Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryHB 767 would allow Pennsylvania vehicle owners to obtain a special license plate featuring the Gadsden flag (a yellow flag with a coiled rattlesnake and the phrase "Don't Tread On Me") for an additional $26 fee on top of regular registration. The plate would be available for passenger cars, light trucks under 14,000 pounds, and motorcycles. This is a procedural change adding a new plate option, not a substantive policy shift affecting vehicle regulations or safety.

Maddy summaryHB 766 designates a specific segment of State Route 3037 in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County - from Waltz Mill Flats Road to Segment 0170/Offset 0950 - as the "PFC Earl 'Butch' Long Memorial Highway." This procedural bill honors PFC Earl "Butch" Long, a Vietnam War infantryman killed in action in 1967, by naming the highway in his memory. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install and maintain signs displaying the highway's new name. The bill does not create new policy or affect any regulations; it solely commemorates the veteran's service and sacrifice.

Maddy summaryHB 756 requires Pennsylvania prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they learn during a criminal case that a defendant is not a U.S. citizen or is present in the U.S. illegally under federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. Ch. 12). This affects criminal defendants with non-citizen status or potential immigration violations. The bill mandates that Commonwealth attorneys provide this notification "at any point during the course of a criminal proceeding" when they reasonably obtain such information.

Maddy summaryHB 762 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to exempt volunteer emergency service organizations from paying state sales and use tax on protective equipment. The bill specifically covers volunteer EMS companies, fire companies, and rescue companies - defined as nonprofit groups providing emergency medical, fire, or rescue services. It excludes purchases like helmets, turnout gear, boots, gloves, and respiratory protection units from taxation when bought for members performing their duties. This tax exemption will apply to sales occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 761 directs Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove specific counties from the enhanced vehicle emission inspection program within 60 days. These counties are defined by exact population ranges (e.g., third-class counties with 215,000-216,000 residents). The DEP must demonstrate these counties can maintain air quality standards without the inspection program and submit revised plans to the EPA by January 1, 2026. The bill affects only the listed counties and requires coordination with federal air quality requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 745 amends Pennsylvania's hunting and trapping license rules to allow nonresidents who own property in the state to qualify for resident license rates. The bill defines a nonresident as a "resident" for licensing purposes if they paid Pennsylvania property taxes during the current or prior licensing season and can prove this payment to the state commission. This change directly affects nonresident property owners who currently pay higher nonresident fees to hunt or trap in Pennsylvania. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment, updating eligibility under Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 760 amends Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax rates under the 1971 Tax Reform Code, directly affecting corporations operating in the state. The bill reduces the annual corporate tax rate from 7.99% for 2025-2025 to 5.99% for 2026-2026, and further lowers it to 4% starting in 2027 and beyond. Key provisions include a phased reduction schedule with specific rates for each taxable year period, replacing prior rate structures. The changes take immediate effect upon enactment, altering the tax burden for corporations filing under Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax system.

Maddy summaryHB 791 adds a religious exemption to Pennsylvania's firefighter certification requirements. It allows individuals whose religion prohibits shaving or trimming beards to receive an exemption from beard-related training standards, provided they pass a fit test for self-contained breathing apparatus masks. The exemption applies only to certification standards under existing rules and requires meeting the State Fire Commissioner's mask seal standards. This directly affects individuals seeking firefighter certification who have religious objections to beard removal. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 770 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to notify enrolled students at least 45 days before a tuition increase. The notice must include the prior year's tuition amount, current tuition, and the dollar and percentage increase, and must be sent both electronically and by mail. This amendment to the Public School Code of 1949 aims to improve transparency in higher education pricing for students. It directly affects all higher education institutions in Pennsylvania that raise tuition from the previous academic year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's definition of "exotic wildlife" in wildlife permit rules. It specifically adds nonhuman primates and expands the list of protected big cats, bears, wolves, and coyotes to include scientific species names (like *Panthera leo* for lions). The definition also explicitly excludes common native species (such as deer, moose, and rabbits), domestic animals, and birds from the "exotic" category. These changes clarify which animals require special permits under existing wildlife regulations, directly affecting wildlife permit applicants and regulators.