Sen. Nick Miller

Maddy summarySB 760 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private school buildings to test for radon gas starting in the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter, schools must implement mitigation (like sealing foundations or installing vents) and retest until levels drop below that threshold. New schools must use radon-resistant construction techniques, and all testing/mitigation must be performed by certified professionals following specific standards. Results must be reported to school boards, parents' groups, teachers' unions, and state agencies within 60 days.

Maddy summarySB 680 amends the existing Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act by expanding its definition of "health care practitioner." This bill specifically adds speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists to the list of professionals covered by the act. The original act prohibits the enforcement of certain noncompete agreements for health care practitioners. Therefore, these newly included professionals would also fall under the protections against such noncompete covenants.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 664 amends an existing law related to waste tire recycling to introduce new requirements for replacement tires. It mandates that when an individual replaces a vehicle tire at a business that sells tires, the business must keep the old tire for recycling. The individual is not permitted to remove the waste tire from the business. This provision applies to tires that no longer meet safety inspection standards or are expected to fail within three months, but not to tires that are only being repaired.

Maddy summarySB 736 amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, primarily focusing on fees and charges for State parks. The bill mandates that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provide a 15% discount on all State park fees, admissions, and charges for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and their immediate family members. It also clarifies that DCNR cannot impose new general parking or admission fees unless they existed prior to 1995, while allowing for fees on specific services or facilities. All fees collected from State parks must be used for the acquisition, maintenance, operation, or administration of the State park system.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 310 mandates that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, high school students in Pennsylvania's public, nonpublic, and private schools must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating. Students or their parents/legal guardians can choose to opt out of filing the FAFSA by submitting a state-developed form to their school. Schools are responsible for providing this opt-out form and may exempt students if they cannot be reached and no FAFSA or opt-out form is submitted. The bill clarifies that schools do not require personal financial information from students or families, and any inadvertently obtained information is not a public record.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 concerning Neighborhood Improvement Zones (NIZs). It reorganizes the board of directors for the contracting authority within these zones, establishing a new nine-member board with specific appointment processes for the Mayor and certain State legislators. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the contracting authority and an independent auditing firm will have access to State and local tax information, including taxpayer identification numbers, of qualified businesses in NIZs. This access is strictly limited to documenting certifications or performing audits related to the NIZ program, with other uses remaining prohibited.

Maddy summarySB 711, titled "An Act providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund transfers and increases," aims to modify the funding and allocation mechanisms for public transportation in Pennsylvania. The bill mandates that 6.15% of the revenue collected under Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 be deposited into the Public Transportation Trust Fund monthly. It also allows the total financial assistance provided to local transportation organizations to exceed the current 20% limit of the prior year's allocation. Furthermore, the Secretary of Transportation gains the authority to adjust the annual increase in the local match requirement for these organizations for five fiscal years, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public Utilities law regarding energy efficiency and conservation programs for electric distribution companies. It requires the Public Utility Commission to adopt an updated program, mandating these companies to implement plans focused on energy efficiency, conservation, and increasing consumer resilience to extreme weather events. The bill modifies requirements for targeted energy reduction efforts, including those for government entities, non-profits, and low-income households, ensuring proportionate benefits and allowing for alternative compliance mechanisms. It establishes ongoing requirements for these plans, removing previous fixed deadlines, and outlines cost recovery mechanisms for approved measures.

Maddy summarySB 501 renames the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standards Act. The bill revises definitions for various energy sources, expanding what qualifies as "alternative" or "sustainable" energy to include "advanced reactors." It introduces new "zero emissions credits" and updates the portfolio requirements that electric distribution and supply companies must meet. Additionally, it provides for force majeure events, health and safety standards, and interagency responsibilities related to energy generation.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 504, known as the Community Energy Act, establishes a program for community energy facilities in Pennsylvania. This bill allows electric customers, including homeowners, renters, and businesses, to subscribe to a portion of a local solar or renewable natural gas facility. Subscribers would receive credits on their monthly electric bills for the energy generated, aiming to provide guaranteed savings. The bill outlines duties for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and electric distribution companies, and includes prevailing wage and labor requirements for the construction and operation of these facilities.