Rep. Perry Stambaugh

Maddy summaryHB 1598 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to clarify and strengthen oversight of agency rules. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private sector, requiring agencies to include detailed cost estimates in regulatory proposals. The bill mandates agencies submit these cost analyses (prepared by the Independent Fiscal Office) with all new rules and adds a 14-day review window for committees if they object to economically significant regulations. This ensures greater transparency and legislative input before major rules take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1546 designates a specific stretch of Pennsylvania Route 164 (Cove Mountain Road) in Blair County as the "Representative Jerry A. Stern Memorial Highway." The bill honors Jerry A. Stern, a former Pennsylvania House representative who served the 80th District from 1992 to 2015 and passed away in December 2024. It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain directional signs naming the highway segment, which runs from Frederick Road in Taylor Township to Agway Road in North Woodbury Township. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1444 creates new regulations for association health plans (AHPs) under Pennsylvania's insurance code. It defines key terms like "association" (groups of employers in the same industry or profession) and sets requirements for coverage, rates, and insurer filings. The bill directly affects employers forming AHPs, health insurers offering these plans, and individuals enrolled in them. It adds enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance, while repealing outdated sections of the insurance code.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 summaryHB 1273 repeals Pennsylvania's requirement that taxpayers make payments of $15,000 or more electronically for personal income tax, along with related penalties for non-compliance. It replaces these rules by adding a new provision requiring the Department of Revenue to accept all payment methods without penalties for taxpayers. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses paying Pennsylvania personal income tax, removing a specific electronic payment mandate and associated fines. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, making all payment methods equally acceptable without penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 amends Pennsylvania's electric utility laws to restructure the industry by defining key terms and setting new requirements for electric distribution companies. It introduces "long-term resource adequacy agreements" (where companies invest in new generation resources like natural gas, nuclear, battery storage, or renewable energy in exchange for customer surcharges) and mandates that utilities procure power through a "prudent mix" of spot market purchases, short-term contracts, and long-term contracts (up to 30 years) designed to ensure reliable service at reasonable cost. The bill directly affects electric distribution companies, which must now follow these procurement rules, and Pennsylvania customers, who may see costs reflected in nonbypassable surcharges. The law requires the state commission to evaluate utility plans based on achieving "reasonable cost" generation supply while maintaining reliability, with specific findings needed for approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1199 requires all bills and joint resolutions introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include a preamble clearly stating the original purpose of the legislation. This procedural change directly affects legislators, staff, and drafters who prepare new bills. The key provision mandates that every introduced bill must contain this concise purpose statement in its preamble, aiming to increase transparency about legislative intent. The bill is procedural in nature and does not address substantive policy issues.

Maddy summaryHB 1208 amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow construction sites disturbing 1 to 5 acres of land to apply for a waiver from the standard stormwater discharge permit requirement. This waiver follows a specific federal regulation (40 CFR 122.26(b)(15)(i)) that governs stormwater permits for smaller projects. The bill directly affects smaller construction developments by offering a streamlined permitting path instead of the usual process. It does not change pollution control standards but simplifies compliance for sites within this size range.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law to allow dairy permit holders to sell raw milk and dairy products containing raw milk. It directly affects licensed dairy producers by removing a prior restriction under 7 Pa. Code § 59a.402(b), which had limited such sales. The bill adds a new provision requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to permit these sales, effective 60 days after enactment. This change specifically updates regulatory handling of raw milk products under existing dairy permits.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 184) directs Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the state's trespassing laws and how they are enforced. The study aims to identify ways to better deter trespassing on private property. It does not change existing laws but requires the committee to report findings to several legislative committees, including Judiciary and Game and Fisheries committees. The resolution is procedural and affects only the committees conducting the study, not the public or property owners.