Rep. Dave Zimmerman

Maddy summaryHB 1947 sets annual spending limits for the state's budget and restricts emergency spending without prior legislative approval. It requires the state to establish a Commonwealth Reserve Fund, funded by designated revenue sources, to cover unexpected costs like natural disasters or economic downturns. The bill directly affects state budgeting processes by mandating these spending constraints and creating a new fund for fiscal stability. This would change how the legislature and governor manage state finances, requiring adherence to spending caps and mandatory reserve funding.

Maddy summaryHR 346 is a resolution (not a law) urging Pennsylvania's Department of State to cooperate with federal authorities, specifically the U.S. Department of Justice, regarding voter registration checks. It directly targets state election officials, requiring them to share information to prevent noncitizen voter registration as part of federal election integrity efforts. The resolution seeks to compel state-level compliance with federal requests but does not create new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1937 requires specific Pennsylvania government agencies to provide voter registration services during routine interactions. It mandates that offices offering public assistance, county clerk services (including marriage licenses), disability programs, hunting/fishing license applications, and military recruitment centers must offer voter registration forms or assistance. The bill expands existing voter registration opportunities by adding these service points to the list of locations where citizens can register or update their voter information. This directly affects Pennsylvanians visiting these agencies, making voter registration more accessible during existing government interactions. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 341 is a resolution urging the Department of Human Services to transmit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as legally required. It directly affects the Department of Human Services, mandating compliance with existing federal data reporting rules for SNAP. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to ensure timely submission of enrollment data to the USDA. This is a procedural measure focused on administrative compliance, not policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 587 amends Pennsylvania's agriculture laws to establish regulations for businesses that transport waste from animal and food processing (referred to as "residuals" in the bill). The bill requires commercial haulers and brokers to follow specific handling and transportation standards for these materials and imposes fines for non-compliance. This directly affects companies that move agricultural waste, aiming to improve safety and environmental management through clear, enforceable rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 would change how Pennsylvania awards transportation infrastructure projects by allowing state agencies to use a "design build best value" approach instead of solely selecting the lowest bid. This means projects could be awarded based on a combination of cost, technical quality, and project timeline, rather than just the cheapest proposal. The bill directly affects state transportation projects (like roads and bridges) and the contractors bidding on them. It is currently pending final approval after passing third consideration in the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1915 amends Pennsylvania's game laws to further support junior hunter projects managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bill directly affects young hunters (typically minors) by expanding access to educational and supervised hunting programs focused on safety and conservation. Key provisions update the statutes to clarify the commission's authority and structure for these initiatives. The bill was referred to the Game & Fisheries committee on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require individuals who commit "swatting" to pay for the costs incurred by law enforcement responding to their false emergency reports. It directly affects people who intentionally make false reports to trigger a police SWAT response at someone else's home. The key provision establishes that perpetrators must reimburse law enforcement agencies for the actual expenses of the response, including officer time and equipment. This bill focuses on holding swatting offenders financially accountable for the resources they waste.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 would create a new criminal offense in Pennsylvania for "swatting," defined as making a false emergency report to law enforcement to provoke a high-risk police response (like sending a SWAT team) at a victim's location. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally submit false reports for the purpose of causing fear, harm, or disruption to others. It amends Pennsylvania’s criminal code (Title 18) to specifically address swatting under the section on falsification and intimidation. This would provide a clear legal standard for prosecuting such acts, which currently may not be adequately covered under existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 139 designates the week of September 14-20, 2025, as "Truck Driver Appreciation Week" in Pennsylvania. The resolution symbolically honors commercial truck drivers for their contributions to the state's transportation and economy. It has no legal effect or funding requirements; it simply recognizes truck drivers through a formal designation. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy change affecting regulations or services.