Rep. Dave Zimmerman

Maddy summaryHB 2139 defines "cell-cultured protein" (lab-grown meat made from animal cells grown outside the animal) and prohibits its manufacturing, sale, delivery, holding for sale, or offering for sale in Pennsylvania. The bill directly affects companies developing or selling lab-grown meat products within the state. Key provisions establish a legal definition for this emerging food technology and ban all commercial transactions involving it. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, creating a clear regulatory restriction on this specific food product type.

Maddy summaryThis bill narrows who can legally kill wildlife to protect farm property in Pennsylvania. It restricts the definition of "person" to only: (1) owners/lessees of farms under the state's Right-to-Farm Law, (2) their immediate family living on the farm, (3) household members residing there, or (4) employees regularly working the farm. Previously, broader categories like general land cultivators were included, but this amendment limits the exception strictly to active agricultural operations. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 amends Pennsylvania laws related to sentencing, driver licensing, and traffic offenses. It requires notice to drivers when their Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for a traffic offense is accepted, and updates penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), including stricter grading for repeat offenses and enhanced penalties for homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. The bill also revises procedures for licensing when a driver's privilege is suspended or revoked. These changes directly affect drivers facing traffic-related charges, courts processing these cases, and prosecutors seeking appropriate penalties. The bill is currently under review in the Transportation committee.

Maddy summaryHB 170 modifies Pennsylvania's vehicle registration and inspection rules for farm vehicles. It creates three new weight-based categories (AA, BB, CC) for exempt farm vehicles, each with specific travel limits: Type AA (under 10,000 lbs) may travel up to 50 miles, Type BB (10,001-17,000 lbs) up to 25 miles, and Type CC (over 17,000 lbs) up to 10 miles between farms or related business locations. The bill also establishes corresponding biennial fees ($24-$100) based on vehicle weight and requires a valid inspection certificate for operation. This directly affects farmers using vehicles over 17,000 lbs, who must now display inspections but face fewer travel restrictions than non-exempt vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 establishes Pennsylvania's Infectious Disease Advisory Commission to coordinate long-term responses to public health emergencies like pandemics. The bill requires the Governor to select a statewide organization via competitive bidding to manage a PPE stockpile, including sourcing from in-state manufacturers and maintaining four designated storage locations. It directly affects healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes, assisted living centers, and personal care homes) by mandating infectious disease plans and requiring facilities to designate coordinators for outbreak response. Key provisions include creating the Commission, defining emergency protocols, and ensuring PPE availability during health crises. The law focuses on systemic preparedness rather than specific pandemic responses.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill removes the Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations from further consideration of House Resolution 278. It allows House Resolution 278 to move directly to the full House for debate and voting under Rule 53, bypassing the committee review process. The bill itself does not change policy but alters the legislative path for another resolution.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 372) symbolically recognizes December 2, 2025, as "World Nuclear Energy Day" in Pennsylvania. It highlights Pennsylvania's significant role in nuclear energy, noting the state produces 30% of its electricity from nuclear sources, supports 15,900 in-state jobs, and prevents over 37 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. The resolution cites historical milestones in nuclear energy and emphasizes the industry's economic contributions, including $2 billion in state GDP impact and $70 million in annual tax revenue. It does not enact new laws or alter regulations but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the sector's importance. This is a non-binding gesture by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHR 256 is a Pennsylvania state resolution designating September 2025 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" within the state. This symbolic measure aims to promote public attention and education about childhood cancer issues. It does not create new laws, allocate state funding, or impose requirements on any entity. The resolution was referred to the Children & Youth committee and reported as committed in September 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2091 requires Pennsylvania state agencies to submit detailed pre-acceptance reports to the Governor, General Assembly, Auditor General, and other oversight bodies before taking federal funds. These reports must include program details, performance goals, funding timelines, cost breakdowns (personnel, maintenance, etc.), and analysis of how federal requirements impact state operations. Agencies must also establish a public transparency portal showing daily federal spending and use federal funds to offset existing state costs - rather than creating new programs - while ensuring no budget deficit if federal funding ends. The bill mandates quarterly updates to oversight bodies and requires reporting of fraud to state and federal agencies like the Attorney General and U.S. Inspector General.

Maddy summaryHB 2065 amends Pennsylvania's pesticide law to prohibit the use of paraquat (identified by CAS number 4685-14-7 and related chemicals like methyl viologen) for any agricultural or pest control purposes within the state. This directly affects farmers, agricultural businesses, and pesticide applicators who currently use paraquat-based products. The bill explicitly bans its application, defines paraquat through specific chemical identifiers, and states that all conflicting regulations are superseded. The prohibition takes effect one year after the bill's enactment.