Rep. Lee James

Maddy summaryHB 70 changes Pennsylvania's regular antlered deer hunting season to begin on the first Monday following Thanksgiving each year. This directly affects deer hunters across the state by establishing a fixed seasonal start date, overriding previous regulations. The bill amends Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to implement this specific opening date. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 54 amends Pennsylvania's Religious Freedom Protection Act to clarify what constitutes a "substantially burden" on religious exercise and restricts when government exceptions may apply. It adds specific definitions, including that a "substantially burden" occurs when government actions significantly constrain religious conduct, curtail expression, deny fundamental religious activities, compel violations of faith, prevent physical gatherings for worship, or authorize penalties for religious practice. The bill explicitly prohibits agencies from using emergency powers under the Governor's authority (Article IV, Section 20 of the Constitution) or the Disease Prevention Law as exceptions to religious freedom protections. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents seeking to exercise their religion without government interference, particularly during emergencies. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 28 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to give the Department of Health new authority over medical marijuana practitioners. It directly affects doctors and healthcare providers who certify patients for medical marijuana use. The bill adds specific conditions the department can impose, including probation periods, limits on how many patient certifications a practitioner can issue, mandatory supervision by another provider, and reporting requirements to ensure patient safety. These changes aim to strengthen oversight of practitioners without altering patient eligibility or program structure. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Pennsylvania State Capitol grounds to honor military members who died in service and their families. The monument, designed by Woody Williams and Kenton Blackwood, will consist of four black granite slabs featuring inscriptions and scenes representing homeland, patriotism, family, and sacrifice. The MI Charitable Foundation is designated to fund and manage the construction and ongoing maintenance of the site, while the Department of General Services will assist in preparing the location and facilitating the project. The specific location is defined as the area south of the Forum Building, east of the Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Office Building, and north of Walnut Street.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Pennsylvania's protection from abuse laws by expanding the types of relief courts can grant and clarifying procedures for emergency situations. It allows final protection orders to explicitly include provisions protecting companion animals from abuse, harassment, or relocation, and grants courts the authority to order temporary ownership of these animals during disputes. The legislation also enables hearing officers in certain counties to issue immediate emergency relief when regular courts are unavailable, ensuring faster protection for victims in urgent circumstances. Additionally, the bill clarifies that police officers can make warrantless arrests for violating protection orders based on probable cause, even if the violation is not witnessed directly by the officer. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and timely safety measures for individuals and their pets facing domestic abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania second-class townships to hire certified public accountants to perform financial audits instead of relying solely on elected auditors. Under the new rules, a board of supervisors can appoint an accountant if at least 25 taxpayers request it, or the board can choose to hire one on its own after public notice is given in a newspaper. The hired accountant would have the same powers as the board of auditors to review accounts, except they cannot set their own pay and must follow standard auditing practices. Additionally, the law permits townships to contract with independent accountants to meet federal or state reporting requirements separately from the regular audit process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's tax credit program to support semiconductor, biomedical, and clean energy industries while removing older credits for local resource manufacturing and milk processing. Companies seeking these credits must meet specific requirements, such as investing at least $20 million in new facilities, creating 100 permanent jobs, and paying prevailing wages. The legislation also introduces a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel and clarifies rules for clean hydrogen hubs. Additionally, the bill expands definitions for early-stage semiconductor businesses to include those with less than $10 million in revenue.

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 modifies Pennsylvania's Main Street Act to clarify the funding timeline for downtown commercial enhancement programs. It allows grants to cover administrative costs, such as hiring a manager, for an initial period of up to five years, with the possibility of extending this duration by another five years upon approval. The change directly affects local organizations and businesses participating in the state's commercial revitalization efforts by providing a clearer framework for long-term grant support.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania law updates the rules for filling empty seats on township commission boards to ensure positions are filled promptly. If a township board fails to appoint a replacement within 30 days, a temporary "vacancy board" must be formed within the next 15 days to make the appointment, consisting of the original commissioners and one local voter who chairs the group but cannot vote for themselves. If this temporary board also fails to act or if most commissioner seats are vacant at once, the matter moves to a county court where a judge appoints a replacement based on a petition from remaining officials or local voters. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is signed.