Rep. Kathy Rapp

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Pennsylvania law to establish a long-term system for managing infectious diseases, particularly within care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living residences. It mandates the Governor to select a private organization via competitive bid to manage a statewide stockpile of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns, which must be stored in four regional locations. The selected organization is required to contract with manufacturers that are based in Pennsylvania and to maintain a stockpile that matches or exceeds the previous year's purchases, up to a maximum of four times the prior volume. Additionally, the bill defines specific roles, including an infectious disease coordinator for each facility, and sets up an advisory commission to oversee emergency responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2024 as "Life Month" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. It calls on churches, businesses, and communities across the state to celebrate this date and reflect on the protection of unborn children. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic commemoration of the shift in legal status regarding abortion rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania municipalities to use brine from oil and gas wells on local roads to reduce dust and stabilize surfaces. It permits towns to hire others to spread the brine if the municipality gives specific instructions for doing so. The law also states that no state agency can require extra approval for this use and sets a safety rule that brine cannot be applied within 150 feet of any body of water.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws on negligence to allow injured parties to recover damages even if they share some fault with the person who caused the injury, provided their fault is not greater than the defendant's. It requires courts to split the total damage award among all responsible parties based on their specific percentage of fault, rather than holding one defendant fully liable for the entire cost. However, the law still makes the defendant fully responsible for the total damages in specific situations, such as cases involving intentional harm, hazardous substance releases, or when the defendant is found to be at least 60% at fault. Additionally, the bill allows courts to consider the fault of people who are not currently part of the lawsuit, such as those who have already settled or are immune from suit, when calculating how much each defendant must pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's County Code to update the list of purchases that county commissioners can make without requiring public advertising or competitive bidding. Specifically, it clarifies that the purchase of milk by second-class A counties falls under this exemption, allowing these entities to acquire milk directly without a formal bidding process. The change applies only to second-class A counties and does not alter the procedures for other county classes or types of purchases. The legislation is set to take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the State Employees' Retirement Board to livestream their public meetings and post unedited video and written records online for at least three years. It also clarifies that sensitive investment information, such as details about alternative investments, will remain confidential to protect financial interests but will eventually become public once the risk of competitive harm or negative impact on investment value no longer exists. Additionally, the legislation mandates that specific basic details about alternative investment vehicles, including the manager's identity and the amount of money committed, must always be accessible to the public. These changes aim to increase transparency in how the boards manage records and conduct business while safeguarding sensitive financial data.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania resolution designates May 2024 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month to highlight the condition known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The bill directly affects the state's House of Representatives and aims to increase public understanding of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and affects thousands of adults annually. By officially recognizing this month, the legislation seeks to acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and their families while promoting awareness of ongoing research efforts. The measure does not alter laws or allocate funding, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to foster community recognition of the disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Bigler Township, Clearfield County, as the Sergeant John Harold Branic Memorial Bridge to honor a local Marine who died in World War II. It requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic in both directions. The legislation recognizes Sergeant Branic, the first Madera resident killed in the war, whose remains were identified decades after he was declared missing in action. The act takes effect 60 days after being passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to change the penalty for a specific violation of the law. Currently, the violation is classified as a misdemeanor with potential jail time or a fine, but this legislation would reduce it to a summary offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of $500. The change directly affects individuals who commit the prohibited act outlined in clause (31) of the act's subsection (a). The bill is set to take effect 60 days after it is passed.