Rep. Steve Mentzer

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 396 designates January 2026 as "School Director Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the 4,500 locally elected school directors serving the state's public school districts. The resolution formally recognizes their roles in providing educational leadership, setting standards, and managing district finances as fiscal stewards of public funds.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution officially designates December 29, 2026, as the 175th Anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in the state. The bill recognizes the YMCA's long history of providing community services, including youth programs, fitness activities, and child care, noting that Pennsylvania hosts more YMCA locations than any other state. It expresses appreciation for the organization's staff and volunteers while encouraging continued support for their efforts to foster community connection and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" to honor Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange. The bill highlights the health risks faced by these service members, including those who served on ships in offshore waters known as Blue Water Navy Veterans. By officially recognizing this month, the resolution aims to raise awareness about the long-term health effects of herbicide exposure among veterans and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Pennsylvania municipalities to update their planning and zoning laws to specifically regulate large commercial data centers, which are defined as facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more. It requires local comprehensive plans to identify suitable sites near existing infrastructure while explicitly protecting prime agricultural land and areas under conservation easements from such development. Additionally, the legislation establishes minimum standards for any data center zoning, including mandatory setbacks of 2,500 feet from residential areas and 300 feet from public roads, along with rules for noise, lighting, water usage, and site restoration. Local governments retain the authority to adopt stricter regulations but must follow these baseline requirements if they choose to permit these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Commercial Data Center Transparency Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania to publicly disclose their energy, water, and noise impacts. It specifically targets facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more, mandating that applicants reveal details in their permit applications regarding water usage, wastewater, air quality, and transportation needs. The law also obligates these facilities to report specific water consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection if they use more than 100,000 gallons per day or consume 20,000 gallons daily. To ensure compliance, the bill imposes civil penalties on entities that knowingly fail to make required disclosures or submit false information.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates September 29, 2026, as "VFW Day" to honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The measure recognizes the VFW's history, its mission to support veterans, and its significant contributions to veterans' benefits and community service. By officially naming this date, the resolution encourages Pennsylvanians to acknowledge and support the VFW and its members.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House resolution designates the week of May 17 through 23, 2026, as Public Works Week to honor the contributions of public works professionals in the state. The bill directly affects engineers, contractors, inspectors, and other workers who maintain essential community services like streets, water systems, and waste collection. By officially recognizing this time period, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the critical role these workers play in keeping communities safe and functional, especially during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 5, 2026, as "The Blessing of the Balers Day" in Pennsylvania. It commemorates a story about a farmer whose equipment was fixed after a priest prayed over it. The bill has no legal effect beyond naming the date and expressing good wishes to farmers. It is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2131 amends Pennsylvania's electric utility law to change how customers are handled when their electricity supplier contracts expire. If a customer doesn't secure a new contract with their current electricity supplier before their existing agreement ends, the supplier must automatically transfer them back to the default service provider at the provider's standard rate. This applies to residential and business customers who fail to proactively renew their electricity contracts. The bill requires utilities to submit compliance plans within 60 days to implement this automatic reconnection process, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania House Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and their families. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to increase public understanding of the disease and support ongoing research efforts. By formally recognizing the month, the resolution aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by those living with ALS and the importance of continued medical investigation.