Rep. Brad Roae

Maddy summaryHB 119 permanently prohibits Pennsylvania from observing daylight saving time, requiring all timekeeping in the state to follow Eastern Standard Time year-round. The bill amends an 1887 law to remove the existing provision allowing daylight saving time (which previously shifted clocks forward between April and October) and declares Eastern Standard Time as the sole legal standard. This directly affects all residents, businesses, and government operations across Pennsylvania, eliminating the need for biannual clock changes. The policy change would take effect 60 days after the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 160 amends Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law by raising the cost threshold for public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements from $25,000 to $257,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). The new threshold uses the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland to account for inflation each March. This change exempts smaller public projects (under $257,000) from prevailing wage rules, while larger projects remain covered. The amendment applies to contracts entered into 60 days after the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 91 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (2008) to clarify that records related to noncriminal investigations by state agencies are exempt from public disclosure - except for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This means agencies like police departments or environmental agencies must now disclose such records (unlike the Fish and Boat Commission, which retains exemption). The bill specifically revises Section 708(b)(17) of the law to remove a blanket exemption for all agencies, making the Fish and Boat Commission the sole exception. It directly affects public access to noncriminal investigation records held by state agencies, with no new reporting or procedural requirements. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 68, the State-Owned Vehicle Assignment Limitation Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state officials (members of the General Assembly) from being assigned or leasing state-owned vehicles for official use, effective 60 days after enactment. The bill directly affects legislators who previously received state vehicles, banning new assignments while allowing current users to retain their vehicles until they leave office or return the vehicle. Exceptions apply for emergency response duties requiring vehicle use. The law aims to restrict the use of public funds for personal vehicle assignments by lawmakers, with no new leases or assignments permitted after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHR 6 is a non-binding House resolution urging the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to create separate playoff systems for public schools versus private and charter schools. It addresses a competitive imbalance: private and charter schools (making up ~20% of PA schools) have won 28 of 36 basketball state titles in recent seasons, partly because they can recruit students statewide while public schools are limited to district boundaries. The resolution cites PIAA's own constitutional goals of promoting fairness and educational values in athletics. It does not change PIAA rules but formally requests they adopt separate playoffs to level the competitive field. This applies directly to all PA high schools participating in PIAA sports.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to standardize the three-year registration and recertification requirements for emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, and emergency medical services vehicle operators. Under the new rules, these professionals must renew their credentials every three years by passing exams or completing continuing education credits, while those whose licenses have expired for six years or less can regain certification through testing or additional training. The legislation also clarifies that EMS vehicle operator certifications are permanent but require triennial registration, except for those working exclusively for a specific regional system, and establishes stricter criteria for maintaining operator status, including limits on recent driving violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's election laws to require that all voter registration applicants provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It specifies acceptable documents, such as a valid passport, military ID, or a birth certificate paired with other supporting evidence, and mandates that election officials verify this information during the registration process. The legislation also establishes penalties for officials who fail to perform these duties and creates a legal pathway for individuals to sue if they believe their citizenship verification rights were violated. Additionally, it updates the rules for removing voter registration records, allowing for cancellation only when an elector is confirmed to be non-citizen or has moved away.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's parole laws to establish specific rules for denying release to inmates who commit new crimes while already in prison. It defines "violent offenses" and "obstruction of justice offenses" by listing specific crimes such as murder, rape, and witness intimidation. Under the new provisions, the Board of Probation and Parole cannot grant parole to individuals convicted of a violent crime committed while incarcerated until they have served at least 24 months after their original minimum sentence ends or after the new conviction, whichever is longer. Similarly, parole is barred for those convicted of obstruction of justice offenses committed while incarcerated until they have served at least 12 months after their original minimum sentence ends or after the new conviction, whichever is longer. These restrictions apply only to crimes committed on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a policy allowing Pennsylvania educational institutions to award academic credit for military training and service. It directly affects students enrolled in community colleges, public universities, and state-related institutions who have completed military duties. The legislation requires the Department of Education to create guidelines for granting credit based on the skills and experience gained during service. Additionally, the bill ensures that professionals holding state licenses do not lose their credentials or miss continuing education requirements while serving in the military.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's emergency medical services laws to update definitions for qualified applicants and establish new committees for regional oversight. It allows regional councils to request waivers from standard staffing rules for ambulances if they can prove their quality control systems are sufficient. Upon approval, local councils would manage compliance on behalf of the state, enabling agencies to operate with slightly different crew requirements while maintaining safety standards. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.