Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 562 over Manatawny Creek in Amity Township, Berks County (Bridge Key 56130) as the "PFC Travis C. Zimmerman Memorial Bridge." It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the bridge for public visibility. The bill honors PFC Travis C. Zimmerman, a soldier killed in action in Iraq in 2006, who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. The designation takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1354 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to allow private school students who reside in the district to participate in after-school sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities if their private school does not offer the same activity and they meet all participation requirements. The law directly affects private school students seeking access to public school programs and public school districts managing extracurricular offerings. It mandates inclusion only when the private school does not provide equivalent opportunities, without changing funding or administrative requirements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1298 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to allow certain absentee voters to apply for a ballot after the standard 15-day deadline (by 5 PM on the fifteenth day before an election) if they face unexpected circumstances like sudden illness, unforeseen work obligations, or last-minute travel plans that prevented timely application. Voters must submit a sworn declaration explaining their situation and confirming eligibility under the new provisions, under penalty of perjury. The bill does not change the existing application rules for mail-in ballots, which require applications to be received 50 days before an election and processed by the 15th day prior.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 adds new rules to Pennsylvania's Human Services Code for electronic monitoring in homes where in-home supportive care is provided under the LIFE program. It requires care recipients or their guardians to notify caregivers in writing about any video-only monitoring device before care begins, including its location and function, while prohibiting audio recording or placement in bathrooms. The bill mandates that devices be visible, timestamp recordings, and allows caregivers to consent to visual monitoring, with costs borne by the care recipient or guardian. It also prohibits denying care or retaliating against individuals who use such devices, ensuring privacy protections for care recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how certain elected civil officers in Pennsylvania can be removed. It would require that elected officials (excluding the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, state legislators, and judges) be removed only for reasonable cause after a hearing, and only upon a two-thirds vote of the Senate requesting removal. The amendment also mandates that the state legislature create uniform rules for removing municipal officers (like mayors and city council members) only for specific causes, such as absenteeism or failure to perform duties. If approved by voters, this change would affect local elected officials across Pennsylvania by standardizing removal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 210) designates the week of May 18-24, 2025, as "National Public Works Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes public works professionals - including engineers, managers, and employees - who maintain infrastructure like roads, water systems, and public buildings. The resolution urges Pennsylvanians to participate in events honoring these workers and acknowledges their role in community health, safety, and quality of life. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1316 amends Pennsylvania's sales tax filing rules to adjust deadlines based on a business's previous year's tax liability. It requires businesses with annual tax bills between $25,000 and $100,000 to file monthly returns starting in 2025, including a 50% prepayment of their expected tax for the month. Businesses with bills over $100,000 follow similar monthly filing rules with the same prepayment requirement. This change replaces quarterly filings for these businesses and adds a 5% penalty for late payments on the prepayment amount. The bill affects businesses meeting specific tax liability thresholds under Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 requires broadband grant programs under Pennsylvania's Broadband Development Authority to comply with the state's prevailing wage law. It mandates that grant materials include prevailing wage requirements and directs the Department of Labor to create new wage classifications specifically for broadband infrastructure workers, such as teledata linemen, groundmen, and cable splicers. The department must set fair wages based on federal standards and include labor market surveys to determine rates. This affects broadband project funders and contractors receiving state grants, ensuring workers on these projects earn locally established fair wages.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2025 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through a symbolic designation, highlighting the disease's impact - such as its fatal neurodegenerative nature, average 2-5 year survival after diagnosis, and lack of cure - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution aims to increase public awareness of ALS, acknowledge the challenges faced by patients and families, and honor ongoing research efforts. As a procedural resolution, it does not alter any existing policies or provide financial support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 18-24, 2025, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes the critical role of EMS providers - including paramedics, first responders, and emergency dispatchers - in delivering lifesaving care and improving patient outcomes. The resolution does not create new laws or funding; it solely serves as a formal acknowledgment of EMS professionals' contributions.