Rep. Dan Williams

Maddy summaryHB 534 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to provide braille absentee ballots for voters who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled. It requires these voters to submit a written request to their county board of elections at least 45 days before an election, including specific details like their address and a request for braille format. The Department of State will handle ballot preparation, distribution, and create accessible voting guides in multiple formats. This change directly affects eligible voters with visual or mobility disabilities, ensuring they can independently access absentee ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 324 amends Pennsylvania's 1956 Poultry Technician Licensure Law to modernize requirements for professionals collecting poultry samples and conducting disease surveillance. It expands technicians' duties to include "regulatory sampling and testing procedures" for poultry diseases (beyond just pullorum testing), requires applicants to prove legal work authorization in the U.S. (replacing citizenship requirements), increases the license fee from $5 to $10, and allows Spanish-language training via quarantine orders. The bill directly affects poultry technicians seeking or renewing licenses to legally collect samples or conduct on-site disease monitoring. Key provisions update eligibility, fees, and the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to oversee licensing and enforce standards.

Maddy summaryHR 12 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the month through the House of Representatives. The resolution highlights the historical origins of Black History Month, including Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and notes the 2025 theme focused on African Americans and labor. This resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by designating the month for commemoration, without altering any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution (HR 39) is a symbolic tribute honoring former President Jimmy Carter following his death on December 29, 2024, at age 100. It commemorates his life, presidency, and humanitarian work - including the Camp David Accords, founding The Carter Center, and efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease - through a series of historical "whereas" statements. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or policies. The resolution serves only to formally extend the Pennsylvania General Assembly's condolences and recognize Carter's legacy. It is purely ceremonial, with no legislative or policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2, 2025, as "Rheumatoid Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to increase public understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic condition affecting joints and organs that impacts over 1.3 million Americans. It serves as a symbolic recognition with no legal or funding consequences, aiming to address gaps in awareness about the disease's symptoms and health risks. The resolution has no direct effect on legislation, healthcare policy, or individual residents' rights.

Maddy summaryHB 479 allows Pennsylvania voters to register to vote on election day at their polling place by presenting valid ID and submitting a registration form. It requires voters to show a government-issued ID (like a driver's license, passport, or military ID) and provides a temporary ballot that won't be counted until the state approves the registration within 10 days. The bill mandates that all polling places receive same-day registration forms and instructions for voters. This directly affects qualified Pennsylvania voters who maintain residence in an election district and need to register on election day.

Maddy summaryHB 201 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update how intermediate units (regional education agencies) manage facilities and receive state funding. It expands boards' authority to acquire land/buildings through purchase, lease, or gift (Section 914-A(11)), and requires pre-approval from the Secretary of Education for lease/loan agreements involving office, classroom, or warehouse space (Section 919.1-A(a)). The bill revises the capital subsidy calculation: the state will allocate funds based on each intermediate unit's student enrollment multiplied by the median per-student instructional cost across all districts, then applying a 0.03% rate. This directly affects intermediate units and school districts using their facilities, changing both facility management rules and state funding distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 443 modifies Pennsylvania's sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, including murder of an unborn child or a law enforcement officer. It reduces maximum sentences: for adults, from life imprisonment to 50 years; for offenders under 18, it sets a maximum of 40 years for those 15+ at the time of crime and 30 years for those under 15. The bill also establishes new parole timelines - 25 years for standard life sentences under this section, 20 years for those under 18 aged 15+, and 15 years for those under 15 - requiring the parole board to prioritize public safety, victim safety, and consider the offender's culpability before granting parole. Additionally, it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to be heard before parole decisions for these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 429 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to direct specific transfers from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund to address pension obligations. It requires $670 million to be transferred to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and $330 million to the State Employees' Retirement Fund by January 1, 2026, as one-time payments to reduce their unfunded pension liabilities. These transfers are separate from the fund's usual purpose of covering emergencies or economic downturns. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania's public employee pension systems, not general state programs or new legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to ban convicted individuals of riot or disorderly conduct offenses from owning, possessing, or caring for animals for at least two years. It mandates completion of violence prevention counseling as part of sentencing, with failure to comply considered a separate offense. Violating the animal ownership ban results in escalating misdemeanor charges: third-degree for the first violation (adding one year to the ban), second-degree for a second violation (adding five years), and first-degree for third or subsequent violations (adding ten years). The law applies only to those convicted under specific provisions of Title 18, directly affecting offenders in these cases.