Sen. Jarrett Coleman

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state hunting laws to formally regulate the use of small drones, defining them as aircraft under 55 pounds and establishing a new permit system for their operation. It allows individuals with a special permit to use drones to help recover harvested game or wildlife, provided no firearms are used and the animal was not observed less than 24 hours prior. The legislation also clarifies restrictions on spotlighting, permitting drone use for recovery purposes while maintaining bans on using lights to hunt live animals or harass livestock. To qualify for a recovery permit, applicants must submit proof of a federal remote pilot certificate, insurance, and pay a fee ranging from $5 for personal use to $100 for commercial activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania election laws to clarify definitions, improve the preparation of electronic voting systems, and establish stricter pre-election testing procedures. It requires county election boards to have emergency paper ballots ready for every district and mandates that representatives from political parties and election watchdog groups be allowed to observe the setup and testing of voting machines. The legislation also introduces a new requirement for logic and accuracy testing, which involves running specific patterns on machines to verify they count votes correctly before an election takes place. Finally, the bill increases penalties for anyone who falsifies documents related to this pre-election testing process.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to regulate the sale and distribution of ready-to-drink cocktails, which are defined as premixed alcoholic beverages containing between 0.5% and 12.5% alcohol by volume. It establishes a new permit system allowing restaurants, hotels, and distributors to sell these drinks while restricting sales for off-premises consumption after 11 p.m. The legislation also clarifies rules for Pennsylvania Liquor Stores regarding wholesale sales to licensees and special order restrictions, while expanding import licenses to include ready-to-drink cocktails. Additionally, the bill introduces specific provisions for limited distilleries and updates definitions to ensure clarity across the state's alcohol regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to clarify rules for car modifications and safety equipment. It specifically allows vehicle owners to remove and reinstall doors while requiring that any modified vehicle still have side mirrors attached for visibility. Additionally, the law mandates that vehicles with removed doors must be inspected with those doors reattached to ensure they meet safety standards. The legislation also expands seat belt requirements to include passengers in the back seats of certain vehicles used for specific unlawful activities.

Maddy summaryThis law updates Pennsylvania's insurance regulations by clarifying rules on rebates and inducements given to customers. It generally prohibits insurers and agents from offering discounts, special favors, or valuable items that are not clearly written in the insurance policy. However, the bill creates specific exceptions for certain types of bonuses in life insurance, adjustments to group rates, and the provision of value-added services like risk education or health planning. Additionally, it allows for small non-cash gifts, such as meals or donations, up to a set annual limit, provided they are not tied to buying insurance and are offered fairly to all customers.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates the legal definition of an abandoned vehicle and establishes a new reporting process for private property owners. It clarifies that vehicles left on private property without consent for more than 24 hours are considered abandoned, while also setting specific timeframes for vehicles on salvage yards and wholesale auctions. Under the new rules, property owners and authorized dealers must file a report with local police before removing or processing these vehicles to legally clear titles and sell them. The legislation also outlines how wholesale auctions can handle unclaimed vehicles, including limits on storage fees and procedures for issuing branded titles to indicate the vehicle's history.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Right-to-Know Law to require organizations that receive taxpayer money or are regulated by government agencies to provide public records. Specifically, it mandates that any entity receiving grants, loans, or appropriations, or falling under the jurisdiction of a state or local agency, must comply with existing public record disclosure rules. The amendment clarifies the scope of entities subject to these transparency requirements by adding a new section to the statute. This change ensures that publicly funded and regulated organizations are held to the same open records standards as other public bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public School Code to update how schools handle incidents involving weapons and to clarify definitions of school entities and property. It requires school districts to notify parents and guardians of students and employees located on any building sharing a campus with the incident site, unless local policies dictate otherwise. The legislation also mandates that schools inform specific employees assigned to the student involved in an incident, provided such notification complies with federal privacy laws. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of school property to include public grounds, school-sponsored activities, and transportation vehicles used for school purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Cosmetology Law to create a new "limited license" specifically for natural hair braiders, allowing them to operate legally without a full cosmetology license. It defines natural hair braiding as techniques that create tension on hair roots, such as twisting or weaving, while explicitly excluding the use of dyes or chemical treatments. Under the new rules, individuals can obtain this specialized license by completing three hundred hours of training or by proving three years of prior practice, and they are permitted to work in licensed salons. The legislation also clarifies that practicing cosmetology without a license remains illegal and establishes specific sanitary and educational requirements for schools and teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania food safety laws to set stricter standards for water used in food establishments and bottled water production. It requires any business serving or selling water for drinking to use sources that meet state safe drinking water requirements or standards that are at least as strict. The law also mandates that bottled water products follow specific federal labeling and recall rules while removing any conflicting state regulations. These changes apply to all food establishments regardless of the size of the containers they use.