Rep. David Rowe

Maddy summaryHB 2599 amends Pennsylvania's firearm laws to require a valid license for anyone carrying a concealed firearm on their person or inside a vehicle, with specific exceptions for those who already hold a valid license from another state or the federal government. The bill establishes that carrying a concealed firearm without a license is a third-degree felony for those with a prior criminal record, while reducing the penalty to a first-degree misdemeanor for first-time offenders. It also clarifies that individuals must present their license or proof of eligibility to law enforcement upon request and sets the law into effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 4, 2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in Pennsylvania to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Knoebels Amusement Resort, a family-owned park in Elysburg that opened on July 4, 1926. The resolution recognizes the park's history, including its origins as a picnic destination and its growth into a major attraction with over 50 rides and games. It highlights the Knoebel family's long-standing connection to the land and the park's resilience through various natural challenges, including multiple flooding events. The designation serves as a symbolic celebration of the resort's century of operation and its contribution to Pennsylvania's tourism and entertainment industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution, not a law with policy changes. It asks the Pennsylvania General Assembly to officially commemorate June 6, 2025 - the 81st anniversary of D-Day - as "D-Day" within Pennsylvania. The resolution encourages local governments and communities to hold observances honoring the historical event and its sacrifices, but it imposes no new requirements or obligations on citizens, businesses, or state agencies. It is purely commemorative, reflecting on the 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, as the Private Robert M. Pittman Memorial Bridge in honor of a local World War II veteran. The legislation officially names the structure after Private Pittman, who lost his life aboard the USS Dorchester, and directs the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs with this new name for public visibility. By changing the bridge's official title, the act serves as a commemorative measure to recognize Pittman's service and sacrifice rather than altering any traffic laws or infrastructure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 411) symbolically designates February 2026 as "Blood Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect specific groups - it is a formal recognition intended to raise public awareness about blood cancers (like leukemia and lymphoma), which impact residents across all ages and communities. The resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to educate themselves about blood cancers, support affected families, and advocate for better awareness and care. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but aims to foster community solidarity around this health issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits airports and aviation businesses in Pennsylvania from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) data to charge fees to aircraft owners or operators. ADS-B is a technology that automatically shares an aircraft's location, speed, and other flight details with ground stations and other planes. The law makes it illegal for these entities to collect money based on this surveillance information and gives the state Attorney General the power to enforce the rule. The ban applies to any fees calculated or generated from this data within the state's borders.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a temporary sales tax exemption for individuals purchasing gardening supplies in Pennsylvania. It directly affects residents buying items such as tools, seeds, plants, and flowers for personal, non-business use. The exemption applies only during a six-month window starting from the bill's effective date, which is set for July 1, 2026. Purchasers must pay for these items by cash or credit within that six-month period, even if the delivery arrives later. The Department of Revenue will be required to publish online guidance to help consumers understand how to claim this temporary exclusion.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces a new crime in Pennsylvania called disarming a law enforcement officer, which would apply to corrections officers and school security guards as well. It makes it a third-degree felony to take or try to take a firearm, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon from these officials when they are working, provided the person knows or has reason to know who they are. The law would take effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge in Cambria County as the Brown Brothers Memorial Bridge to honor five brothers who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The legislation requires the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for the bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 271. The act takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's sales and use tax law to temporarily exempt soccer cleats, gloves, balls, and related accessories from tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue must publish online guidance explaining how to apply this temporary exclusion.