Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryHB 1005 would repeal Pennsylvania's Use and Storage Tax Act of 1953, which imposed a tax on the use and storage of physical goods (like furniture, electronics, or vehicles) within the state. This law required businesses selling such goods to register, collect the tax from customers, and remit it to the state, with the revenue funding public schools. The bill would eliminate this tax obligation for businesses and remove the administrative requirements for collecting and reporting the tax. The repeal directly affects businesses that previously collected this tax and the public school funding mechanism tied to it.

Maddy summaryHB 984 requires write-in candidates for state, county, or local office in Pennsylvania to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of the election board certifying them as the winner, unless they decline the nomination within that period. If a candidate fails to file within the 30-day window, they are barred from appearing on the ballot. The statement must be submitted to the appropriate authority: the state election commission for state offices or the local governing body for county and local offices. This amendment extends Pennsylvania’s existing financial disclosure requirements to cover write-in candidates, who were previously not subject to this timeline.

Maddy summaryHB 962 allows eligible organizations, such as charities and non-profits, to conduct virtual raffles and drawings using electronic payments like credit cards or mobile apps. The bill requires organizations to verify that participants are physically in Pennsylvania, are at least 18 years old, and provide accurate identity information through methods like government ID checks. It also restricts how winners are announced - only simple internet-based conferencing (e.g., Zoom) without animations, images, or slot machine technology can be used. These rules aim to modernize virtual game operations while ensuring compliance with state and federal gambling laws.

Maddy summaryHB 978 updates Pennsylvania's Election Code with technical procedural changes. It modifies requirements for election officers to be sworn in (Section 406), updates candidate affidavit rules (Section 630.1), and clarifies nomination petition rules (Section 909), including how petitions may be formatted and circulated. The bill also replaces all references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge" throughout the code. These changes affect election officials, candidates, and voters by standardizing administrative procedures in election administration.

Maddy summaryHB 438 amends Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to allow taxpayers to remove a deceased spouse's name from real estate tax bills. It directly affects homeowners who are now required to submit a written request and a death certificate to both their tax collector and county assessment office. The key provision, added as Section 6.1, creates a formal process for this removal without requiring court action. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 19, 2025, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania. It honors THON for raising over $17 million during its 2025 event to support the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, which provides financial and emotional aid for pediatric cancer patients and funds cancer research. The resolution recognizes THON's role as the world's largest student-run philanthropy event, which has raised over $200 million since 1977 for childhood cancer care.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 25406 on Pennsylvania Route 346 over Willow Creek in Corydon Township, McKean County, as the "Private First Class Bruce A. Cobb Memorial Bridge." It requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the bridge, honoring Cobb's military service and burial location in the area. The bill directly affects the bridge's official identification and signage for public traffic. (Procedural bill; summary focuses on the concrete naming action and sign requirement.)

Maddy summaryHB 954 amends Pennsylvania's 2008 Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act to adjust penalties for violations. It increases fines for drivers or owners of heavy diesel vehicles (over 10,001 pounds gross weight) engaged in commerce, or operators of locations where such vehicles load, unload, or park, who violate idling restrictions. The bill sets a fine range of $150 to $300 per offense, plus court costs. This directly affects commercial truck drivers, delivery fleets, and businesses operating large diesel vehicles. The change modifies existing penalty levels without altering the idling ban itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bridge Key 22726 on Pennsylvania Route 934 over Swatara Creek in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, as the WO1 John Stephen Chrin Memorial Bridge. It honors Warrant Officer 1 John Stephen Chrin, a Vietnam War DUSTOFF helicopter pilot killed in action on October 13, 1971, after completing over 125 combat medical evacuation missions. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage identifying the bridge with this memorial name. The designation applies solely to this specific bridge structure and has no policy or funding implications.

Maddy summaryHB 959 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to require the state to pay interest on overpaid personal income taxes. It specifies that interest on refunds will accrue at the same rate used by the U.S. Treasury for federal taxes, starting from the date the overpayment was received. Taxpayers who overpay their state income tax - such as those who paid too much through estimated installments or filed early returns - will now receive interest on the excess amount. The bill also clarifies that no interest applies if a refund is issued within 60 days of the tax return deadline.