Sen. Nikil Saval

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates March 18, 2026, as "Gideon's Day" in Pennsylvania to honor public defenders and the 1963 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees legal counsel to those who cannot afford it. The measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding; it simply recognizes the importance of public defenders in protecting constitutional rights during criminal proceedings. The resolution highlights the role public defenders play in representing indigent clients and acknowledges the challenges they face, though it stops short of mandating specific policy changes or resource allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act to regulate residential rental application fees and background check policies. It limits application fees to the lesser of the actual cost of a background check or $50, allowing landlords to charge only for criminal history and credit checks. The legislation also requires landlords to make individualized assessments when considering criminal history, evaluating factors like the nature of the offense and time elapsed since conviction. These rules apply only to residential properties and cannot be waived by applicants through contracts.

Maddy summarySB 802 creates a voluntary "communication impairment designation" for Pennsylvania drivers with conditions affecting communication (e.g., autism, aphasia). Drivers submit a medical professional's sworn statement, confirm voluntary disclosure, and provide emergency contact info to add a visible "i" symbol to their license. Law enforcement can access the designation and emergency contacts during traffic stops via secure networks, but specific medical details remain private and are not public records. The designation can be added, updated, or removed without fees (except standard license renewal costs), with penalties for fraudulent applications or misuse to avoid lawful orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax law to update how taxable income is calculated for corporations, particularly those operating across state lines. It clarifies definitions for taxable income and adjusts rules for dividend deductions, restricting additional deductions for dividends between companies in the same unitary group after December 31, 2026. The legislation also introduces stricter limits on deductions for intangible and interest expenses related to transactions with affiliated entities, while providing tax credits to offset taxes paid by related companies in other jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill updates provisions for underpayment of estimated taxes and establishes requirements for consolidated tax reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to explicitly define "dynamic pricing" as a potential unfair trade practice. It directly affects businesses that sell essential goods or services by clarifying that using artificial intelligence to vary prices within a 24-hour period based on demand may be considered deceptive. The law defines dynamic pricing as changing prices based on demand or AI-driven adjustments, while excluding bona fide pricing practices that offer genuine discounts without misleading consumers. Essential goods are defined as items exempt from sales tax, and the bill includes specific definitions for artificial intelligence, generative AI, and former price comparisons to guide enforcement. The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes workplace heat protection standards in Pennsylvania to safeguard employees from heat-related injuries and illnesses caused by heat stress. It requires the Department of Labor and Industry to create regulations within one year that mandate employers implement cooling measures, such as job rotation, misting equipment, and access to water, when heat index levels reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The law applies to all employers except emergency responders and fire service personnel during nonemergency situations, while also creating a dedicated enforcement fund and setting penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 1157 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to require immediate action for hazardous substance spills in residential areas. The bill mandates that responsible parties (such as owners, operators, or transporters) must promptly contain, clean up, and remove discharges threatening public health, drinking water, or residential environments. It imposes strict liability on these parties without requiring proof of fault and authorizes the Department of Environmental Resources to issue cleanup directives. The law aims to ensure faster responses to spills endangering homes, water supplies, and residents, aligning with Pennsylvania's constitutional environmental protections.

Maddy summarySB 1193 requires federal immigration agents to obtain a judicial warrant or order before making civil immigration arrests in Pennsylvania state facilities (like prisons or courthouses) or within 1,000 feet of them, with an exception for arrests tied to ongoing proceedings within the facility. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and public authorities operating such facilities by mandating warrant compliance. The bill allows individuals subjected to warrantless arrests to sue state entities for damages (minimum $500) or other relief, and explicitly states that state immunity laws cannot block such lawsuits. This creates legal accountability for state facilities that permit unauthorized federal immigration enforcement actions.

Maddy summarySB 1199 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to impose a 50-mill tax (45 mills base plus 5 mills surtax) on gross receipts from digital advertising services displayed to users on digital interfaces within Pennsylvania. It directly affects companies providing digital advertising - such as social media, search engines, and banner ad platforms - that target users located in the state. The tax applies to advertising services utilizing user personal information, including banner ads, search engine ads, and interstitial ads, but exempts broadcast and news media entities. Key provisions define "digital interface" as websites or apps accessible to users and specify that the tax applies when ads are displayed to users within Pennsylvania, not just when the company is based here. This creates a new revenue stream for the state targeting digital ad revenue generated from Pennsylvania residents.

Maddy summarySB 1189 amends Pennsylvania law to prohibit law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining individuals based on race, nationality, or immigration status without probable cause for an immigration violation. The bill defines "indiscriminate arrest" as using these factors to make arrests without a warrant, or to meet a quota, and makes such actions a misdemeanor of the first degree. This applies to all law enforcement officers, including federal officials and state peace officers, as defined in existing law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.