Sen. Scott Hutchinson

Maddy summarySB 751 gradually reduces Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for transfers to certain family members, including parents, grandparents, children, and spouses. It lowers the tax rate step-by-step over time, starting at 4.5% for deaths before July 1, 2026, and decreasing to 0% for deaths on or after July 1, 2035. This directly affects Pennsylvania residents inheriting property from immediate family members as defined in the tax code. The bill modifies Section 2116(a)(1) of the 1971 Tax Reform Code to establish these phased rate reductions.

Maddy summarySB 750 modifies Pennsylvania's inheritance tax rates for property transferred to siblings, gradually lowering the tax from 12% to 0% over time. The bill reduces the rate annually, starting at 12% for deaths before July 2026, decreasing to 11% in 2026-2027, and reaching 0% for deaths on or after July 2033. This directly affects individuals inheriting property from a sibling in Pennsylvania. The change is structured as a phased reduction in the tax rate over several years, with no tax applied after 2033.

Maddy summarySB 843, the "Do No Harm Act," prohibits healthcare providers in Pennsylvania from performing or prescribing certain medical procedures (including puberty blockers and hormones) on minors under 18 for the purpose of enabling them to live as a gender inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth. It specifically exempts procedures for congenital defects, medical emergencies, or ongoing treatments started before the law's effective date. The bill also bans insurers and government health programs from covering these procedures, imposes professional discipline and felony penalties for violations, and allows minors or their guardians to sue for damages within two years of reaching adulthood. It directly affects minors, healthcare providers, insurers, and government health programs.

Maddy summarySB 376 bans the installation or use of TikTok (or any app developed by ByteDance Limited) on state-owned electronic devices and state wireless networks in Pennsylvania. It requires state employees to remove such applications from devices within three months of the law taking effect, with exceptions for law enforcement, security, or risk mitigation activities. The law directly affects state employees using devices paid for with state funds or accessing state networks. It specifically targets TikTok and any future apps by ByteDance, not other social media platforms.

Maddy summarySB 83 increases allowable fees constables can charge for services in Pennsylvania, affecting both civil and criminal cases. Key changes include raising civil service fees (e.g., from $13 to $20 for serving documents) and criminal transport fees (e.g., from $17 to $25 per defendant), while maintaining exemptions for indigent defendants in criminal cases. The bill also specifies that counties must cover fees for indigent cases and clarifies reimbursement rates for travel expenses. These adjustments apply to all constables and deputy constables performing court-related duties under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summarySB 308 establishes a financial incentive program for Pennsylvania National Guard members serving in medical or health specialty roles. It provides monthly stipends ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on the officer's required education level (e.g., $1,000 for physicians/residents, $500 for public health officers), paid for up to 48 months or the first 36 months of service. The program covers specific roles including physicians, physician assistants, behavioral health officers, public health officers, nurses, and chaplains who meet credentialing requirements. Eligibility requires being a "member in good standing" and meeting federal and state licensing standards for their specialty. The bill also includes provisions for adjusting stipend amounts, recouping payments if requirements aren't met, and administrative funding.

Maddy summarySB 783 establishes "tourism improvement districts" (TIDs) in Pennsylvania counties, where participating hotels and tourism businesses pay special fees to fund local tourism activities. The bill creates "tourism improvement district management associations" (TIDMAs) to manage funds for marketing, events, destination improvements, and promotional programs that directly benefit these businesses. Counties must hold public hearings, collect fees (capped at 4% administrative cost), and ensure TID funding supplements existing tourism programs without reducing current county tourism spending. Businesses within a proposed TID can collectively object if 40% of total room inventory opposes the district, preventing its formation.

Maddy summarySB 810 amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to strengthen oversight of state regulations, particularly those with significant economic impact. It defines "economically significant regulations" as those costing over $1 million annually to the state, local governments, or private sector, requiring agencies to submit detailed cost estimates (via the Independent Fiscal Office) and hold public hearings for such rules. The bill adds specific timelines for legislative committee review (up to 14 days for "final-form" regulations) and mandates that committees must formally disapprove or approve regulations within this window before agencies can implement them. This directly affects state agencies drafting regulations, legislative committees, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, creating clearer procedures for reviewing high-cost rules.

Maddy summarySB 757 requires public employers in Pennsylvania to publicly post proposed collective bargaining agreements, including cost estimates, on their websites for at least two weeks before signing. It mandates that these agreements become public records accessible online within 48 hours of receipt. The law applies to most public employees (excluding elected officials, management staff, and police/fire unions under separate law) and makes agreements unenforceable if proper notice isn't provided. This aims to increase transparency around public sector pay, benefits, and working conditions.

Maddy summarySB 708 amends Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act to require health care facilities to notify the Attorney General before making significant changes. These "material changes" include mergers, acquisitions, or major sales of assets valued above specific monetary thresholds, such as $10 million for a single transaction. The bill establishes a waiting period, typically 45 days, after notification, during which the Attorney General can review the proposed transaction. It also grants the Attorney General the authority to request additional information and hold public hearings to gather input from interested parties.