Rep. Brad Roae

Maddy summaryThis bill changes where table game tax revenue goes in Pennsylvania. It redirects taxes paid by casinos on table games (like blackjack or poker) from the General Fund into the Property Tax Relief Fund instead. This means money collected from casino table games will now specifically support property tax relief programs for Pennsylvania residents. The change affects casino operators who pay these taxes and ensures the funds are used for property tax assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 770 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to notify enrolled students at least 45 days before a tuition increase. The notice must include the prior year's tuition amount, current tuition, and the dollar and percentage increase, and must be sent both electronically and by mail. This amendment to the Public School Code of 1949 aims to improve transparency in higher education pricing for students. It directly affects all higher education institutions in Pennsylvania that raise tuition from the previous academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 690 requires insurers in Pennsylvania to provide group policyholders (businesses or organizations with 51+ covered employees) with detailed claims experience data within 30 days of request. This data includes aggregated premiums, claims costs (paid, reserved, and unreserved), and other financial details for at least two policy years. Insurers may charge a reasonable, non-discriminatory fee for this service, but must file the fee schedule with the Insurance Department in advance. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations), with annual caps of $500,000 for insurers.

Maddy summaryHB 687 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to disqualify individuals with delinquent school property taxes from serving as school directors. It prohibits anyone who has failed to pay school taxes on their primary residence or business in their school district for two or more years (without pending legal challenges) from holding this office. The bill applies to both candidates and those elected after its effective date, requiring objections to be filed under existing election law. This change directly affects school board members and candidates in Pennsylvania school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 691 amends Pennsylvania's Public Official Compensation Law to update how annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) are calculated and published for state legislators and legislative leaders. The bill maintains that COLA will continue to be based on the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland area, with adjustments calculated using the most recent 12-month data. It specifies that adjusted salaries for legislators must be published within 10 days of determination, while adjustments for legislative leaders (like the Speaker or Majority Leader) must be published 20 days before the change takes effect. This bill directly affects the compensation of all members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their top leadership.

Maddy summaryHB 613 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require a public comparison tool for higher education institutions to include each school's endowment data. This change directly affects students, families, and researchers who use the tool to compare colleges, as it adds financial transparency about institutional resources. The bill mandates that the existing comparison tool must allow users to identify and compare institutions based on endowment size, alongside other metrics. It does not alter college operations or funding but expands available data for informed decision-making. The requirement becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 647 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to require county election boards to enter agreements with the judicial system. Specifically, it directs boards to receive records about county residents claiming juror ineligibility due to citizenship status and investigate the voter registration of those individuals. This provision directly affects county election boards by adding a new administrative duty to verify voter eligibility through jury qualification records. The bill does not change voting rights or election procedures, but creates a formal process for cross-checking voter registration with jury eligibility claims. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 579 would require Pennsylvania public schools, charter schools, and participating private schools meeting the state's baseline security criteria to assign at least one armed guard to each school building within one year. The bill mandates designating specific entry and exit points for buildings (excluding emergencies) and installing signs with audible alarms on non-designated exterior doors. School armed guards must be present during school hours and extracurricular activities, holding specific firearm training certifications as defined by the bill. This requirement applies only to school entities that meet the tier 1 security standards.

Maddy summaryHB 581, titled the Parental Rights in Education Act, prohibits public schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It requires schools to notify parents in writing before providing health care services (like mental health support) or administering well-being questionnaires/surveys to K-5 students, including an option for parents to withhold consent. Schools must also allow parents access to their child's education and health records and cannot retaliate against students who report violations. The bill creates a legal right for students or parents to sue schools for noncompliance within 180 days of a violation.

Maddy summaryHB 582 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exclude the sale of firearms and ammunition from state sales and use tax. It directly affects firearm retailers and buyers, as these items will no longer be subject to tax when purchased at retail. The bill adds a specific exclusion (section 204(77)) defining "firearm" as a weapon designed to expel projectiles via explosives and "ammunition" as bullets or shells for such weapons. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.