Rep. Rob Kauffman

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to update the required contents of local subdivision and land development ordinances. Specifically, it allows municipalities to permit new residential homes that replace demolished one- or two-family dwellings to follow the setback rules of the original structure if the new building is substantially similar in use and design. The change applies to cities, boroughs, towns, and townships across the state and requires local governments to provide these specific setback standards to building permit applicants. The legislation becomes effective 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to create a permanent funding account for the Department of Human Services, specifically targeting support for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The new account will be funded by the net proceeds from the sale of former state centers for these individuals, as well as annual transfers from the General Fund based on budget cuts or estimated operational costs of closed facilities. These funds are designated to provide home and community-based supports, including housing assistance, for people on the emergency waiting list as of the start of each fiscal year. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that money in the account does not lapse and remains available for these specific services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to allow residents to use a specific federal tax rule regarding partnership property for state income tax purposes. By adding a new subsection to the tax code, the legislation enables taxpayers to elect an optional adjustment to the basis of partnership assets, aligning state calculations with federal provisions found in 26 U.S.C. § 754. The changes will apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2024, while the act itself takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill restricts public universities from requiring students or employees to take ideological oaths or provide statements about their race, ethnicity, or views on diversity and social justice. It also bans institutions from creating diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or hiring staff dedicated to those roles. Additionally, the law prohibits mandatory training on these topics and requires universities to include specific language in their mission statements and handbooks regarding academic freedom. Institutions that violate these rules regarding diversity could face the revocation of tenure for affected faculty members.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to create a public website for reporting election results. The site must display data for each race showing how many precincts have reported their votes and how many remain unreported, with this information available from the election day until all results are certified. The change directly affects the Secretary of the Commonwealth's duties and provides voters with real-time visibility into election progress. The law is set to take effect 60 days after being signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new crime in Pennsylvania that makes it illegal to use social media platforms to commit, encourage, or help others commit a felony. It defines social media sites as online spaces where users primarily post their own content, while excluding traditional news websites and email services. If someone is convicted of using these platforms to facilitate a felony, they could face a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both. The law treats each separate instance of using social media for this purpose as a distinct crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a curfew law for minors under 18 in Pennsylvania municipalities, making it a summary offense for them to remain in public places during designated curfew hours. The legislation allows minors to avoid penalties if they are accompanied by an adult, traveling by motor vehicle or public transit, going to or from work without detours, responding to an emergency, or attending or returning from school, religious, or recreational activities. Local governments will have the authority to set specific curfew times and enforce these rules within their jurisdictions. The law defines "minor" as anyone under 18 and "adult" as anyone 18 or older, and it will become effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called looting in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting theft that occurs during or right after natural disasters, lawful protests, or civil disobedience demonstrations. It defines looting as committing burglary, retail theft, or organized retail theft during these specific events and classifies the offense as a second-degree felony. The legislation includes a detailed list of what counts as a natural disaster, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes. If passed, the law will take effect 60 days after it is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Local Tax Collection Law to improve how local governments notify taxpayers about their property and personal taxes. It requires tax collectors to send detailed notices to every taxpayer within a specific timeframe, ensuring the letter includes the tax rate, property details, total amount owed, payment instructions, and deadlines for penalties or abatements. The legislation also mandates that these notices be sent to the taxpayer's last known address and prohibits listing an individual's name as the payee, instead directing payments to the municipal tax collector's office. Additionally, the bill authorizes municipalities with home rule charters to set their own notice dates and instructs the Department of Community and Economic Development to create a standard form for these notices.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Social Media Anti-Censorship Act, requires large social media platforms with over 50 million U.S. users to create clear rules for content moderation and provide users with ways to challenge content removals. It mandates that platforms publish their acceptable use policies in accessible locations and immediately notify users when their posts are taken down, along with offering an appeal process that must be resolved within 14 days. Additionally, the law requires these platforms to release biannual transparency reports detailing how many times they removed or restricted content, who reported the violations, and how many appeals were successful. The act specifically protects journalists and public officials by requiring platforms to track and report instances where their content was targeted for removal.