source in a year (Section 1103.1). Key exceptions include gifts from family members (excluding cash for candidates), lobbyists for major life events like weddings, and election contributions made under state law (Section 1103.2). The bill aims to prevent undue influence by clarifying what constitutes a prohibited gift under the state's financial disclosure framework.

Maddy summaryHB 714 would allow siblings (including half-siblings and stepsiblings) to petition a court for visitation rights with a sibling child who is in a custody arrangement. Courts must consider factors like the child’s best interests, evidence that the custodial parent denied access in the 30 days before the petition, and whether the denial was unreasonable. The bill defines "visitation" as time spent together, not custody, and clarifies it does not affect existing custody laws or standing. This directly affects siblings who have been prevented from seeing their siblings by a parent with physical custody.

Maddy summaryHB 699 requires Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission to create new rules governing double utility poles (where multiple companies share one pole). It mandates annual registration for companies attaching infrastructure to poles, sets timelines for migrating facilities to new poles, and establishes procedures for compensating pole owners for relocation costs and removing abandoned attachments. The bill directly affects utility companies (electric, cable, telecom) and pole owners, requiring them to follow standardized processes for pole use, migration, and removal. Key provisions include annual registration, surety bonds for cost reimbursement, and civil penalties for noncompliance with the new rules. The legislation aims to address safety, efficiency, and aesthetics concerns related to long-term double-pole use.

Maddy summaryHB 617 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee every Pennsylvanian the right to refuse any medical treatment, including vaccines, without government interference. The amendment would prohibit denying legal rights to individuals based on their refusal of such treatments. It requires the state legislature to pass the resolution twice before submitting it to voters for approval, following Pennsylvania's constitutional amendment process. If approved by voters, this amendment would become part of the state constitution, altering how medical consent is legally protected.

Maddy summaryHR 77 is a procedural resolution directing Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study transitioning the General Assembly to part-time status. The committee must review other states' legislative models (including session length, costs, and representation), Pennsylvania's legislative history, and constitutional amendment processes. The study will analyze potential cost savings and other impacts, with a report due within 18 months. This resolution does not change current law but prepares the legislature for future consideration of part-time status.

Maddy summaryHB 530 modifies Pennsylvania's criminal codes to adjust penalties for property damage crimes and create a new process for removing trespassers. It reclassifies criminal mischief as a felony if financial damage exceeds $1,000 (for building entry) or $5,000 (for public services), and as a misdemeanor for smaller losses. The bill also establishes a formal procedure allowing property owners to request law enforcement to remove trespassers by submitting a signed affidavit proving the person isn't a tenant, has been asked to leave, and lawful eviction occurred if applicable. This directly affects property owners seeking to remove unauthorized occupants, tenants facing potential unlawful removal, and law enforcement officers handling such requests. The law requires officers to provide individuals removed a chance to prove lawful occupancy and prohibits violations of Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act.

Maddy summaryHB 515, the Household Appliance Freedom Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state agencies and local municipalities from banning or restricting the sale, installation, or use of natural gas-powered home heating equipment, appliances, outdoor grills and stoves, and outdoor natural gas torches or lamps. The law allows individuals affected by such restrictions to file a civil lawsuit within 180 days seeking an injunction or damages. It becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 518 amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices law to address consumer guarantees generated by artificial intelligence. It specifically makes it unlawful for businesses to fail to honor written guarantees, warranties, or policies created by consumer-facing AI systems. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" broadly to include systems that perform human-like tasks (e.g., learning, decision-making) without significant human oversight. This directly affects businesses using AI for customer commitments, adding a new prohibited practice under the state's consumer protection law. The change clarifies that deceptive AI-generated promises now fall under existing penalties for unfair trade practices.