Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to provide seized individuals with specific documents within 14 days, including a copy of the relevant statute and a sample motion for returning property. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will create and publish this sample motion on its public website, though it will not be the only form courts accept. The law applies to state police, local police departments, and campus police, and it takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to prohibit the commercial use of booking photographs taken during arrests. It directly affects businesses or websites that currently sell, license, or profit from publishing these images of individuals arrested but not yet convicted. The bill creates a legal barrier by making it unlawful to publish or disseminate such photographs for commercial purposes. This change aims to prevent the exploitation of arrest imagery for profit, focusing on the specific policy shift in the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to extend the temporary program allowing students to serve as classroom monitors. It removes the June 30, 2026 expiration date for permits that let students under 18 work as monitors under teacher supervision. The change directly affects school districts and students by making the monitor program permanent rather than temporary.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 11, 2026, as "25th Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, Day" in the state. The measure formally recognizes the victims of the 2001 attacks, including civilians, military personnel, and first responders who lost their lives. It serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or funding. The resolution aims to honor the memory of those affected and reaffirm the state's commitment to remembering the events and their legacy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of June 22 through 28, 2026, as "Amateur Radio Week" in Pennsylvania to honor the contributions of licensed amateur radio operators, known as "hams." The measure highlights the community's role in providing free communications for public events and emergency services, including weather spotting and disaster response. It specifically acknowledges the upcoming "Amateur Radio Field Day" exercise, which demonstrates the group's ability to maintain independent communications during emergencies. The bill is a symbolic gesture with no changes to laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1135 prohibits the use of paraquat, a specific chemical pesticide, within Pennsylvania. It defines paraquat by its chemical identifier (CAS number 4685-14-7) and includes related salts, making it unlawful for farmers, agricultural businesses, or any pesticide users to apply it in the state. The bill amends Pennsylvania's 1973 Pesticide Control Act to add this prohibition, effective one year after enactment, and overrides any conflicting existing regulations. This directly affects pesticide users and applicators operating in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to sell a 5.2988-acre parcel of state land in Penn Township, Snyder County, to the Penn Township Municipal Authority for $63,000. The transaction requires Governor approval and includes specific conditions that the land must be used exclusively as a municipal well site, with the property reverting to the state if this purpose is violated or if the land is used for a licensed facility. The sale is subject to existing easements for utilities and roads, and any proceeds from the transaction will be deposited into the state's General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands fee exemptions in Pennsylvania for volunteers serving in fire companies or nonprofit emergency medical services agencies. Under the new provisions, these individuals would no longer pay the standard vehicle registration fee, though they would still be required to pay a $11 processing fee to cover administrative costs. The legislation also clarifies that such exemptions are limited to one passenger car or truck per volunteer, ensuring the benefit applies only to a single vehicle per person.

Maddy summaryHB 1941 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to clarify that drivers must obey authorized personnel directing traffic, such as police officers or emergency responders. This directly affects all drivers operating vehicles in Pennsylvania when encountering such personnel. The key provision specifies that drivers must comply with directions given by these authorized individuals to ensure traffic safety during emergencies or traffic control. The bill aims to strengthen existing traffic laws by making the requirement for obedience explicit and enforceable.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates the week of September 28 through October 4, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week" to highlight a rare and incurable brain disease. The measure directly affects residents of Pennsylvania who may be living with or caring for individuals diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, a condition that impacts behavior, speech, and movement. By officially recognizing this specific time period, the resolution aims to increase public understanding of the disease's symptoms and the need for better diagnosis and support. This is a commemorative action intended to draw attention to the condition rather than to enact new laws or funding.