Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act to clarify how minors can participate in student-learner and apprenticeship programs, allowing them to work in these roles as long as it complies with existing federal laws. It also permits high school graduates who have finished such programs to continue working in those occupations without additional restrictions beyond federal standards. To ensure consistency, the legislation cancels specific outdated regulations and requires the Department of Labor and Industry to develop new rules within a year or have the old rules expire in three years.

Maddy summaryHB 910 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to elevate "dealing in infant children" from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. It makes it a crime to trade, buy, sell, or deal with infants under one year old, directly targeting individuals involved in illegal infant trafficking. The bill explicitly excludes legal surrogacy and adoption from this offense. This law takes effect 60 days after enactment, focusing on criminalizing the commercial exchange of very young children.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill introduces a temporary sales tax exemption for household cleaning supplies, such as brooms, mops, vacuums, and detergents. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month window starting on July 1, 2026. The Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand the rules, and the law defines a purchaser as someone who pays by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the delivery arrives later.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution that designates June 16, 2026, as "Merit Shop Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor the construction industry. It directly affects construction contractors who operate based on free enterprise and select workers based on merit rather than union affiliation. The text highlights the sector's role in employing thousands of workers, fostering apprenticeship programs, and maintaining essential infrastructure across the state. By recognizing these contributions, the resolution aims to acknowledge the economic and community value provided by non-union construction businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 53 in Houtzdale Borough as the Cpl. Melvin Philip "Dutch" Henry Memorial Bridge to honor a local veteran. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain official signs displaying this new name for traffic traveling in both directions. The act includes background details about Cpl. Henry's life, military service, and heroic status, but its primary function is to formally rename the infrastructure rather than change any operational policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would temporarily exempt Halloween costumes, decorations, pumpkins, and related accessories from Pennsylvania sales and use tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal, non-business use during a six-month period starting when the law takes effect. The Department of Revenue would be required to publish a list of exempt items online and may provide additional guidance on what qualifies. If passed, the tax break would begin on July 1, 2026, or later if the law is enacted after that date.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates 2025 as "The Year of the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America" in Pennsylvania to honor the organization's 90-year history of service to faith, family, and country. It is a ceremonial measure expressing the state's recognition of the Catholic War Veterans' contributions, including their work with Pennsylvania's veterans community and their national service since 1935. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it is purely symbolic, with no direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt the sales and use tax on fireworks, sparklers, and grills for individual buyers. The exemption applies only during a six-month window starting July 1, 2026, and is limited to items purchased for personal, non-business use. The legislation defines specific types of fireworks, sparklers, and grills eligible for the break while requiring the Department of Revenue to provide online guidance on the rule's implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt children's books, toys, and musical instruments from sales and use tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. The legislation defines eligible items as those marketed for children aged 12 and under and clarifies that the tax break applies if payment is made within the six-month period, even if delivery occurs later. Additionally, the Department of Revenue will publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill proposes to temporarily exempt office supplies from state sales and use tax for a six-month period starting July 1, 2026. The exemption applies to individual consumers purchasing items such as paper, pens, and staplers for personal nonbusiness use, rather than for commercial operations. Under the legislation, the Department of Revenue would maintain an online list of exempt items, and the tax relief would cover purchases made during the six-month window even if delivery occurs afterward.