Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryHB 615 expands legal protection for individuals and organizations donating food to charities by strengthening the existing Donated Food Limited Liability Act. It directly affects food donors (like grocery stores, farms, and businesses) and food banks/receiving organizations by shielding them from liability claims if donated food causes harm - unless the donor acted with gross negligence. The key provision clarifies that donors cannot be sued for injuries related to donated food, provided they followed safety standards. This policy change aims to encourage more food donations by reducing legal risks for donors.

Maddy summaryHB 1675 would amend Pennsylvania's vehicle registration rules to allow current active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces to obtain special license plates. The bill specifically adds provisions for these military personnel to receive dedicated plates under the state's vehicle registration system. This change directly affects eligible service members who wish to display military-affiliated plates on their vehicles. The bill is procedural, focusing on administrative registration details rather than substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 553 authorizes several land transfers between Pennsylvania state agencies and local entities. It permits the Department of General Services to transfer specific lands in Harrisburg to the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority, convey an easement for Lake Winola Access in Wyoming County, and exchange parcels between Tioga County and the Commonwealth in Tioga County. The bill also facilitates a land swap involving the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, adding a parcel to Lehigh Gorge State Park. These actions directly affect state agencies, local governments, and park management, with no new policy changes beyond land ownership adjustments. The bill was enacted on June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 240 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update the qualifications required for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement. It directly affects school bus drivers and school districts by changing the specific criteria for securing this endorsement, such as background checks or training requirements. The bill revises Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify and strengthen these qualification standards. As Act No. 4 of 2025, it became law after approval by the governor on June 27, 2025. The change focuses solely on the licensing process, not operational rules for school buses.

Maddy summaryHB 1659 amends Pennsylvania's Game Statutes to update programs for young hunters and adjust wildlife protection regulations. It directly affects junior hunters (young people learning hunting skills) and wildlife management practices under the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill modifies specific provisions related to junior hunter projects and establishes new or updated rules for protecting game or wildlife. This is a procedural legislative change focused on administrative updates to hunting programs and conservation rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1661 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed health care facilities - including hospitals and clinics - to report costs incurred when providing health care to individuals classified as "illegal migrants" under the bill. This reporting obligation applies directly to facilities operating under the Act, without altering existing emergency care requirements for all patients. The bill specifies a new administrative duty for facilities to document and submit these costs but does not detail reporting frequency, format, or data usage. The legislation focuses solely on tracking these expenses, with no changes to eligibility for care.

Maddy summaryHB 1662 would create a new tax credit under Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code for families who pay for early childhood education or learning materials for their children. Eligible taxpayers could reduce their state income tax bill by the amount spent on qualifying expenses, such as preschool tuition or educational supplies. The bill specifically targets child learning investments to offset costs for early education resources. It is currently referred to the House Finance Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1660 would amend Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems. This bill directly affects all public water suppliers across the state, requiring them to cease fluoridation practices in their water treatment processes. The key provision establishes a statewide prohibition on water fluoridation, overriding current local policies that allow it. The bill is currently referred to the Local Government committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Pennsylvania school districts to consider later start times for secondary schools (high schools), citing studies showing teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but 98% of PA schools begin before 8:30 a.m. It references CDC and AAP research linking later start times to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes. The bill encourages districts to collaborate with health professionals and educators to develop schedules that maintain educational activities while adopting later start times, and asks state agencies to provide resources and public education on adolescent sleep needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require policy changes but recommends action based on existing evidence.

Maddy summaryHR 199 is a ceremonial resolution designating October 2025 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and October 17, 2025, as "National Mammography Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements on any individuals or entities; it solely serves to recognize these observances. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer prevention and early detection through mammography. As a procedural resolution, it affects no specific group or policy and has no binding effect. The bill was referred to the Health Committee but was later laid on the table (stalled) on June 23, 2025.