Maddy summarySB 338 requires water and wastewater utilities in Pennsylvania to hold a ratepayer vote before selling systems valued at $1 million or more, with the commission blocking approval if a majority disapproves. It creates a "water ratepayer bill of rights" mandating annual reports showing acquisition costs, rate changes, and subsidies for former municipal customers, plus annual water source notifications. The bill directly affects residential ratepayers and water utilities, requiring transparency about privatization impacts and service changes. Key provisions include mandatory public voting on utility sales, detailed annual reporting on acquisition costs, and requirements for notifying customers about water sources and land access rights.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 348 requires firearm owners or lawful possessors in Pennsylvania to report a lost or stolen firearm to local police within 24 hours, providing specific details like the serial number, model, and caliber. Police must then forward this information to the Pennsylvania State Police, who will share it with all law enforcement agencies to aid in locating the firearm. Violating this reporting requirement is a minor offense punishable by a fine of up to $500. The bill directly affects individuals who own or legally possess firearms, creating a new administrative duty to report losses or thefts.
Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 262 creates a legal process for courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm. Family members, household members, or law enforcement can petition a court if they reasonably believe a person has firearms and is at risk of violence, requiring specific evidence like recent threats or acts. The court must hold a hearing within 14 days, and if it finds the risk is "more likely than not," it issues a one-year order requiring the person to surrender all firearms. The bill prohibits fees or bonds for petitioners and mandates law enforcement to enforce firearm surrender, with clear procedures for service, notice, and reporting.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups directly, but encourages statewide observance of African American contributions to the Commonwealth. The Senate adopted the resolution on February 5, 2025, aligning with the national observance established through historical efforts like Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson's founding of Negro History Week. The resolution acknowledges the annual theme "African Americans and Labor" as designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 20) is a ceremonial statement honoring the 50th anniversary of the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation on January 15, 2025. It recognizes the foundation’s 50-year work serving Philadelphia’s Korean immigrant community and expanding to support broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities through health services, senior employment training, advocacy, and cultural programs. The resolution also commemorates Dr. Philip Jaisohn, a pioneering Korean-American who became the first Korean immigrant to gain U.S. citizenship in 1890 and championed Korean independence efforts in the U.S. This is a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.
Maddy summarySR 18 is a procedural resolution recognizing February 2025 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally honors the contributions of African Americans throughout Pennsylvania's history and aligns with the national observance established by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but rather serves as an official acknowledgment by the Pennsylvania Senate. It follows the annual tradition of designating February for this observance, as established by the ASALH.
Maddy summarySB 208 increases the waiting period for most firearm transfers between non-licensed individuals from 48 to 72 hours, with exceptions for transfers between spouses, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren. It also requires background check records for these sales to be destroyed by the Pennsylvania State Police within 72 hours of the check. This law applies only to specific firearms, including short-barreled pistols (under 15 inches barrel), shotguns (under 18 inches barrel), rifles (under 16 inches barrel), and compact firearms (under 26 inches overall length).
Maddy summarySR 14 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Vincent C. DeLiberato, Jr., upon his retirement as Director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau after 49 years of service. It recognizes his career spanning legal work, military service, academic contributions, and leadership roles in legal committees. The resolution formally acknowledges his "distinguished career" and "extraordinary commitment" to the bureau, with a copy sent to Mr. DeLiberato. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on public law.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans health insurers in Pennsylvania from setting annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential medical services (like hospital care, surgery, and emergency treatment), affecting both in-network and out-of-network providers. It applies to individual and group health insurance policies, directly protecting enrollees from coverage caps on core benefits. Insurers must comply with these limits, with enforcement including fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law takes effect for policies filed with the Insurance Department after its effective date.
Maddy summarySB 51, the Health Insurance Core Benefits Coverage Act, requires Pennsylvania health insurance companies to cover specific core health benefits in both individual and group plans. It mandates coverage for 10 essential categories, including emergency services, mental health care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, preventive care, and pediatric services (like dental/vision for children). The law ensures plans are at least as comprehensive as those offered in 2018, with the Insurance Department allowed to adjust requirements through regulations. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by standardizing minimum coverage across the state.