Rep. Brian Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a curfew law for minors under 18 in Pennsylvania municipalities, making it a summary offense for them to remain in public places during designated curfew hours. The legislation allows minors to avoid penalties if they are accompanied by an adult, traveling by motor vehicle or public transit, going to or from work without detours, responding to an emergency, or attending or returning from school, religious, or recreational activities. Local governments will have the authority to set specific curfew times and enforce these rules within their jurisdictions. The law defines "minor" as anyone under 18 and "adult" as anyone 18 or older, and it will become effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called looting in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting theft that occurs during or right after natural disasters, lawful protests, or civil disobedience demonstrations. It defines looting as committing burglary, retail theft, or organized retail theft during these specific events and classifies the offense as a second-degree felony. The legislation includes a detailed list of what counts as a natural disaster, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes. If passed, the law will take effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill authorizes the Department of Corrections to issue electronic control gloves to corrections officers, with mandatory distribution required for officers working in units housing inmates who have received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The legislation mandates that the department create public written policies for the use, training, maintenance, and storage of these devices and requires all officers to complete an approved training course before receiving them. Additionally, the bill defines electronic control gloves as gloves with electrodes that emit less than 500 volts to temporarily immobilize or restrain individuals and requires their use to comply with existing state guidelines on law enforcement use of force.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Pennsylvania Commission on Game and Fisheries the authority to create and update rules regarding boat registrations, licenses, permits, and safety plates. It specifically covers procedures for transferring boat ownership, managing passenger-carrying vessels, and collecting accident statistics. A key provision explicitly prohibits the commission from requiring permits or registrations for non-motorized boats in any state park, forest, or waterway. The legislation also establishes penalty levels for violations, such as operating a passenger boat without a license or failing to display required identification numbers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's laws on obstructing governmental operations by updating the definition of resisting arrest. It classifies the act as a second-degree misdemeanor when someone intentionally creates a risk of bodily injury to a public servant or uses force to overcome resistance during a lawful arrest or duty. The legislation directly affects individuals who confront law enforcement officers and aims to clarify the specific actions that constitute this offense. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

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 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 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of all permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection. The review will examine the department's legal authority, track permit wait times and application methods, and compare state practices to identify areas for improvement. The committee must submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the chairs of the relevant environmental committees within one year. This action is intended to assess the efficiency and clarity of the permitting process without changing any existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum from exercising any jurisdiction or authority within Pennsylvania. It explicitly bans state and local government agencies from enforcing, implementing, or complying with any rules, regulations, fees, taxes, or mandates issued by these three international groups. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into legislation.