Rep. Joe Hamm

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania vehicle laws to exempt specific agricultural equipment from registration and licensing requirements. It allows individuals to drive farm implements, trailers, or semitrailers up to 25 miles to a school-hosted agricultural event without needing a driver's license, provided the vehicle is no wider than 11 feet and the trip occurs between sunrise and sunset. The measure directly affects farmers and students participating in annual agriculture-related educational events, simplifying the process for transporting equipment to these gatherings.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2024 as "Life Month" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. It calls on churches, businesses, and communities across the state to celebrate this date and reflect on the protection of unborn children. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic commemoration of the shift in legal status regarding abortion rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania municipalities to use brine from oil and gas wells on local roads to reduce dust and stabilize surfaces. It permits towns to hire others to spread the brine if the municipality gives specific instructions for doing so. The law also states that no state agency can require extra approval for this use and sets a safety rule that brine cannot be applied within 150 feet of any body of water.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to establish payment rules for nontransport emergency medical services provided to eligible individuals who do not require or refuse transport. Starting July 1, 2024, licensed emergency medical services agencies will be reimbursed for these specific services at rates equal to the higher of the 2023 Medicare ambulance fee schedule or current Medicaid ambulance fees. The change directly affects how public assistance programs compensate providers for emergency care rendered without actual transportation.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution urges federal leaders to address improper payments of Critical Skill Incentives at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It highlights that the Office of Inspector General found nearly $11 million was incorrectly used to give bonuses to over 180 senior executives instead of supporting employees with high-demand skills. The document calls for swift corrective action to recover these funds and improve oversight to prevent future misuse of taxpayer money.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's laws on negligence to allow injured parties to recover damages even if they share some fault with the person who caused the injury, provided their fault is not greater than the defendant's. It requires courts to split the total damage award among all responsible parties based on their specific percentage of fault, rather than holding one defendant fully liable for the entire cost. However, the law still makes the defendant fully responsible for the total damages in specific situations, such as cases involving intentional harm, hazardous substance releases, or when the defendant is found to be at least 60% at fault. Additionally, the bill allows courts to consider the fault of people who are not currently part of the lawsuit, such as those who have already settled or are immune from suit, when calculating how much each defendant must pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's County Code to update the list of purchases that county commissioners can make without requiring public advertising or competitive bidding. Specifically, it clarifies that the purchase of milk by second-class A counties falls under this exemption, allowing these entities to acquire milk directly without a formal bidding process. The change applies only to second-class A counties and does not alter the procedures for other county classes or types of purchases. The legislation is set to take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill amends the state's Tax Reform Code to update how corporations can deduct net losses against their taxable income. It establishes new rules that increase the maximum amount of net loss a company can use to reduce its tax bill in any given year, with the limit rising over time until it reaches 100% of taxable income for years starting after December 31, 2024. The legislation also clarifies how long past losses can be carried forward to offset future profits, extending the carryover period for losses generated after 1997 to 20 years. These changes directly affect corporations filing state income tax returns by allowing them to lower their current tax liability more aggressively when they have incurred losses.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's tax laws by adjusting personal income tax rates and eliminating a specific tax on the gross receipts from the sale of electric energy. It requires electric utilities to pass the savings from these tax changes directly to consumers through reductions in state tax surcharges, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for companies that fail to do so. Additionally, the legislation mandates that $6 million annually be transferred to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund starting in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill also establishes a revenue-neutral reconciliation rule that will remain in effect until the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of all permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection. The review will examine the department's legal authority, track permit wait times and application methods, and compare state practices to identify areas for improvement. The committee must submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the chairs of the relevant environmental committees within one year. This action is intended to assess the efficiency and clarity of the permitting process without changing any existing laws.