Rep. Joe Hamm

Maddy summaryHB 871 requires anyone who spills, discharges, or releases an unpermitted substance into Pennsylvania waters (or areas likely to reach them) to notify the state environmental department if the discharge could harm public health or the environment. The bill mandates that the Environmental Quality Board create specific, publicly reviewed thresholds for determining when notice is required within 180 days, and finalize these regulations within 365 days. It directly affects businesses, industries, and others handling substances that could pollute waterways. The law changes existing pollution rules by adding this notice obligation, rather than altering pollution limits or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most construction and land development projects to obtain an erosion and sediment control permit from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before starting earth disturbance work (like clearing land or building). It sets a 45-day deadline for DEP to process permits, or 20 days if a licensed engineer submits the application, and mandates clear written reasons for denials. The DEP must also submit an annual report to the legislature by January 31st, detailing permit applications, approvals, processing times, staff workload, and fees collected by industry sector. This directly affects construction companies, developers, and the DEP, which must manage permits and reporting under new timelines and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 874 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to clarify definitions and update rules for temporary exemptions. It specifically revises the definition of "public water system" to exclude religious facilities (like churches) using private wells for drinking water, while clarifying that systems serving at least 15 connections or 25 daily users qualify as public systems. The bill also modifies how the Department can grant exemptions from water quality standards, requiring proof that exemptions won’t risk health (including no microbial contaminant evidence) and setting federal expiration dates for such exemptions. These changes directly affect public water systems, small communities, and religious organizations relying on private wells, with the law taking effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 869 exempts nonpublic schools and home education programs in Pennsylvania from state emergency orders during disaster declarations, such as those issued by the Governor or the Secretary of Health under Pennsylvania law. This applies to institutions like church schools, home school groups, nonprofit schools, and one-room schools that meet legal requirements for educating students. The bill adds this exemption to the Public School Code of 1949, meaning these schools would not be required to close or follow specific health directives during declared emergencies. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Storm Water Management Act to allow municipal roadmasters to redirect or modify road projects in specific watershed areas to reduce storm water impacts. It directly affects local municipalities and their roadmasters, giving them flexibility in planning road infrastructure within designated watershed zones. The key change adds a new provision (Section 5(d)) requiring watershed storm water plans to include options for road project adjustments, without creating new regulations or funding. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania counties to develop and update storm water management plans for every watershed within their borders. Counties must create these plans within two years of the environmental department issuing guidelines and review and revise them at least every five years. Municipalities without public water or sewer systems are exempt from participating in the plans. The bill specifies deadlines and regular review intervals for existing county plans under the Storm Water Management Act.

Maddy summaryHB 854 requires school board members to recuse themselves from voting on collective bargaining agreements if their spouse, romantic partner, or household member is part of the bargaining unit covered by that agreement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish this conflict-of-interest rule, directly affecting school board members during contract negotiations. Key provisions mandate automatic recusal for board members with personal ties to the employees covered by the agreement being voted on. The rule takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to prevent potential bias in negotiations.

Maddy summaryHB 864 repeals Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program regulations (25 Pa. Code Ch. 126 Subch. D), which governed state-level requirements for electric and low-emission vehicles. This directly affects automakers, dealers, and consumers participating in Pennsylvania's clean vehicle initiatives. The bill removes specific regulatory requirements without establishing new rules, effective 60 days after enactment. It is a procedural change eliminating existing code provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 857 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to update reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance services under Medicaid programs. It requires the state to pay ambulance providers the higher of either Medicare's 2023 rates or current Medicaid ambulance fees (as updated in 2023) for services provided to Medicaid enrollees starting January 1, 2024. For services where patients declined transport, new rates based on 2025 Medicare data or updated Medicaid fees will apply beginning July 1, 2025. This directly affects licensed emergency medical services agencies that provide ambulance transport to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 834 requires all Pennsylvania public agencies (including state, local, judicial, and legislative bodies) to post monthly financial disbursement records online by the end of each month. Agencies must also certify quarterly to the Auditor General that all prior quarter records are publicly available. The Auditor General will conduct periodic audits to verify compliance, and individuals can sue agencies for violations to obtain court-ordered corrections, with potential recovery of attorney fees. This bill directly affects how public funds are disclosed, making monthly spending data immediately accessible to the public rather than requiring annual reports.