Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summarySB 105 requires organizations running political advertisements not authorized by a candidate or their committee to list the top five donors who contributed the most in the previous year. This applies to ads promoting or opposing candidates or ballot questions through media like newspapers, radio, or online. The bill mandates that such ads include the exact phrase "The top five contributors to the organization for this advertisement are" followed by the donor names. It amends Section 1638(a)(3) of Pennsylvania's Election Code to enforce this transparency requirement. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 97 updates Pennsylvania's ethics rules for public officials and employees by clarifying what constitutes a "gift" and requiring disclosure of certain gifts. It prohibits officials from accepting gifts valued at $250 or more from lobbyists or individuals seeking official action, while excluding small tokens ($50 or less), family gifts, and public event hospitality. Officials must report gifts totaling $250 or more annually, with penalties including felony charges (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fines) for violations involving $250+ gifts. The bill directly affects state legislators, agency staff, and other public employees required to file financial disclosure statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program in Pennsylvania to help owners of older diesel trucks buy newer, cleaner models that meet 2010 or later emission standards. To qualify for funding, applicants must trade in a pre-2010 diesel truck that is currently titled and insured in the state, and the Department of Transportation will distribute grants on a first-come, first-served basis. The financial assistance covers the federal excise tax on new trucks or provides a grant equal to 6% of the sale price for used trucks, with a minimum of $5,000. The program also establishes a dedicated state fund to finance these grants and requires the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure traded-in older trucks are not re-registered in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and achievements of the late Henry George Hager III, a former Pennsylvania state senator and Senate leader. It formally expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and friends following his passing. The document outlines his career highlights, including his service as a district attorney, his tenure as Senate President pro tempore, and his leadership roles at the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage to include post-traumatic stress injuries for emergency medical services personnel responding to specific traumatic events. It defines a qualifying traumatic event as incidents involving serious injury or death, threats to life, mass casualties, or crime scene investigations, and extends the time limit for filing claims to one year after the injury occurs. The legislation also sets a maximum benefit period of 104 weeks for these stress-related injuries and allows treatment by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists. By updating the state's Workers' Compensation Act, the law ensures that EMS workers who suffer from psychological trauma related to their duties can receive financial and medical support.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill modifies the state's tax code to improve how corporations and other entities can resolve tax disputes with the Department of Revenue. It establishes a formal settlement conference process where neutral officers, who must be experienced attorneys or accountants, facilitate negotiations between taxpayers and the state to reach voluntary agreements. The legislation also allows the tax board to extend deadlines for filing appeals under certain conditions and mandates that these settlement discussions remain private and confidential. By creating specific procedures for compromise settlements and requiring timely reporting to the General Assembly, the bill aims to streamline the administrative review of tax issues.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill officially establishes Vietnam War Veterans Day as a state observance to be held annually on March 29. The legislation directs the Governor to issue a yearly proclamation encouraging public schools and educational institutions to hold events that honor the service and sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, while explicitly stating that participation in these events cannot be mandatory. By adding this designation to the state statutes, the bill ensures that the contributions of those who served during the Vietnam Conflict are formally recognized within Pennsylvania, aligning the state with the existing federal observance.

Maddy summarySB 1237 amends the Underground Utility Line Protection Law to update specific dates and strengthen enforcement measures for protecting underground infrastructure. The bill sets a new expiration date of April 30, 2018, for a particular clause and requires project owners to issue compliance orders immediately rather than waiting 60 days. These changes apply to facility owners, designers, excavators, and project owners who must adhere to the updated damage prevention rules. By tightening the timeline for compliance orders, the legislation aims to ensure faster responses to potential threats against underground utility lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Pennsylvania Administrative Code to give the Elevator Safety Board authority to suggest changes to the 2016 American Society of Mechanical Engineers elevator safety standards before they take effect. The Department of Labor and Industry must receive these recommendations by December 31, 2024, and then publish the updated code in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by March 31, 2025. The legislation directly impacts the state's elevator safety oversight process by formalizing a timeline for reviewing and updating technical safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to update investment rules for state funds and establish a new retirement savings initiative called the Keystone Saves Program. The program allows eligible employers to facilitate automatic contributions from employee paychecks into Individual Retirement Accounts, with specific definitions provided for who qualifies as an employer and employee. Additionally, the legislation sets a new expiration date for the Treasury Department's authority to invest state moneys and adjusts the effective date for the electric vehicle road user charge.