Rep. Mike Jones

Maddy summaryHB 1691 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to adjust the earnings requirement for workers seeking benefits after certain job separations. It increases the required earnings from six to fifteen times the weekly benefit rate in the 10 weeks following a disqualifying separation (e.g., quitting for personal reasons or being terminated). The bill also adds a provision exempting workers who took a leave of absence and made reasonable efforts to return to work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who left jobs under disqualifying circumstances but meet the new earnings threshold. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 240 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to update the qualifications required for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement. It directly affects school bus drivers and school districts by changing the specific criteria for securing this endorsement, such as background checks or training requirements. The bill revises Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to clarify and strengthen these qualification standards. As Act No. 4 of 2025, it became law after approval by the governor on June 27, 2025. The change focuses solely on the licensing process, not operational rules for school buses.

Maddy summaryHB 1661 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require licensed health care facilities - including hospitals and clinics - to report costs incurred when providing health care to individuals classified as "illegal migrants" under the bill. This reporting obligation applies directly to facilities operating under the Act, without altering existing emergency care requirements for all patients. The bill specifies a new administrative duty for facilities to document and submit these costs but does not detail reporting frequency, format, or data usage. The legislation focuses solely on tracking these expenses, with no changes to eligibility for care.

Maddy summaryHB 1649 eliminates school district property taxes on residential and commercial properties in Pennsylvania. It replaces these taxes with two new revenue sources: a 2% increase to county-level sales, use, and occupancy taxes (with some exclusions like clothing and candy removed), and a local income tax of up to 1.88% on resident taxpayers' earned income and retirement benefits (excluding Social Security). The bill establishes two funds - the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund (to distribute sales tax revenue to school districts) and the School District Emergency Fund - and requires landlords to reduce rents for tenants by the amount of eliminated property taxes. This directly affects property owners, school districts, and landlords/tenants, shifting funding responsibility from property taxes to broader consumption and income-based taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 1595 removes Pennsylvania's state-specific regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions (25 Pa. Code Ch. 126 Subch. E) and replaces them with federal standards. It directly affects heavy-duty diesel vehicle owners, operators, and manufacturers in Pennsylvania who previously had to comply with the state's emissions control program. The bill's key mechanism is the immediate abrogation of Pennsylvania's program, making federal emissions standards the only applicable requirement for these vehicles in the state. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 463 prohibits "speculative ticketing," which involves buying event tickets to resell them at significantly higher prices before the event occurs. It directly affects consumers who face inflated prices and ticket sellers engaging in this practice. The bill amends the Unfair Trade Practices Law to ban buying or selling tickets for profit based on anticipated demand, not actual ownership. The bill passed the House on June 4, 2025, and is now pending review by the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 would require Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide affordable communication services, such as phone calls or video visits, for inmates. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by improving access to regular contact. The key provision mandates that all correctional institutions must offer these services at reasonable rates, aiming to support family connections during incarceration. The bill is currently under review by the Communications & Technology committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 updates Pennsylvania's child custody laws under Title 23. It clarifies definitions, establishes clearer rules for awarding primary physical custody, and requires courts to consider criminal convictions when making custody decisions. The bill also mandates parenting plans and specifies factors judges must evaluate, directly affecting parents, judges, and child welfare agencies involved in custody cases. The legislation was recently referred to the Judiciary Committee on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1483 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to clarify employment rules for minors in alcohol distribution. It prohibits distributors and importing distributors from employing anyone under 18, with specific provisions: 16- to 17-year-olds may work on licensed premises but cannot sell malt or brewed beverages, while 18-year-olds and older may sell and deliver these products. The bill directly affects alcohol distributors, importers, and their hiring practices under the Liquor Code. This change updates Section 493(27) of the Liquor Code, overriding prior provisions in the Child Labor Act regarding minor employment in alcohol sales. The amendment takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1468 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to adjust sales practices for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, primarily affecting businesses and entities that purchase alcoholic beverages at wholesale prices. The bill increases the wholesale discount for licensees, such as hotels, restaurants, and clubs, from 10% to 15% off the retail price. It also expands wholesale offerings to include ready-to-drink cocktails for distributors and importing distributors holding the necessary permits. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a program to provide further discounts to wholesale licensees who pick up their purchases at designated locations.