Rep. Aaron Bernstine

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's transportation laws to establish specific rules for selecting projects funded by the Multimodal Fund. It requires the Department of Transportation to award grants competitively without reserving a fixed percentage of money for any single applicant before the application process is finished. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department give priority to projects using recycled materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement and recycled asphalt shingles. These changes aim to ensure fair competition while encouraging the use of sustainable building materials in state-funded infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2395 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt individuals from paying sales and use tax on lumber purchased for personal, non-business use. The bill defines 'lumber' as processed hardwood or softwood intended for construction and sets a six-month window starting July 1, 2026, during which this tax break applies. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue is required to publish online guidance explaining how to implement this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals applying for or receiving public assistance in Pennsylvania to participate in an identification program that includes placing their photograph on electronic benefit cards and may involve fingerprinting. County officials would be tasked with verifying this photographic identification before issuing any aid to ensure proper recipient verification. The law aims to update administrative procedures within the Human Services Code by mandating these specific identification methods for all assistance recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to provide temporary fuel price relief by reducing specific taxes on gasoline and fees for electric vehicle road users. For the first six months after it takes effect, the state will eliminate certain fuel taxes, and for the following six months, it will cut those fees by half. To ensure consumers benefit directly, the law requires fuel dealers to pass these savings on by lowering sale prices and prohibits them from keeping the tax reduction as extra profit. The Department of Revenue must estimate the resulting loss in state revenue, and the State Treasurer is then required to transfer that amount from a budget reserve fund to maintain highway maintenance financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as "Donate Life Month" and April 10, 2026, as "Blue and Green Day" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public support for donation efforts. It highlights Pennsylvania's existing donation statistics and the work of state health agencies and organ procurement organizations in promoting donor registration. The measure is intended to increase visibility for organ donation awareness campaigns during the designated month and day.

Maddy summaryHB 1929 designates an annual "Charlie Kirk Day" in Pennsylvania for commemoration. The bill requires the governor to issue a yearly proclamation recognizing Charlie Kirk, though the bill does not specify his role or contributions. This is a procedural, symbolic measure with no policy changes, funding, or direct impact on residents or programs. It remains pending in the Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2371 modifies Pennsylvania's tax code to temporarily exempt mobile telecommunications services from sales and gross receipts taxes for six months starting in 2026. The bill requires providers to report these services separately and mandates that the tax savings be passed directly to consumers through lower bills, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation ensures that a specific transfer of funds from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act remains consistent with the previous fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax rules for electric, waterpower, and hydro-electric utilities. It establishes a six-month tax holiday where these companies pay no gross receipts tax, starting in July 2026. The legislation requires utilities to pass the savings from this holiday directly to consumers as a reduction in their bills, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill mandates that money transferred from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act for the 2026-2027 fiscal year must match or exceed the amount transferred in the previous year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's personal income tax law to establish a temporary lower tax rate of 2.99% for six months starting in 2026, before reverting to the standard rate of 3.07%. It applies this reduced rate to income earned by residents and nonresidents from sources within the state. Additionally, the legislation requires employers to withhold taxes from employee paychecks in a way that accounts for this temporary rate change. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, or later if the law is not signed into effect sooner.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Pennsylvania Route 18 in Beaver Falls as the Sgt. Allan R. Bevington Memorial Highway. The designation honors Sergeant Allan R. Bevington, a local veteran who served in the Army and died while disarming an explosive device in Iraq in 2006. The Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions on that road segment.