Rep. Clint Owlett

Maddy summaryHB 1499 updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws under Title 23. It clarifies definitions, establishes clearer rules for awarding primary physical custody, and requires courts to consider criminal convictions when making custody decisions. The bill also mandates parenting plans and specifies factors judges must evaluate, directly affecting parents, judges, and child welfare agencies involved in custody cases. The legislation was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.

Maddy summaryHB 862 authorizes a land exchange between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Tioga County. Specifically, it allows the Department of General Services (with Governor and Military Affairs approval) to transfer a 0.431-acre parcel (Lot A) at the Wellsboro Readiness Center in Charleston Township to Tioga County, while accepting a comparable 0.431-acre parcel (Lot B) from the county. The bill prohibits the transferred land from being used for licensed facilities like nursing homes under Pennsylvania law. This exchange is intended to facilitate property management for the Wellsboro Readiness Center without altering land ownership beyond the specified parcels.

Maddy summaryHB 1366 adds specific rules for transferring elk hunting licenses in Pennsylvania. It allows license holders to transfer their license to another eligible hunter only for reimbursement of the license cost and any applicable transfer fees - not for profit. The bill prohibits monetary gain from transfers and imposes strict penalties, including a $10,000 fine, a five-year suspension of hunting privileges, and a permanent ban on future elk licenses, for violations. These changes apply directly to individuals holding or seeking to transfer elk hunting licenses under Pennsylvania's hunting regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new felony offenses for assaulting emergency responders (like police, EMTs, or firefighters) by exposing them to fentanyl or its derivatives. Intentionally throwing fentanyl at a responder while they are on duty (and knowing they are a responder) is a felony of the second degree. Unlawfully possessing fentanyl and causing a responder to come into contact with it is a felony of the third degree. The law defines "emergency responder" using existing Pennsylvania law and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 requires broadband grant programs under Pennsylvania's Broadband Development Authority to comply with the state's prevailing wage law. It mandates that grant materials include prevailing wage requirements and directs the Department of Labor to create new wage classifications specifically for broadband infrastructure workers, such as teledata linemen, groundmen, and cable splicers. The department must set fair wages based on federal standards and include labor market surveys to determine rates. This affects broadband project funders and contractors receiving state grants, ensuring workers on these projects earn locally established fair wages.

Maddy summaryHB 1170 allows Pennsylvania corrections officers to use electronic control gloves - gloves with electrodes emitting under 500 volts to temporarily immobilize individuals - in specific prison units. It requires these gloves only for officers assigned to units housing inmates who received disciplinary sanctions and are segregated from the general population. The department must create public policies on glove use, training, and maintenance, and officers must complete department-approved training before use. The bill also mandates compliance with existing use-of-force laws (18 Pa.C.S. § 508) and defines the gloves’ technical specifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1172 defines "utility terrain vehicle" (UTV) as a four-wheel off-road vehicle with specific size and weight limits (max 64 inches wide or 1,700 pounds), excluding ATVs, snowmobiles, and other vehicle types. The bill clarifies that state, local, and county authorities can designate roads for UTVs, snowmobiles, and ATVs, including whether these roads may share space with regular traffic. It requires helmets for snowmobile and ATV operators and passengers on shared roads but exempts UTVs equipped with bucket seats, seat belts, and roll cages. The law also directs the Department of Transportation to specify approved helmet types through regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 913 renames Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Environmental Services. The bill updates all references to the department in state law and outlines a phased transition for documents, signage, licenses, and computer systems to avoid disruption during the name change. It repeals outdated references to the "Department of Environmental Protection" while preserving existing powers, duties, and contracts. This is a procedural change with no impact on environmental policies or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 177 creates "Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zones" in Pennsylvania to support the state's dairy industry. It provides tax benefits - including exemptions, deductions, and credits - for businesses processing at least 75% Pennsylvania milk into dairy products within designated zones. To qualify, businesses must be located in a zone, process Pennsylvania milk locally, and meet specific requirements under the act. The bill directly affects dairy farmers, processors, and local governments by offering financial incentives to boost economic development in the sector.