Rep. Thomas Kutz

Maddy summaryHB 1105 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to undergo regular zero-based budget reviews, mandating that every program be justified from scratch at least once every five years. Starting in 2026, the Secretary of the Budget must review approximately one-fifth of the state budget annually, with agencies required to submit detailed plans explaining each program's legal basis, estimated impacts if discontinued, and itemized costs for maintaining services at both minimum and current levels. This directly affects all state agencies and the Budget Secretary, shifting budget decisions away from incremental adjustments to past spending. The bill aims to eliminate outdated programs by requiring agencies to prove the necessity and cost-effectiveness of each activity through specific documentation, not just historical spending patterns. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 establishes a program to refund a portion of Pennsylvania's state budget surplus directly to eligible taxpayers. It requires the State Treasurer and Department of Revenue to identify resident individuals who filed 2024 tax returns and paid their liabilities, then calculate payments based on the General Fund surplus (capped at the June 2024 surplus amount) and the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (capped at the fund balance minus 6% of 2024-2025 General Fund revenues). The bill specifies that payments must be made within 45 days of a funding appropriation, with any unused funds returned to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund. This program directly affects Pennsylvania residents who filed 2024 individual income tax returns and paid their tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 requires Pennsylvania voter registration applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when applying to register. This applies to all registration methods - online, in-person, by mail, or with a driver's license application. Acceptable proof includes passports, birth certificates, military IDs, naturalization documents, or other government-issued IDs showing U.S. birthplace. The bill mandates that election officials verify citizenship during registration and adds penalties for officials who fail to comply. It directly affects anyone seeking to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryHB 569 amends Pennsylvania's Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to expand eligibility for death benefits. It explicitly includes coroners (and medical examiners) as covered personnel and adds a presumption that fatal heart attacks or strokes occurring during duty or within 24 hours of physical training/emergency response are work-related. This change directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of coroners, firefighters, ambulance/rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, and National Guard members who die in the line of duty. The bill updates the act's definition of "coroner" and ensures benefits are granted for these new circumstances.

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 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 759 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to update the definition of acceptable identification for voting. The bill specifies that voters must present one of several forms of ID, including a standard driver's license, a photo-less driver's license for religious objections, or alternative documents like state IDs, military IDs, or documents from Pennsylvania institutions (e.g., schools or care facilities). For mail-in or absentee voters without a driver's license, it allows using the last four digits of a Social Security number or other qualifying documents. These changes apply to all voters in Pennsylvania when casting ballots in person or by mail, clarifying existing ID requirements without eliminating the need for identification.

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 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 summaryHB 720, or "Simon's Law," amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to require written parental consent for do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for minors. It prohibits healthcare facilities or providers from implementing DNR orders or restricting life-sustaining measures without written permission from at least one parent or legal guardian. The bill mandates detailed documentation of consent (including names, relationships, and dates) and allows parents to revoke consent in writing, which overrides prior agreements. It also requires facilities to make good-faith efforts to contact parents within 48 hours and prohibits interfering with parents seeking second opinions or transferring care to another facility. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers treating minors in Pennsylvania.