Rep. Jesse Topper

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program allowing Pennsylvania drivers to voluntarily add emergency contacts and specific medical conditions to their official records. Participants can list up to two emergency contacts and report conditions such as deafness, autism spectrum disorder, or other communication impediments certified by a healthcare provider. The information is intended to assist law enforcement during official encounters, and the program is free of charge with no fees for enrollment. While the data is protected from public inspection under state law, the department must notify police agencies about the program's existence.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit program in Pennsylvania designed to help parents pay for their children's education outside of the public school system. It allows taxpayers who have eligible school-age children not currently enrolled in public schools to claim up to $8,000 per child annually for qualified expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, educational software, and standardized test fees. The credit can be used to reduce state tax liability or, if the amount exceeds the tax owed, it will be refunded to the taxpayer. To receive the benefit, parents must file a claim with the Department of Revenue, which will distribute the funds either via direct deposit or certified mail.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 2024 as MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to highlight a rare genetic condition that primarily affects boys. The bill aims to increase public understanding of the disorder's symptoms, which include severe gastrointestinal issues, frequent respiratory infections, and treatment-resistant seizures, while also noting its strong link to autism. By officially recognizing this month, the legislation seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by affected families and the ongoing research into potential future treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 2279 establishes the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program to provide tuition discounts for students attending specific in-demand occupations such as agriculture, engineering, and nursing. The bill defines key terms for the State System of Higher Education, including "in-demand occupation" as a job requiring high skills and offering family-sustaining wages, and creates new categories for university consolidations like the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. By amending the Public School Code of 1949, the legislation sets the legal framework and definitions necessary to administer this new scholarship initiative.