Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summarySB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how income is defined for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It specifically allows seniors who were eligible for the rebate as of December 31, 2012, to retain their eligibility if their household income exceeds the limit solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, but this exception expires on December 31, 2016. The bill updates the definition of "income" to include specific rules for counting Social Security benefits, excluding Medicare, and applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This directly affects low-income seniors in Pennsylvania who rely on these rebates.

Maddy summarySB 145 amends Pennsylvania's Public Official Compensation Law to adjust how state legislators' salaries are calculated. It establishes that members of the General Assembly and their officers/leaders receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland area. The bill specifically blocks COLA increases for the 2020-2021 period and allows legislators to opt out of receiving a COLA by notifying the Chief Clerk 10 days before the adjustment date. This directly affects all current and future Pennsylvania legislators by altering their salary adjustment mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 66 amends Pennsylvania's ethics laws to clarify restrictions on cash gifts for public officials and employees. It defines "cash gift" broadly to include money, gift cards, prepaid cards, and virtual currency, while excluding certain common transactions like family gifts or public contests. The bill prohibits officials from accepting cash gifts from lobbyists or people seeking official action, with penalties of up to $1,000 for gifts under $250 (misdemeanor) or $10,000 plus potential imprisonment for $250+ gifts (felony). These changes directly affect Pennsylvania public officials and employees who may receive such gifts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 9), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh on her 85th birthday and recognizes her decades of advocacy work supporting people with disabilities. The resolution highlights her roles as a former Pennsylvania First Lady, her leadership with disability-focused organizations, her co-authorship of advocacy publications, and her personal connection to disability advocacy through her son. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it formally acknowledges the UN-established date honoring Holocaust victims and promoting education about the genocide. The resolution references the historical context of the Holocaust and the UN's 2005 designation of January 27 as a day to honor victims and combat hatred. It serves as a commemorative gesture by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 139 allows parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to request a one-year waiver from Pennsylvania's compulsory school attendance requirements for the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify, the child must have a recent clinical diagnosis, a medical assessment recommending intensive early intervention, and proof the services will continue during the waiver. If approved, the child remains eligible for early intervention services under state law, and parents retain the right to enroll them in school anytime during the waiver period. The waiver does not provide compensatory education for the time the child is not in school.

Maddy summarySB 147 creates a program offering financial incentives to Pennsylvania truck owners and fleets purchasing near-zero emission trucks (diesel models from 2010 or later meeting EPA standards). It provides grants covering either the federal excise tax on new trucks or 6% of the used truck price (up to $5,000) to offset costs, but requires trading in a pre-2010 diesel truck that is titled and registered in Pennsylvania. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, operates on a first-come, first-served basis with funds from a dedicated state incentive fund. Truck owners must register the new vehicle in Pennsylvania for at least two years to qualify for the grant.

Maddy summarySB 59 clarifies Pennsylvania's definition of "community college" to explicitly include programs like career training, college-parallel courses, and credit courses for high school students. It grants the State Board of Education authority to set mandatory standards for community college facilities, curriculum, faculty qualifications, student enrollment, and degree requirements. The bill also requires the State Board to prescribe all types of diplomas and certificates awarded by community colleges and permits them to offer nursing bachelor's degrees to students with associate's in nursing. This directly affects community colleges and their students across Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 25 amends Pennsylvania's Professional Nursing Law to update regulations for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs). It clarifies definitions, including "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner" (APRN-CNP), and specifies their scope of practice, including prescribing authority for certain medications. The bill requires CRNPs to collaborate with physicians through written agreements and immediate communication protocols, while transferring oversight of CRNP licensing from the State Board of Medicine to the State Board of Nursing. These changes directly affect nurse practitioners, the State Board of Nursing, and physicians working with CRNPs in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt certain veterans and their surviving spouses from Pennsylvania property taxes on their primary residences. It applies to veterans who served honorably and have specific service-connected disabilities (such as blindness, paralysis, amputation, or a 100% VA-rated disability), as well as surviving spouses of veterans killed in action or with service-connected deaths. The exemption requires the State Veterans' Commission to verify the applicant’s financial need and does not consider disability compensation when determining eligibility. The amendment must be approved by the General Assembly and voters before taking effect.