Rep. Liz Hanbidge

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1028 establishes a grant program to help small businesses affected by long-term public utility road construction projects. It provides financial assistance to qualified businesses (for-profit entities with 10 or fewer employees located in designated "construction mitigation zones" impacted by projects lasting over 90 days) to offset revenue declines caused by traffic disruptions, reduced access, or parking issues. Businesses must apply with proof of significant revenue loss, and grants are capped at actual documented losses or $15,000 per year. The Department of Community and Economic Development administers the program, prioritizes applications based on revenue decline severity and project duration, and requires annual public reporting of recipients and project details.

Maddy summaryHB 995 amends Pennsylvania law to require the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to include provisions for protecting owned animals in the state's emergency management plan. The bill creates new funding for approved animal response teams to develop and maintain rescue capabilities, with PEMA allocating annual funds based on agency standards. It defines "owned animals" as pets, agricultural animals, or those under a Game Commission permit (excluding wildlife) and mandates that teams receiving funds maintain records for audit. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1036 adds a new exemption in Pennsylvania vehicle registration fees for active volunteer first responders. It allows volunteer emergency medical, fire, and rescue service members to pay a $10 processing fee instead of the full registration fee for vehicles they own and primarily drive while responding to emergencies. The exemption applies only to one passenger car or light truck per person and requires the volunteer to be the vehicle's owner and principal driver. This change directly affects volunteer emergency service organizations and their members who use personal vehicles for official emergency responses.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to notify parents or legal guardians when a student threatens suicide or is involved in bullying (as defined in state law). Schools must adopt a written policy for these notifications, keep records of each notification (exempt from public records requests), and provide parents with suicide prevention resources, including information on limiting access to firearms or medication. Students can request copies of their own records under this policy and, after graduating high school, ask for those records to be permanently removed. The bill takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to clarify when licensed facilities (like childcare centers or care homes) can face license refusal, revocation, or penalties. It adds specific new violations that trigger these actions, including repeated breaches of children's rights, improper use of restraints, or failures in staff background checks and training. The bill also expands penalties to allow fines against facilities and mandates disciplinary action against staff responsible for violations. Facilities must receive written notice explaining the reason for any license denial, revocation, or penalty. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1021 replaces Pennsylvania's current requirement for separate rooms for juvenile offenders awaiting trial with a new system mandating counties to provide dedicated rooms or buildings exclusively for juvenile confinement, detention, and care. It requires county commissioners to establish a board of managers for each facility, composed of county officials and six private citizens with expertise in juvenile development, mental health, and substance use disorders. The board oversees operations, appoints a superintendent, and reports annually to county officials, while counties fund all expenses through annual appropriations. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania counties, particularly those previously governed by the repealed provisions for second-class A counties. The law focuses on structural changes to juvenile detention facilities rather than altering sentencing or legal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing counties (of first and second class) to create special property tax exemptions for longtime owner-occupants in neighborhoods where home values have risen significantly due to renovations or new construction nearby. It would let local governments establish uniform tax rules for these homeowners without increasing overall property tax rates to fund the exemptions. The amendment requires approval by the General Assembly and then a vote by Pennsylvania voters before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 amends Pennsylvania's 1937 Labor Relations Act to clarify worker protections and union election processes. It defines "employe" more broadly (excluding independent contractors) and bans agreements that prevent workers from joining class or collective lawsuits. Employers must post notices about labor rights and provide detailed voter lists for union elections within two business days of a board order. The bill also adds new unfair labor practices, including coercing workers to sign agreements that limit their right to pursue collective claims. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania workers, employers, and labor organizations involved in union representation efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 159 amends Pennsylvania law to strengthen penalties for illegally transporting, selling, importing, or releasing nonnative fish and wildlife. It directly affects individuals, businesses, or organizations handling nonnative species, including pet trade sellers, anglers, and conservation groups. The bill increases misdemeanor penalties: violations involving non-native fish become third-degree misdemeanors for negligence or first-degree for intentional acts, while violations with endangered/threatened species escalate to second-degree (negligent/intentional) misdemeanors. It clarifies that each animal, egg, or fish involved in a violation counts as a separate offense, intensifying consequences for repeated or large-scale violations. The changes aim to better protect Pennsylvania's ecosystems and native species from invasive threats.