Rep. Scott Barger

Maddy summaryHR 320 is a procedural resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study how the Department of Transportation manages and implements modernization practices. It requires the committee to produce a report on the current status of these practices within the DOT. This resolution does not create new laws or directly affect citizens; it only initiates a study to assess existing DOT operations. The committee will examine current methods for updating transportation systems, infrastructure, and technology. The bill was referred to the Transportation committee on September 22, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 designates a specific bridge (Bridge Key 69488 on State Route 3005 over North Witmer Run in Irvona Borough, Clearfield County) as the "World War II Veteran Pvt. Wilbur Russell Rea Memorial Bridge." The bill commemorates Pvt. Wilbur Russell Rea, a local WWII soldier who died in combat in Okinawa in 1945, by requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain directional signs naming the bridge. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1813 repeals Pennsylvania's 1932 Emergency Relief Sales Tax Act, which imposed a 1% tax on sales of tangible personal property during a specific six-month period ending February 1933. The bill removes this historical tax provision, which was designed to fund emergency relief during the Great Depression and expired decades ago. No new taxes, requirements, or affected parties are created by this repeal, as the original law was never active in modern times. This is a straightforward legislative cleanup of an obsolete statute with no current impact on taxpayers or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1786 updates Pennsylvania's unclaimed property procedures under the Fiscal Code. It requires finders of unclaimed property to register certificates and mandates clearer notice and publication of property lists held by the Commonwealth. The bill clarifies how the state manages and disposes of abandoned property, directly affecting property finders and the state treasury. These changes aim to improve transparency and efficiency in returning unclaimed assets to rightful owners.

Maddy summaryHB 1781 requires organizations receiving Pennsylvania state grants (like nonprofits or contractors) to verify the employment eligibility of new employees using the federal E-Verify system. It establishes a Commonwealth Grantee Employment Verification Account and mandates that grant recipients complete a specific verification form confirming their use of E-Verify before receiving grant funds. The bill imposes penalties for willful violations, such as failing to verify eligibility or providing false information, and prohibits discrimination during verification. This applies to all grantees, contractors, and subcontractors funded by state grants used for employee wages, directly affecting entities receiving public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1695 amends Pennsylvania's 2019 law abolishing state authorities by changing the composition of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and transferring related duties. It also addresses the Interstate Rail Passenger Advisory Council Compact and cancels an executive order related to this council. The bill focuses on structural adjustments to existing state bodies rather than creating new policies. (Procedural bill; summary adheres to 1-2 sentence limit.)

Maddy summaryHB 1682 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to require that if the state budget (general appropriation bill) isn't passed by June 30 for the next fiscal year, compensation for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of the General Assembly is suspended until the budget is enacted. Once the budget passes, the suspended pay is paid retroactively starting July 1. This procedural bill directly affects state executive and legislative leaders by linking their pay to the timely passage of the annual budget. It does not change substantive policy but establishes a specific financial consequence for budget delays.

Maddy summaryHB 1649 eliminates school district property taxes on residential and commercial properties in Pennsylvania. It replaces these taxes with two new revenue sources: a 2% increase to county-level sales, use, and occupancy taxes (with some exclusions like clothing and candy removed), and a local income tax of up to 1.88% on resident taxpayers' earned income and retirement benefits (excluding Social Security). The bill establishes two funds - the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund (to distribute sales tax revenue to school districts) and the School District Emergency Fund - and requires landlords to reduce rents for tenants by the amount of eliminated property taxes. This directly affects property owners, school districts, and landlords/tenants, shifting funding responsibility from property taxes to broader consumption and income-based taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 amends Pennsylvania's fee structure for corporate filings under Title 15, specifically adjusting the corporation bureau's fee schedule for business registrations and UCC filings. It directly exempts volunteer fire companies from paying certain fees and from solicitation requirements typically applied to new corporations. The bill streamlines administrative processes for these organizations by removing financial barriers related to incorporation and business filings. This change applies to all volunteer fire companies operating within Pennsylvania under the state's corporate statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1571 is a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act, which establishes protections against discrimination. The bill would modify provisions related to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, though specific changes to the Commission's structure or authority are not detailed in the provided context. It directly affects the Commission's operational framework and potentially impacts how discrimination complaints are handled. The bill was recently referred to the State Government committee on June 9, 2025, but no further details about its provisions are available in the current context.