Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 72 in Swatara Township as the Senator David J. Arnold, Jr., Memorial Bridge to honor his service. The legislation officially names the structure after the late state senator, who previously served as Lebanon County's district attorney and later as a state senator. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Medical Practice Act to formally define and regulate the practice of midwifery by nurse-midwives and certified midwives. It establishes specific conditions under which nurse-midwives can prescribe medications, allowing those with advanced pharmacology training to dispense certain controlled substances for acute pain, opioid use disorder, and gynecologic health issues. The legislation also clarifies the scope of practice for nurse-midwives working in hospitals and birth centers versus those in other settings, requiring collaborative agreements with physicians in the latter case. Additionally, the bill grants nurse-midwives authority to order medical devices, immunizing agents, and laboratory tests while maintaining their responsibility for patient care decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protecting Parents of Transgender Children Act, prevents Pennsylvania government agencies from stopping parents or guardians from obtaining or allowing minors to access specific medical information and services. It defines these services as those that are medically accurate, medically appropriate, and evidence-based, ensuring that parental decisions in this area are not blocked by state authorities. Additionally, the law clarifies that a parent providing such information or services to a minor cannot be accused of child abuse under state law. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update the rules for historic preservation incentive tax credits. It clarifies which businesses and organizations are eligible to claim these credits and expands the definition of qualified taxpayers to include tax-exempt entities. The legislation also adjusts the administrative process by setting a new annual funding limit of $50 million for tax credit certificates and establishing a tiered application fee that cannot exceed 5% of the requested amount or $2,000. These changes aim to streamline how the Department of Community and Economic Development processes applications for funds used to restore historic structures.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates June 2024 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the state's LGBTQ+ community and mark the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Inn demonstrations. The document highlights historical events within the state, such as early civil rights protests in Philadelphia and past executive orders recognizing LGBTQ+ equality, as reasons for this recognition. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter laws or create new programs but serves to publicly acknowledge the contributions and struggles of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to impose stricter rules on pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmacies that work with them. The legislation prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to accept lower reimbursement rates to join their networks, banning retroactive money take-backs, and outlawing hidden fees or practices that steer patients toward specific pharmacies solely for cost savings. Additionally, it requires PBMs to respond to pharmacy network requests within 30 days, mandates quarterly reporting on drug rebates, and tasks a state department with regulating PBMs and ensuring pharmacies are reimbursed at least the cost of the drugs they dispense.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes replacing Pennsylvania's current Legislative Redistricting Commission with a new Independent Redistricting Commission to draw state and congressional election maps. The new commission would consist of eleven citizens selected from the two largest political parties and unaffiliated voters, with strict rules preventing current or former politicians, lobbyists, and party officials from serving. By removing elected lawmakers from the redistricting process, the legislation aims to create a more neutral body responsible for establishing district boundaries based on census data.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Pennsylvania prisons and county jails to provide free voice communication services to all inmates, ensuring access levels match those available as of January 1, 2023. The law mandates a specific ratio of operable phones to inmates in housing units and recreational yards while prohibiting any fees for making or receiving calls. To fund these services, the state will appropriate $16.5 million annually, with 70% going to the Department of Corrections and 30% distributed to counties based on their inmate populations. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that these communication tools cannot replace in-person visitation programs and must not limit existing face-to-face contact.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Program, a state-run cap-and-invest system designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants while generating revenue for the state. The program will require electricity generators with a capacity of 25 megawatts or more to purchase emission allowances at auctions, with proceeds directed into specific funds for energy transformation, workforce development, and low-income support. Key provisions include strict oversight by the Department of Environmental Protection, an independent audit of each auction to prevent market manipulation, and a ban on Pennsylvania's participation in other regional carbon markets once this program is active. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state review the emission budget to ensure it balances environmental goals with impacts on jobs, consumer costs, and vulnerable communities.

Maddy summarySB 1190 amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to update the law's name and refine its definitions of renewable energy sources. The bill expands the list of qualifying energy types to include advanced nuclear reactors, fuel cells, and specific forms of waste coal and coal mine methane, while also clarifying rules for low-impact hydropower and biogas. It introduces new provisions for zero emission credits, establishes force majeure clauses to handle unforeseen events, and outlines interagency responsibilities for enforcing health and safety standards. Electric utilities and alternative energy systems will be directly affected by these changes, which aim to modernize compliance requirements and broaden the scope of eligible energy generation.