Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryHB 1034 amends Pennsylvania's 1951 Landlord and Tenant Act to clarify utility payment rules for renters. It requires landlords who collect water, sewer, gas, or electricity payments directly from tenants to include a written notice in the lease about this obligation and provide a copy of the utility bill to the tenant within five days of a written request. The bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in Pennsylvania rental agreements. Key provisions ensure transparency by mandating written notice and timely access to billing information, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 121 is a symbolic resolution passed by Pennsylvania's House of Representatives designating March 18, 2025, as "National Transit Worker Appreciation Day" in the state. It recognizes the work of Pennsylvania's public transit workers, including bus operators, train drivers, and maintenance staff, who serve over 1 million daily riders across all 67 counties. The resolution aims to publicly thank these workers for their role in connecting communities to jobs, healthcare, and education, while raising awareness about their safety concerns and the importance of public transportation. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal expression of appreciation for transit workers' contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 969, the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act, requires Pennsylvania state buildings and properties to adopt outdoor lighting that minimizes light pollution and glare. It mandates new outdoor lighting must be fully shielded (directing light downward to prevent upward scatter), limit color temperature to warmer tones (reducing blue light that disrupts ecosystems), and incorporate features like motion sensors or dimming controls. The Department of General Services must manage and enforce these standards for all state-owned facilities. The bill sets a model for private businesses and residents to follow in adopting responsible lighting practices.

Maddy summaryHB 438 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to allow taxpayers to remove a deceased spouse's name from real estate tax bills. It directly affects homeowners who are now required to submit a written request and a death certificate to both their tax collector and county assessment office. The key provision, added as Section 6.1, creates a formal process for this removal without requiring court action. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 138) orders Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission to study civic education in the state and develop cost-effective recommendations to improve it. It directly affects Pennsylvania students and schools by requiring an analysis of current civics assessments (under Act 35 of 2018), comparisons with high-performing states, and strategies to strengthen civic education across three pillars: knowledge, skills, and action. The study must include evaluations of existing assessment methods, successful models from other states, and approaches to boost student engagement, with a report due within 18 months. The resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy based on evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 974 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to clarify how agencies assess the specificity of written public records requests. It requires agencies to consider three factors when determining if a request is specific enough: the burden on the agency to locate records within time limits, potential privacy or proprietary harm to third parties, and compliance with federal or state disclosure laws. This change directly affects agencies handling public records requests and requesters seeking information under the law. The bill does not alter who can request records or basic submission methods, but refines the process for evaluating request clarity. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the month to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of early screening and prevention based on current health data. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage residents to prioritize screenings and adopt preventive health habits. It aligns with national awareness efforts and references recent medical recommendations for screenings starting at age 45.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 18-24, 2025, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes emergency medical services (EMS) providers - including paramedics, first responders, dispatchers, and volunteers - for their 24/7 lifesaving work. The resolution has no policy or funding changes; it is purely a ceremonial acknowledgment of EMS teams' contributions to public health and safety. It directly affects Pennsylvania EMS personnel by honoring their service during this designated week.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 29, 2025, as "22nd Amendment Day" in Pennsylvania. It commemorates Pennsylvania's ratification of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on April 29, 1947, which established presidential term limits. The resolution has no legal effect and serves only as a ceremonial observance. It does not alter any laws or impact any individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHB 951 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration laws to replace the term "handicapped" with "accessible" in all state materials related to disability plates, placards, and parking regulations. It updates the exemption for nonprofit organizations serving individuals with disabilities to use the phrase "individuals with mental or physical disabilities" instead of outdated language. The bill also revises city parking regulations to require the use of "accessible" in signage, permit programs, and enforcement materials for cities of the first and second class. These changes apply directly to disabled individuals using state-issued plates, nonprofits serving them, and city parking authorities managing parking systems.