Rep. Brian Smith

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2395 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on lumber purchased for personal, non-business use. The bill defines 'lumber' as processed hardwood or softwood intended for construction and sets a six-month window starting July 1, 2026, during which this tax break applies. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance explaining how to implement this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to provide temporary fuel price relief by reducing specific taxes on gasoline and fees for electric vehicle road users. For the first six months after it takes effect, the state will eliminate certain fuel taxes, and for the following six months, it will cut those fees by half. To ensure consumers benefit directly, the law requires fuel dealers to pass these savings on by lowering sale prices and prohibits them from keeping the tax reduction as extra profit. The Department of Revenue must estimate the resulting loss in state revenue, and the State Treasurer is then required to transfer that amount from a budget reserve fund to maintain highway maintenance financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Temporary Budget Continuity Act, allows Pennsylvania state agencies to continue operating if the legislature fails to pass a new budget by the start of the fiscal year. It authorizes the State Treasurer to spend up to 85% of the funding levels from the previous year for existing programs and services. Any money spent under this temporary authority will be subtracted from the final budget amounts when the new appropriation act is eventually passed. The law ensures that government functions can continue without interruption while maintaining strict limits on spending to prevent budget overruns.

Maddy summaryHB 1929 designates an annual "Charlie Kirk Day" in Pennsylvania for commemoration. The bill requires the governor to issue a yearly proclamation recognizing Charlie Kirk, though the bill does not specify his role or contributions. This is a procedural, symbolic measure with no policy changes, funding, or direct impact on residents or programs. It remains pending in the Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2371 modifies Pennsylvania's tax code to temporarily exempt mobile telecommunications services from sales and gross receipts taxes for six months starting in 2026. The bill requires providers to report these services separately and mandates that the tax savings be passed directly to consumers through lower bills, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation ensures that a specific transfer of funds from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act remains consistent with the previous fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax rules for electric, waterpower, and hydro-electric utilities. It establishes a six-month tax holiday where these companies pay no gross receipts tax, starting in July 2026. The legislation requires utilities to pass the savings from this holiday directly to consumers as a reduction in their bills, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill mandates that money transferred from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act for the 2026-2027 fiscal year must match or exceed the amount transferred in the previous year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax law to establish a temporary lower tax rate of 2.99% for six months starting in 2026, before reverting to the standard rate of 3.07%. It applies this reduced rate to income earned by residents and nonresidents from sources within the state. Additionally, the legislation requires employers to withhold taxes from employee paychecks in a way that accounts for this temporary rate change. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, or later if the law is not signed into effect sooner.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hyperscale data centers in Pennsylvania to build their own baseload power generation and pay for all costs to connect that power to the grid, regardless of distance. It mandates that electric distribution companies cooperate with these data centers by planning for their energy needs and prohibiting cross-subsidization of their rates with other customers. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for long-term power contracts used by default service providers and gives the state commission authority to define what qualifies as a hyperscale data center.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Pennsylvania Route 18 in Beaver Falls as the Sgt. Allan R. Bevington Memorial Highway. The designation honors Sergeant Allan R. Bevington, a local veteran who served in the Army and died while disarming an explosive device in Iraq in 2006. The Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions on that road segment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify rules for organized motorcycle processions and funerals. It allows drivers in these groups to ignore red lights and stop signs if the lead vehicle proceeds legally, provided they use emergency flashers and headlamps. The legislation also defines specific requirements for organized motorcycle processions, such as having at least 10 participants, being sponsored by a nonprofit, and wearing reflective vests. Additionally, it ensures that vehicles in caravans or motorcades outside urban areas must maintain safe distances to allow other cars to merge safely.