Rep. Joe Hamm

Maddy summaryHB 107 amends Pennsylvania's Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow licensed organizations (such as nonprofits and charities) to accept electronic payments for games of chance and conduct online raffles. The bill requires organizations to verify that online raffle buyers are physically located in Pennsylvania and at least 18 years old before accepting payment. It permits credit/debit cards and mobile payment services for raffle tickets but prohibits sales outside Pennsylvania or to minors. The legislation also removes a conflicting regulation in the Pennsylvania Code to align with these new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to distribute revenue from oil and gas leases on publicly owned streambeds to the counties where those streambeds are located. For funds collected between January 2014 and the bill's effective date (which takes effect immediately), the state will send a one-time lump-sum payment to each affected county within 60 days. For future lease payments, the revenue will be distributed annually to the respective counties. Counties must use these funds exclusively for maintaining local creeks and streams within their boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 113 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to require state agencies to analyze electricity cost impacts for certain regulations. Specifically, agencies must include in their regulatory analysis a review of how proposed rules affecting fuel, energy, or electricity might increase costs (even temporarily) and discuss negative effects on low-income residents. This applies directly to agencies drafting regulations in energy or utility sectors and affects low-income households through potential electricity rate changes. The bill adds this new requirement to the existing review process for proposed regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 110 amends Pennsylvania's 1970 law to allow minors aged 18 or older to consent independently to mental health treatment without parental permission, raising the age from 14. It also clarifies that minors aged 18+ control their mental health treatment records, while parents or legal guardians retain full access to all medical, dental, and health records for minors under 18. The bill includes provisions for minors to revoke consent for treatment and requires court review if a minor objects to continued inpatient care. These changes directly affect minors seeking mental health services and their parents, streamlining consent processes while balancing minor autonomy with parental access.

Maddy summaryHB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow parents or guardians of school-aged children to opt their child out of school-imposed face covering or mask requirements. This applies when masks are required due to health department mandates (like those under the Disease Prevention and Control Law) or school board policies. Schools must provide a simple online opt-out form without requiring an excuse and must prohibit discrimination against students who opt out, including exclusion from activities or locations. The bill directly affects parents, guardians, and schools in Pennsylvania, changing how mask mandates are implemented in educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 68, the State-Owned Vehicle Assignment Limitation Act, prohibits Pennsylvania state officials (members of the General Assembly) from being assigned or leasing state-owned vehicles for official use, effective 60 days after enactment. The bill directly affects legislators who previously received state vehicles, banning new assignments while allowing current users to retain their vehicles until they leave office or return the vehicle. Exceptions apply for emergency response duties requiring vehicle use. The law aims to restrict the use of public funds for personal vehicle assignments by lawmakers, with no new leases or assignments permitted after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 54 amends Pennsylvania's Religious Freedom Protection Act to clarify what constitutes a "substantially burden" on religious exercise and restricts when government exceptions may apply. It adds specific definitions, including that a "substantially burden" occurs when government actions significantly constrain religious conduct, curtail expression, deny fundamental religious activities, compel violations of faith, prevent physical gatherings for worship, or authorize penalties for religious practice. The bill explicitly prohibits agencies from using emergency powers under the Governor's authority (Article IV, Section 20 of the Constitution) or the Disease Prevention Law as exceptions to religious freedom protections. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents seeking to exercise their religion without government interference, particularly during emergencies. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 22 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to clarify the definition of "compensation" for personal income tax purposes. It specifically adds exclusions to what counts as taxable compensation, such as certain disability payments, retirement benefits, public assistance, foster care payments, and National Guard service income. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania taxpayers and employers who must apply these definitions when calculating income tax liability. The bill does not alter tax rates but provides clearer guidance on which income types are taxable under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Pennsylvania State Capitol grounds to honor military members who died in service and their families. The monument, designed by Woody Williams and Kenton Blackwood, will consist of four black granite slabs featuring inscriptions and scenes representing homeland, patriotism, family, and sacrifice. The MI Charitable Foundation is designated to fund and manage the construction and ongoing maintenance of the site, while the Department of General Services will assist in preparing the location and facilitating the project. The specific location is defined as the area south of the Forum Building, east of the Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Office Building, and north of Walnut Street.

Maddy summaryHB 93 requires institutions of higher education and private licensed schools in Pennsylvania to offer voluntary, free human trafficking prevention and education programs to first-year students. These programs must cover specific topics such as how traffickers profile victims, the role of online activity, and the differences between prostitution and trafficking. Schools are also required to submit an annual report to the Department of Education confirming that they have implemented these educational initiatives.