Rep. Lee James

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Keystone Fresh Program to increase the amount of locally grown food served in Pennsylvania school meals. It establishes a grant system administered by the Departments of Education and Agriculture to reimburse school districts for purchasing local fruits, vegetables, grains, and other minimally processed foods. The program prioritizes funding for schools that source from veteran farmers, socially disadvantaged groups, new farmers, or those using sustainable agriculture techniques. A separate fund is also created to support the administration of these initiatives, aiming to improve child nutrition and provide economic benefits to local producers.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 2024 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the high suicide rates among veterans in the state. The measure aims to raise public consciousness about the issue by officially setting aside the month for recognition and support rather than implementing new laws or funding. It expresses support for ongoing federal and state efforts to assist veterans and their families while acknowledging the specific challenges they face.

Maddy summaryHB 1477 updates the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to submit planning documents electronically instead of by mail or hand delivery. This change applies to municipalities and counties that need to send proposed or adopted plans, zoning ordinances, or amendments to other government bodies for review. To ensure reliability, the law requires that electronic files be in standard PDF format or similar, and it protects the validity of these submissions even if the recipient fails to receive them. The bill also mandates that local governments keep records of all electronic transmissions and allows comments on these plans to be sent back digitally. Finally, the legislation clarifies that any electronic submissions made before the law takes effect remain valid.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to create an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study on artificial intelligence. The proposed committee includes representatives from various state agencies, labor unions, academic institutions, and technical experts to examine AI's benefits, risks, and potential impacts on the state. The study will assess how AI is currently used, evaluate its effects on employment and disinformation, and propose regulations for its responsible development within Pennsylvania government and society. Ultimately, the commission must submit a report with recommendations on whether to establish a permanent oversight body and how to allocate rights between workers and employers regarding AI implementation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 11 through 17, 2024, as Future Business Leaders of America Week in Pennsylvania. It directly honors the nonprofit organization FBLA, which supports students in developing business and leadership skills through various chapters across the state. The measure serves as a commemorative recognition of the group's history and mission rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates the week of July 15 through 24, 2024, as "Butler County Can-Am Games Week" in Pennsylvania. The measure honors first responders by recognizing the upcoming Can-Am Police-Fire Games, a competition that brings together emergency personnel from across North America. It specifically acknowledges Butler County's role as the host location for these events, which have not been held on the East Coast in over 40 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the services, processes, and wait times provided by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services in Pennsylvania. The investigation will examine how long individuals with visual impairments wait for essential support and analyze how these delays affect their lives and career prospects. Additionally, the study will look into ways to improve efficiency, such as exploring partnerships with outside agencies to reduce waiting lists. The committee is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 180 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the State Highway Law to update the definition of the most recent edition of the Department of Agriculture's geographic information system. Specifically, it sets the baseline for weather data to the 2012 edition covering the period from 1976 through 2005. The change allows the Department of Agriculture to update this definition through future regulations as needed. This adjustment directly affects how weather data is referenced when planning the construction, improvement, maintenance, and repair of state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Poet Laureate position and a dedicated nomination committee to oversee the selection process. The Governor will appoint the poet laureate from a shortlist of candidates provided by the committee, which includes representatives from state arts and education agencies. The appointed poet will serve a two-year term without pay but will receive reimbursement for travel expenses while performing official duties such as reading poems at the governor's inauguration and legislative sessions. The legislation also establishes a specific committee structure to determine candidate qualifications and submit up to three finalists for the Governor's consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals and businesses from charging fees for helping veterans apply for benefits, with the exception of services allowed under federal law. It requires any paid assistance to be documented in a written agreement and bans guarantees of specific benefit outcomes or excessive charges. Violations of these rules are classified as a third-degree misdemeanor, and the law applies to anyone seeking compensation for veterans' benefit matters.