Rep. Lou Schmitt

Co-sponsor HB 622

In committee · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 622 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to impose stricter penalties for violations involving fentanyl. It creates a new felony offense for knowingly violating specific drug provisions related to fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, or any substance containing trace amounts of fentanyl. Individuals convicted face up to 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects those distributing, selling, or possessing fentanyl-related substances in violation of existing law.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter penalties including 20-year sentences for fentanyl violations, expanding criminalization per bill summary.95% confidence

In committee Feb 20, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary HB 539

In committee · Pennsylvania House · Lead sponsor

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in railroads, providing for train length; and imposing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 539 sets a maximum length of 8,500 feet for freight trains operated by railroads in Pennsylvania, directly affecting rail companies transporting goods within the state. The bill prohibits trains exceeding this length unless federal law requires an exception, which the state Public Utility Commission may allow under specific conditions. Violations incur escalating fines: $5,000-$10,000 for a first offense, increasing to $15,000-$20,000 for subsequent offenses within three years. Collected fines must be deposited into the state General Fund to support enforcement of this law.

TransportationSupports TransportationBill regulates freight train length for safety, enhancing rail infrastructure safety standards under transportation policy.90% confidence

In committee Feb 10, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 540

In committee · Pennsylvania House · Lead sponsor

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in railroads, providing for crew requirement; and imposing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 540 requires freight trains operating in Pennsylvania to have at least two crew members: one conductor and one locomotive engineer, directly affecting railroads transporting goods across the state. Exceptions include trains within repair facilities or under federal law compliance. Railroads violating this rule face escalating civil penalties ($5,000-$20,000 per offense), with fines deposited into the General Fund for enforcement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities code to establish these safety standards and penalties for noncompliance.

Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates two crew members for rail safety, directly improving workplace safety standards for railroad workers under Pennsylvania law.92% confidence TransportationSupports TransportationRequires two crew members for rail safety, enhancing transportation safety standards per bill language.92% confidence

In committee Feb 10, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 373

In committee · Pennsylvania House · Lead sponsor

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in abandoned vehicles and cargos, further providing for reports by private property owners of abandoned vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 373 clarifies Pennsylvania's definition of an "abandoned vehicle" in the vehicle code, specifying circumstances like a vehicle left unattended on private property without consent for more than 24 hours or on a wholesale vehicle auction's property without authorization for over three business days. The bill requires private property owners (including wholesale vehicle auctions) to file a report with local police before removing such vehicles, using a state-prescribed form. After police process the report within five business days, the property owner may legally remove, sell, or obtain ownership of the vehicle. This update streamlines procedures for handling abandoned vehicles on private property while adding specific rules for auction facilities.

In committee Jan 28, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor HB 140

Vetoed · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rules of the road in general, further providing for additional parking regulations.

Vetoed Nov 17, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 1830

In committee · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 25507, on that portion of State Route 3006 over the Kinzua Creek in the census-designated place of Westline, Lafayette Township, McKean County, as the Westline Veterans Memorial Bridge.

In committee Nov 14, 2022 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary HB 103

Signed into law · Pennsylvania House · Lead sponsor

An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in assault, further providing for the offense of assault of law enforcement officer, for the offense of assault by prisoner and for the offense of assault by life prisoner; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses and for sentences for offenses committed against law enforcement officer.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 0 co-sponsors

Co-sponsor HB 1486

Signed into law · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act amending Titles 74 (Transportation) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in turnpike, further providing for definitions, for electronic toll collection and for annual hearing; in registration of vehicles, providing for contributions for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, further providing for display of registration plate, providing for pollinator conservation registration plate, for Afghanistan and Iraq veterans plate and for Blue Star Family plate and further providing for suspension of registration upon unpaid tolls; in fees, further providing for payments to special funds and establishing the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for provisions relating to fare evasion.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor HB 2361

Signed into law · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran recognition, providing for Women Veterans Day.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor

Co-sponsor HB 875

Signed into law · Pennsylvania House · Co-sponsor

An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dissolution of marital status, further providing for decree of court.

Signed into law Nov 3, 2022 1 co-sponsor