Rep. Dave Zimmerman

Maddy summaryHB 379 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle registration and driver licensing laws to create new exemptions for agricultural purposes. It exempts certain farm equipment (implements of husbandry, trailers, or semitrailers) from registration when operated between a farmer's home and an annual school-hosted agricultural event, limited to trips under 25 miles. The bill also exempts individuals aged 14 or older from needing a driver's license to operate such equipment on public roads during daylight hours for these specific farm-to-school trips. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania farmers and young agricultural workers traveling to educational events. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 400 designates the passenger pigeon (*Ectopistes migratorius*) as Pennsylvania's official extinct species, with no direct impact on individuals or regulations. The bill's sole provision, in Section 2, formally establishes this designation through state law. It includes historical findings about the passenger pigeon's former abundance in Pennsylvania and its role in raising awareness about species preservation. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 328 amends Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act to require the Department of Environmental Protection to authorize stream clearing activities up to 250 feet from water obstructions (like dams) when issuing emergency permits during declared disasters. It directly affects Commonwealth agencies and local governments seeking emergency clearance for flood or safety risks. The bill mandates this 250-foot radius for emergency permits requested by these entities when a Federal, State, or county disaster emergency is officially declared. This change streamlines emergency response without altering standard permit requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 351 amends Pennsylvania law to create a new misdemeanor offense for municipal elected officials or public employees who undermine state law enforcement. Specifically, it prohibits officials from approving laws that decriminalize state-prohibited activities, altering penalties for state offenses, directing peace officers not to enforce state laws, or creating alternative enforcement methods. Any municipal law, regulation, or policy conflicting with state law is declared null and void. The bill excludes the Attorney General, district attorneys, and peace officers from these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 327 creates a new continuous maintenance permit for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and municipalities (including counties, cities, and townships) to maintain waterways, dams, and related infrastructure without needing repeated state approvals. To qualify, applicants must have no history of significant violations and agree to maintain specified areas under the permit. Permits last at least 10 years, require annual reports of maintenance activities by January 15 each year, and can be renewed automatically after 10 years of compliance. This streamlines routine upkeep while ensuring accountability through reporting and adherence to engineering standards.

Maddy summaryHB 277 allows victims of sex trafficking to sue individuals or entities that recruit, profit from, or advertise for sex trade activities. The bill amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to create a civil legal pathway for victims to seek remedies in court, specifically targeting those who recruit victims, maintain them in sex trade acts, or cause bodily harm during such acts. It directly affects victims of sex trafficking and those who exploit them through recruitment, advertising, or financial gain. The law does not change criminal penalties but adds a civil remedy for victims to pursue compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 368 clarifies Pennsylvania's vehicle registration law to allow owners of antique, classic, vintage, collectible, or historic military vehicle plates to operate these vehicles for transporting people or property, or towing another vehicle, to permitted events (like car shows or club gatherings) without violating non-commercial use rules. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents who hold these special vehicle registration plates. The bill explicitly states that such transportation or towing is permitted only if the owner receives no payment or compensation for the service. The amendment takes immediate effect upon passage and does not change existing requirements for non-commercial use of these vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 347 allows oil and gas companies to lease subsurface rights beneath Pennsylvania's state forests and parks for drilling, provided the drilling originates outside these areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) must review applications, with disapproval possible for environmental violations or projects causing significant harm, and companies can appeal denials to court. All lease revenue goes into the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, with upfront payments specifically directed to a restricted account funding stream maintenance and clearing projects. The bill also cancels prior executive orders and policies restricting such leasing on state lands.

Maddy summaryHB 299 designates March 4 as Charter Day, June 14 as Flag Day, and September 17 as Constitution Day for annual observance in Pennsylvania. The bill explains these dates commemorate historical events: William Penn's 1681 charter, the 1777 adoption of the U.S. flag, and the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution. Crucially, the bill clarifies that these designations do not require employers to treat the days as official holidays or provide paid leave. This is a commemorative measure with no new legal obligations for businesses or government entities.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Pennsylvania's land development rules to create "nonbuilding lots" - parcels without sewage-producing structures - that are exempt from standard subdivision regulations. Property owners can create up to two such lots by obtaining a Department of Environmental Protection waiver confirming no sewage facilities are needed, or up to two or more lots when the waiver designates the division is among immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, etc.). Owners who later build on these lots must comply with current zoning and development laws. This bill directly affects land developers and local governments managing property divisions in Pennsylvania.