Sen. Lisa Baker

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's tax code to exclude specific financial compensation from being counted as taxable income. It directly affects individuals who received payments from the federal or state government, Norfolk Southern Railway, or their agents following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023. The key provision adds a new category to the tax law stating that these specific recovery funds are not subject to personal income tax. By making this change, the legislation ensures that money awarded for the aftermath of that disaster remains tax-free for the recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a "governmental entity" within Pennsylvania's education retirement statutes to explicitly include various school boards and authorities. It directly affects employees of associations that collect membership dues from public schools, ensuring these workers are covered under the state retirement system if hired after the law takes effect. The legislation also clarifies that such associations will not be treated as nonparticipating employers as long as they maintain active participants in the retirement plan. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's registration law to exempt certain employees and contractors of public utilities, electric cooperatives, and telecommunications providers from needing professional licensure for their engineering, land surveying, or geology work. The exemption applies only when these organizations already employ at least one licensed professional engineer and one licensed land surveyor who are responsible for overseeing the work, or when the telecommunications work is not incidental to engineering or surveying services. By allowing these specific groups to operate without individual licenses, the legislation aims to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining oversight through the requirement that a licensed professional remains in charge of the company's technical operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's gaming laws to strengthen protections for individuals who voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities. It requires licensed casinos and gaming operators to immediately remove self-excluded persons from all marketing lists and prohibits them from receiving any advertisements, promotions, or credits. The legislation also mandates that these entities deny access to complimentary services, cash-cashing privileges, and credit lines for anyone on the exclusion list. To enforce these rules, the bill establishes new criminal penalties, including significant fines and potential jail time, for operators who fail to maintain accurate exclusion lists or contact prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's existing Kinship Caregiver Navigator Program to expand support for relatives raising children who are not their own. It establishes a new funding mechanism that provides grants to qualified organizations for offering legal services, such as help with custody or adoption, and case management assistance, including access to medical and educational resources. To receive these funds, organizations must serve low-income kinship caregivers who meet specific eligibility criteria and have not been convicted of certain serious crimes. The legislation also updates the program's website requirements to include information on available legal and case management services.

Maddy summarySB 1182 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act to update rules regarding expert qualifications and the "certificate of merit" required in medical malpractice lawsuits. The bill defines a certificate of merit as a written statement from a licensed professional confirming there is a reasonable probability that a doctor's care fell below acceptable standards, or it notes that expert testimony is unnecessary. Under the new provisions, any expert providing this statement or testifying in court must hold an active medical license in the state and have current clinical experience in the same or a similar specialty as the doctor being sued. Courts retain limited ability to waive these strict requirements if the expert has relevant training in treating the specific condition or possesses sufficient knowledge through teaching, but the waiver cannot apply to the initial certificate of merit. These changes aim to standardize who can provide professional opinions in medical liability cases and clarify the documentation needed to file such claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Pennsylvania's Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit program by raising the annual funding cap from $36 million to $72 million. It adjusts the percentage of tax credits available to businesses and private companies based on their investment duration and specific project types, such as veterans' housing or long-term service commitments. The legislation also raises the maximum credit limit per taxpayer and allocates $2 million specifically for pass-through entities like partnerships and S corporations. These changes aim to encourage more private investment in community development projects while maintaining restrictions on financial institutions using credits for their standard business operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's lobbying laws by clarifying definitions for terms like "affiliate" and "political consultant" to ensure clearer identification of related parties and service providers. It requires lobbyists, lobbying firms, principals, and political consultants to register electronically with the state within ten days of beginning their work and to report changes within 14 days. The legislation also establishes specific exemptions from registration and reporting for individuals who limit their activities to testifying, earn less than $2,500, work less than 20 hours for their employer, or represent religious organizations. Additionally, it mandates that political consultants disclose the specific candidates and offices they have assisted in the past 12 months. These changes aim to increase transparency in how individuals and organizations influence state and county officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to prohibit online platforms from displaying prices that hide mandatory fees until after a consumer clicks to purchase. It specifically targets event ticket, lodging, and food delivery platforms by requiring them to prominently show the total cost, including taxes and non-variable mandatory charges, before the transaction is finalized. The legislation defines these platforms to include sites for booking hotels, renting temporary lodging, and selling or reselling event tickets, while explicitly exempting government-imposed taxes and fees. Additionally, the law clarifies that media outlets acting in good faith without knowledge of deceptive content are not subject to these new restrictions. The changes will not take effect until 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow licensed alcohol establishments to temporarily extend their service areas and issue off-premises catering permits. It authorizes the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to implement these extensions without requiring a filing fee from applicants. The new provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2024, and the changes will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.