Rep. Joe Hamm

Maddy summaryHB 328 amends Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to require the Department of Environmental Protection to authorize stream clearing activities up to 250 feet from water obstructions (like dams) when issuing emergency permits during declared disasters. It directly affects Commonwealth agencies and local governments seeking emergency clearance for flood or safety risks. The bill mandates this 250-foot radius for emergency permits requested by these entities when a Federal, State, or county disaster emergency is officially declared. This change streamlines emergency response without altering standard permit requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 327 creates a new continuous maintenance permit for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and municipalities (including counties, cities, and townships) to maintain waterways, dams, and related infrastructure without needing repeated state approvals. To qualify, applicants must have no history of significant violations and agree to maintain specified areas under the permit. Permits last at least 10 years, require annual reports of maintenance activities by January 15 each year, and can be renewed automatically after 10 years of compliance. This streamlines routine upkeep while ensuring accountability through reporting and adherence to engineering standards.

Maddy summaryHB 277 allows victims of sex trafficking to sue individuals or entities that recruit, profit from, or advertise for sex trade activities. The bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a civil legal pathway for victims to seek remedies in court, specifically targeting those who recruit victims, maintain them in sex trade acts, or cause bodily harm during such acts. It directly affects victims of sex trafficking and those who exploit them through recruitment, advertising, or financial gain. The law does not change criminal penalties but adds a civil remedy for victims to pursue compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 346 requires Pennsylvania public fund managers to assess geopolitical risks - such as those from war, terrorism, or international tensions - before investing in assets domiciled in foreign countries or with significant economic ties to them. Fund managers must adopt investment policies evaluating supply chain risks and foreign asset proportions, while coordinating with existing laws like the 2010 Protecting Pennsylvania's Investments Act. The bill mandates an annual public report listing all foreign investments as of June 30, published online by December 31 each year. This directly affects Pennsylvania’s public funds, including pension and investment accounts, by adding a standardized risk evaluation step to their investment processes.

Maddy summaryHB 330 requires Pennsylvania state agencies that use federal funds to join the federal "Do-Not-Pay Initiative" by verifying payments through an online system and reviewing payment data to prevent errors. Agencies must submit annual reports detailing improper payments identified or prevented, associated savings, and weaknesses in financial controls. The law mandates participation within two years of the bill's effective date and requires reports to be shared with state oversight bodies and the legislature. It directly affects all Commonwealth agencies managing federal funds by adding new verification and reporting obligations to reduce payment errors.

Maddy summaryHB 347 allows oil and gas companies to lease subsurface rights beneath Pennsylvania's state forests and parks for drilling, provided the drilling originates outside these areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) must review applications, with disapproval possible for environmental violations or projects causing significant harm, and companies can appeal denials to court. All lease revenue goes into the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, with upfront payments specifically directed to a restricted account funding stream maintenance and clearing projects. The bill also cancels prior executive orders and policies restricting such leasing on state lands.

Maddy summaryHB 298 (Pennsylvania, 2025) requests federal approval for a waiver to change how medical assistance eligibility is managed for certain adults. It would allow Pennsylvania to deny eligibility for up to six months if nondisabled, nonpregnant adults aged 19-64 fail to report changes affecting their benefits, require biannual eligibility reviews (instead of annual), and eliminate automatic renewal requirements. The bill directly affects adults in this age group who don’t report income or other changes impacting their medical assistance. If approved, the state must report the waiver to state officials and publish it in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This focuses on administrative process changes, not eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 299 designates March 4 as Charter Day, June 14 as Flag Day, and September 17 as Constitution Day for annual observance in Pennsylvania. The bill explains these dates commemorate historical events: William Penn's 1681 charter, the 1777 adoption of the U.S. flag, and the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution. Crucially, the bill clarifies that these designations do not require employers to treat the days as official holidays or provide paid leave. This is a commemorative measure with no new legal obligations for businesses or government entities.

Maddy summaryHB 312 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Highways to resurface all state highways with two- or three-digit route numbers at least once every 25 years. The bill mandates the department to create a 25-year resurfacing plan for each engineering district, prioritize overdue highways during the final year of each plan, and publish a public list by county showing the last resurfacing year for each highway. This amendment standardizes maintenance schedules and increases transparency about highway upkeep. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 310 proposes a constitutional amendment to end Pennsylvania school districts' authority to levy property taxes after June 30, 2029. It requires the state to fund school districts annually with amounts equal to their 2029 property tax revenue (minus debt service) through new state and local taxes on retail sales, income, and earned income. These new tax revenues would be deposited into a dedicated "Stabilization of Education Fund" exclusively for school support, prohibiting any future property taxes on school districts. The amendment would replace property tax reliance with a statewide funding mechanism for school district budgets.