Rep. Dallas Kephart

Maddy summaryHB 1598 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to clarify and strengthen oversight of agency rules. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private sector, requiring agencies to include detailed cost estimates in regulatory proposals. The bill mandates agencies submit these cost analyses (prepared by the Independent Fiscal Office) with all new rules and adds a 14-day review window for committees if they object to economically significant regulations. This ensures greater transparency and legislative input before major rules take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1544 amends Pennsylvania's state employee retirement system rules, primarily affecting new House of Representatives members starting after December 1, 2026. It requires these new representatives to choose within 30 days of taking office whether to join the retirement system (as a member) or participate solely in the retirement plan (as a "plan participant"). If they fail to make this election, their service as a representative will not count toward future retirement benefits. The bill also clarifies that certain state employees (classified under subsections (a)(12)-(15)) cannot elect system membership.

Maddy summaryHB 1510 amends Pennsylvania's transportation laws to establish a structured framework for sustainable mobility programs, directly affecting state transportation agencies and organizations receiving state funds for projects like bike lanes, pedestrian infrastructure, or electric vehicle charging networks. Key provisions define sustainable mobility, streamline funding applications and approvals, clarify federal funding coordination, and create separate programs for asset improvements, new initiatives, and statewide projects. The bill also sets a small purchase threshold for simpler project approvals and removes outdated rules about evaluating private investment opportunities. These changes aim to standardize how the state manages and funds non-traditional transportation infrastructure.

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 1495 repeals Pennsylvania’s 1921 law imposing a tax on anthracite coal (P.L.479, No.225). This 104-year-old statute, which set declining tax rates (1.5% to 0.5%) and required annual reporting for coal mined or processed in the state, expired in 1931 and has not been enforced since. The bill formally removes this obsolete law from the state’s statutes, as it no longer affects any current tax obligations or regulations. No entities or individuals are directly impacted by this repeal, as the original tax was already inactive for over nine decades.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 48006 (on State Route 3007 over Carson Run in Knox Township, Clearfield County) as the "Sgt. Ronald Bloom Memorial Bridge." It honors Sergeant Ronald Bloom, a Clearfield County native who enlisted in the Marines in 1967, was killed in action in Vietnam at age 21, and received multiple military medals including the Purple Heart. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the bridge, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1438 designates a specific segment of State Route 2051 in Osceola Mills Borough, Clearfield County, as the "IC3 James S. Dunlap Memorial Highway." The bill names the portion from Elizabeth Street (segment 0020/offset 1600) to the Decatur Township Line (segment 0030/offset 0000) to honor Petty Officer Third Class James S. Dunlap, a U.S. Navy Interior Communications Electrician (IC3) who died on the USS Stark in 1987. The Department of Transportation will install and maintain directional signs along this highway segment. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement that taxpayers make payments of $15,000 or more electronically for personal income tax, along with related penalties for non-compliance. It replaces these rules by adding a new provision requiring the Department of Revenue to accept all payment methods without penalties for taxpayers. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses paying Pennsylvania personal income tax, removing a specific electronic payment mandate and associated fines. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, making all payment methods equally acceptable without penalty.

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 1184 imposes a temporary pause on new or expanded health insurance coverage requirements (mandated benefits) in Pennsylvania. It directly affects insurers and employers who would otherwise be required to cover new treatments, equipment, or provider-specific services under health insurance policies. The bill requires the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study existing state-mandated health benefits by December 2026, analyzing their costs, fiscal impact, and effectiveness. The study must also determine if current mandates trigger federal payment obligations. The moratorium takes effect immediately and remains in place until the committee submits its report.