Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state Tax Reform Code to modify various tax rules, including sales tax exclusions, personal income tax definitions, and corporate tax deductions. Key changes include allowing a deduction for student loan interest up to $2,500, exempting certain government and railway compensation related to the East Palestine train derailment from income tax, and creating new tax credits for employer contributions to 529 savings accounts and child care expenses. The legislation also establishes a $50 million annual transfer from personal income tax proceeds to the Clean Streams Fund and expands deductions for medical cannabis businesses. Additionally, it updates definitions and procedures for several existing tax incentive programs related to historic preservation, manufacturing, and city revitalization.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's insurance laws to require health insurance policies to cover medically necessary telemedicine services provided by participating network providers. It explicitly prohibits insurers from denying coverage or reimbursement solely because a service is delivered remotely via video, audio, or asynchronous methods. The legislation also prevents contracts from conditioning reimbursement on the use of specific proprietary technology or vendors, ensuring providers can use various telemedicine tools. By defining terms like telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, the law standardizes how these services are treated under existing insurance plans and managed care programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's fishing and hunting license laws to offer special discounts to volunteer firefighters. It allows eligible volunteer firefighters to purchase an annual resident fishing license for just one dollar if they provide proof of their service over the past year. Additionally, the legislation creates a new category of hunting licenses for volunteer firefighters, also priced at one dollar, while maintaining standard resident hunting license exemptions. These changes apply to anyone who has served as a volunteer firefighter in good standing within the state for at least twelve months.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program to help fund the development of regional plans and business sites within the state. It authorizes the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority to issue up to $500 million in bonds to support projects that reduce development risks for municipalities, economic development organizations, and other eligible entities. The funds can be used for creating comprehensive real estate plans, preparing industrial or nonindustrial sites for business relocation or expansion, and other projects deemed eligible by the Department of Community and Economic Development. All bond payments must be covered by specific pledged revenues rather than general state funds, ensuring the bonds do not create a direct debt obligation for the Commonwealth.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on Pennsylvania Route 72 in Swatara Township as the Senator David J. Arnold, Jr., Memorial Bridge to honor his service. The legislation officially names the structure after the late state senator, who previously served as Lebanon County's district attorney and later as a state senator. To implement this change, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is required to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for drivers traveling in both directions. The act will become effective 60 days after being signed into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update rules for the rural jobs and investment tax credit program. It establishes two categories of investment authority based on when they were issued and sets specific spending limits of $50 million for each category. The legislation also defines what counts as a rural growth investment, clarifies how businesses can claim tax credits over several years, and adds stricter limits on how much a single rural business can receive to prevent concentration of funds.
Maddy summaryThis law creates two new funds to support advanced manufacturing projects by partnering with state institutions. It requires any construction work funded by these grants or loans to pay workers at least the prevailing wage and benefits determined by the Department of Labor and Industry. Additionally, the bill mandates that recipients make a good faith effort to hire workers from the local labor market for construction, demolition, and repair tasks. These requirements apply to all contractors and subcontractors involved in the projects, ensuring fair pay and local employment opportunities.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania laws to establish a specific logo design for veteran-owned small businesses. It creates a new section within the military affairs statutes to define and regulate this official business logotype. The legislation also sets up a nonprofit membership association to manage the program and imposes penalties for non-compliance with the new requirements. These changes directly affect businesses owned by veterans and the organizations that support them.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act to impose stricter rules on pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmacies that work with them. The legislation prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to accept lower reimbursement rates to join their networks, banning retroactive money take-backs, and outlawing hidden fees or practices that steer patients toward specific pharmacies solely for cost savings. Additionally, it requires PBMs to respond to pharmacy network requests within 30 days, mandates quarterly reporting on drug rebates, and tasks a state department with regulating PBMs and ensuring pharmacies are reimbursed at least the cost of the drugs they dispense.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Rural Population Revitalization Commission to address population shifts and demographic changes in Pennsylvania's rural areas. The commission will consist of members appointed by the Governor, state legislators, and representatives from various organizations including universities, farm bureaus, and county associations. Its primary duties include reviewing population trends, holding public hearings, and issuing biennial reports with recommendations on issues such as education, healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities. Additionally, the bill updates the governing board of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania by specifying its composition to include representatives from both political parties and higher education institutions.