Rep. Rob Kauffman

Maddy summaryHB 650 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation to maintain at least five physical locations statewide where auto dealers can obtain vehicle registration plates and safety/emissions inspection stickers. Each location must be open for dealers at least two days per week for a minimum of three hours daily, with locations spread across different regions and one specifically in a city of the third class (population 48,000-55,000). The bill directly affects auto dealers who rely on these services for vehicle transactions and compliance, ensuring more accessible in-person access to registration and inspection services.

Maddy summaryHB 165 amends Pennsylvania's abortion law to require pain relief medication for fetuses over 15 weeks' gestation during abortion procedures, directly affecting abortion providers performing such procedures. The bill adds a new provision (Section 3204(b.1)) stating that pain relief medication must be administered prior to the procedure unless the physician knows the pregnant person has an adverse reaction to it or a medical emergency prevents timely administration. This change applies specifically to abortions at or beyond 15 weeks' gestation. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment. It focuses on procedural requirements for medical care during abortion, not on restricting access.

Maddy summaryHR 77 is a procedural resolution directing Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study transitioning the General Assembly to part-time status. The committee must review other states' legislative models (including session length, costs, and representation), Pennsylvania's legislative history, and constitutional amendment processes. The study will analyze potential cost savings and other impacts, with a report due within 18 months. This resolution does not change current law but prepares the legislature for future consideration of part-time status.

Maddy summaryHB 566 proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce the term length for judges (including those in Philadelphia's municipal court) and justices of the peace in Pennsylvania from ten years to six years. If approved, this change would affect current and future judicial officers by requiring more frequent re-elections for these positions. The amendment must first pass both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, then be ratified by voters in the next general election to become part of the state constitution. This is a procedural change to judicial tenure, not a direct law affecting other groups.

Maddy summaryHB 598 amends Pennsylvania's definition of "truck stop establishment" in Title 4 (Amusements) by removing a requirement that truck stops sell an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel monthly. The new definition now requires truck stops to have diesel fueling islands, at least 20 dedicated parking spaces for commercial vehicles, a convenience store, a minimum of three acres of land (not owned by the Pennsylvania Turnpike), and to be situated on property meeting these criteria. This change directly affects existing truck stops that previously qualified under the old diesel sales threshold but lack the new physical or operational requirements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 599 would create a new crime called "masked intimidation" in Pennsylvania, making it illegal for someone to wear a facial covering while intentionally threatening or intimidating another person or group with the goal of causing them to fear for their physical safety. The offense would be punishable as a misdemeanor of the third degree, but the law includes specific exceptions for common uses of facial coverings, such as religious attire, safety gear during weather or sports, holiday costumes, or preventing illness spread. The bill also explicitly states it does not infringe on First Amendment rights and defines key terms like "facial covering" and "intimidate" to clarify the law's scope.

Maddy summaryHB 581, titled the Parental Rights in Education Act, prohibits public schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It requires schools to notify parents in writing before providing health care services (like mental health support) or administering well-being questionnaires/surveys to K-5 students, including an option for parents to withhold consent. Schools must also allow parents access to their child's education and health records and cannot retaliate against students who report violations. The bill creates a legal right for students or parents to sue schools for noncompliance within 180 days of a violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing Pennsylvania's fiscal calendar from annual to biennial (two-year) cycles by amending the state constitution. It requires the Governor to submit a two-year operating budget and capital budget instead of annual versions, and mandates a five-year financial plan covering two-year periods. Key provisions include updating debt limits and repayment rules to align with the new two-year fiscal periods, such as modifying how surplus funds are appropriated and how tax anticipation notes mature. The change directly affects state budgeting processes, the Governor's budget submissions, and the General Assembly's appropriations decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 582 amends Pennsylvania's 1971 Tax Reform Code to exclude the sale of firearms and ammunition from state sales and use tax. It directly affects firearm retailers and buyers, as these items will no longer be subject to tax when purchased at retail. The bill adds a specific exclusion (section 204(77)) defining "firearm" as a weapon designed to expel projectiles via explosives and "ammunition" as bullets or shells for such weapons. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 606 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to integrate "early human life development education" into biology courses starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This mandates including specific ultrasound videos showing fetal development at 8, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, and 37 weeks' gestation, plus a computer-generated animation of fertilization and prenatal development stages. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charters, cyber charters) and directly affects all K-12 students in Pennsylvania. It amends the 1949 Public School Code to standardize this curriculum component within existing biology requirements.