Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryHR 166 is a symbolic resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to maintain support for Taiwan and formally recognizes the existing friendship between Pennsylvania and Taiwan. It does not create new laws or alter policies but expresses legislative support through a formal statement. The resolution was adopted by the Pennsylvania legislature on June 3, 2025, after committee review. It directly affects Pennsylvania's official stance on U.S.-Taiwan relations but has no binding effect on federal legislation or international policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2025 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the month to promote public awareness about Parkinson's disease. The resolution directly affects Pennsylvania residents by encouraging community and organizational efforts to highlight the disease during that month. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding requirements or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1546 designates a specific stretch of Pennsylvania Route 164 (Cove Mountain Road) in Blair County as the "Representative Jerry A. Stern Memorial Highway." The bill honors Jerry A. Stern, a former Pennsylvania House representative who served the 80th District from 1992 to 2015 and passed away in December 2024. It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain directional signs naming the highway segment, which runs from Frederick Road in Taylor Township to Agway Road in North Woodbury Township. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1536 modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new certification flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) administrators. It allows educators with a superintendent's letter of eligibility to become CTE directors if they have at least three years of relevant experience in CTE schools or districts and complete approved graduate-level training in CTE administration. The bill specifically prohibits the Department of Education from requiring a minimum time or percentage of duties dedicated to CTE supervision. This directly affects school districts seeking to hire CTE directors who may not hold traditional administrative certifications, streamlining their path to leadership roles in CTE programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish criminal liability for internet publishers and distributors who knowingly make material harmful to minors available online. The bill targets content such as explicit sexual material deemed harmful to minors, creating a legal framework for prosecution without requiring proof of intent to harm minors. It directly affects online platforms, website operators, and content distributors that host or share such material. The bill is currently pending in the Communications & Technology committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 1514 creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who earn tips, allowing them to get back the income tax paid on those tips. The credit equals 100% of the tax paid on "tipped wages" (wages received as voluntary customer tips, not set by employers) and is fully refundable, meaning it can reduce tax bills or generate refunds even if no tax was owed. Taxpayers must claim the credit using their employer's statement of tipped wages (required under 34 Pa. Code § 231.36) when filing their annual tax return on the standard PA 40 form. This change applies to tax returns for years starting after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 239 is a commemorative resolution designating May 9, 2025, as "Fire Police Day" in Pennsylvania. It honors fire police officers for their service in protecting residents' safety and well-being. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the contributions of fire police officers statewide. The bill was referred to the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws under Title 23. It clarifies definitions, establishes clearer rules for awarding primary physical custody, and requires courts to consider criminal convictions when making custody decisions. The bill also mandates parenting plans and specifies factors judges must evaluate, directly affecting parents, judges, and child welfare agencies involved in custody cases. The legislation was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1495 repeals Pennsylvania’s 1921 law imposing a tax on anthracite coal (P.L.479, No.225). This 104-year-old statute, which set declining tax rates (1.5% to 0.5%) and required annual reporting for coal mined or processed in the state, expired in 1931 and has not been enforced since. The bill formally removes this obsolete law from the state’s statutes, as it no longer affects any current tax obligations or regulations. No entities or individuals are directly impacted by this repeal, as the original tax was already inactive for over nine decades.

Maddy summaryHB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.