Rep. Marty Causer

Maddy summaryHB 861 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to change how funds from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund are distributed. It requires annual transfers to the State Racing Fund specifically for medication testing costs at horse racing facilities, including personnel, equipment, and supplies (excluding stables). These funds must be transferred in 52 equal weekly installments before other distributions, with the provision expiring June 30, 2028. This directly affects horse racing facilities, the commission overseeing medication testing, and the fund's allocation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 25406 on Pennsylvania Route 346 over Willow Creek in Corydon Township, McKean County, as the "Private First Class Bruce A. Cobb Memorial Bridge." It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the bridge, honoring Cobb's military service and burial location in the area. The bill directly affects the bridge's official identification and signage for public traffic. (Procedural bill; summary focuses on the concrete naming action and sign requirement.)

Maddy summaryHB 954 amends Pennsylvania's 2008 Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act to adjust penalties for violations. It increases fines for drivers or owners of heavy diesel vehicles (over 10,001 pounds gross weight) engaged in commerce, or operators of locations where such vehicles load, unload, or park, who violate idling restrictions. The bill sets a fine range of $150 to $300 per offense, plus court costs. This directly affects commercial truck drivers, delivery fleets, and businesses operating large diesel vehicles. The change modifies existing penalty levels without altering the idling ban itself.

Maddy summaryHB 685 requires Pennsylvania schools to accept U.S. currency as payment for admission to school-sponsored activities, such as athletic events, assemblies, or field trips. It applies to all school entities, including public school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in school activities. The bill mandates that cash must be accepted when fees are charged, while allowing schools to also accept other payment methods like credit cards. It defines "cash" as U.S. coins and paper money recognized as legal tender and clarifies that schools may refuse payments in large denominations that exceed the fee amount.

Maddy summaryHB 857 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs. It requires the state to pay ambulance providers the higher of either Medicare's 2023 rates or current Medicaid ambulance fees (as updated in 2023) for services provided to Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2024. For services where patients declined transport, new rates based on 2025 Medicare data or updated Medicaid fees will apply beginning July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed emergency medical services agencies that provide ambulance transport to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 849 creates a new felony offense for child abuse offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements under Pennsylvania law. It makes it a felony of the second degree (or first degree for repeat violations) to miss registration deadlines, provide inaccurate information, fail to verify address or employment, or skip required counseling. The bill requires offenders to register with the Pennsylvania State Police, update details regularly, and provide complete personal information, with police authorized to arrest without a warrant for violations. This directly affects individuals convicted of child abuse offenses who are subject to registration under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 712 requires local telecommunications companies in Pennsylvania to immediately report any 911 system outages to the Public Utility Commission upon discovery. This bill directly affects telecom providers operating 911 services, mandating timely reporting to ensure the Commission is notified of service failures. The key provision (Section 1501.2) specifies that failure to report constitutes a violation of existing service standards under Title 66. The bill does not alter 911 system functionality but establishes a reporting obligation for outages. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 700 creates a new, non-lapsing "Home and Community-Based Services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Augmentation Account" within Pennsylvania's General Fund. It directs funds from the sale of former state centers for intellectual disabilities, annual transfers from the General Fund (based on prior-year funding levels), and operational cost savings from closed centers into this account. The money must be used by the Department of Human Services to provide home and community-based supports, housing assistance, and emergency waiting list services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This bill directly affects people with intellectual disabilities receiving these services and the Department of Human Services managing the funds.

Maddy summaryHB 546 creates a military exception for minors under 18 seeking a junior driver's license in Pennsylvania. It allows the state to count time spent with a learner's permit and driving practice hours completed in another state toward eligibility requirements. This applies specifically to minors who are family members of active duty military members living in Pennsylvania with them, hold a valid out-of-state learner's permit, and have received a Pennsylvania learner's permit. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation must credit this prior experience if all conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHB 548 strengthens Pennsylvania's state preemption of local firearm regulations by declaring that all aspects of firearm regulation - including purchase, sale, possession, and transportation - must follow state law, invalidating any conflicting local ordinances. It directly affects counties, municipalities, and townships that previously enacted stricter gun rules, as well as residents, gun dealers, or organizations challenging such local laws. Key provisions include creating legal remedies for those harmed by illegal local regulations (allowing lawsuits for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions) and explicitly stating that state law supersedes all local efforts. The bill takes effect in 90 days for its core preemption rules, requiring local governments to align with state firearm laws immediately.