Rep. Frank Burns

Maddy summaryHB 1018 amends Pennsylvania's Steel Products Procurement Act to require public agencies to use steel products in public works contracts, directly affecting state and local governments purchasing materials for projects like roads or buildings. The bill adds specific restrictions on when public agencies can make payments to contractors, particularly under certain financial or project conditions. Key provisions clarify that agencies must prioritize steel products for eligible projects while implementing new payment rules to prevent potential misuse of funds. This changes existing procurement rules without altering the core requirement for steel use in public construction.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 48) formally recognizes May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2025, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, policies, or funding; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of existing national observances. The resolution cites historical context, including a 1962 congressional resolution designating May 15 as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the surrounding week as "Police Week." It serves only to express the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' symbolic support for honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryHB 771 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to clarify acceptable identification for voting. It specifies that voters must present a photo ID matching their name in the voter registry, including state driver's licenses, military IDs, student IDs, or employee IDs. Voters with religious objections to photo ID may use non-photo IDs like a without-photo driver's license or utility bills. Absentee and mail-in voters must provide either a driver's license number, last four digits of their Social Security number, or a copy of an acceptable non-photo ID. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania voters required to show ID when casting ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 requires Pennsylvania hospitals to publicly post detailed pricing information for standard medical services on their websites within six months of the law taking effect. Hospitals must list the full price (gross charge), negotiated prices for each insurance company (with the insurer's name), the minimum and maximum negotiated prices across all insurers, and the cash price for self-pay patients, along with service descriptions and standard billing codes. This transparency requirement applies to all hospitals and hospital systems in Pennsylvania and mandates ongoing disclosure even if federal pricing rules are repealed or no longer enforced.

Maddy summaryHB 1235 updates Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen oversight of electronic voting systems. It adds definitions for "ballot set" (different ballot types like mail-in or in-person) and "ballot style" (specific candidate arrangements per district), and requires county election boards to conduct mandatory pre-election logic and accuracy testing. This testing ensures voting machines are properly programmed, ballot layouts match official designs, and equipment accurately counts votes before each election. The bill directly affects county election boards, which must complete these tests and document results for all voting equipment used in upcoming elections.

Maddy summaryHB 1009 requires auto insurers to notify Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation within 10 days of issuing new insurance policies specifically used as proof of financial responsibility. This directly affects insurers and drivers who need to meet the state's minimum coverage requirements for vehicle operation. The bill adds a new provision to vehicle law mandating this reporting, effective 60 days after enactment. It focuses on streamlining proof of financial responsibility verification without changing coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle registration renewal process by requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles to send renewal notices 60 days before expiration, plus weekly text or email reminders (if contact info is on file) until renewal is completed. It applies to all vehicle owners in Pennsylvania, with commercial vehicles additionally requiring self-certification of safety inspections during renewal. The bill specifies that failing to receive a notice does not excuse the owner from renewing registration on time. This procedural change aims to reduce expired registrations through clearer communication, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1019 requires that all new construction or major repairs of natural gas gathering lines in Pennsylvania use steel products manufactured in the United States. This law directly affects construction companies and utility providers working on these specific pipelines, which transport natural gas from production sites to larger transmission systems. The requirement applies only to projects starting 60 days after the bill takes effect, not existing infrastructure. It amends Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Law to mandate U.S.-produced steel for steel components in these pipeline projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1017 amends Pennsylvania procurement law to give a 2% price preference to bids for American-made supplies, services, or construction. It directly affects all state government agencies and school entities (including public schools, charter schools, and school districts) when they award contracts. The bill requires agencies to subtract 2% from bids for items meeting the "American-made" definition (where at least 75% of material costs originate in the U.S.) and award contracts based on this adjusted price. Agencies must also verify this qualification with documentation before applying the preference. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's House Resolution 125 is a petition to Congress requesting an Article V constitutional convention to propose amendments focused on three specific areas: imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and setting term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution specifies that any convention must be limited to these topics only, cannot consider changes to the Bill of Rights, and requires two-thirds of states to apply for the same purpose before Congress acts. It details Pennsylvania's delegate selection process (five members chosen by the legislature with voting rules) and includes conditions like Congress only setting the convention's time/place, states having equal voting power, and delegates disqualifying if accepting gifts. The resolution explicitly recommends ratification of any amendments through state legislatures rather than conventions.