Sen. Tracy Pennycuick

Maddy summarySB 809 amends Pennsylvania's law to clarify that disabled veterans must have been honorably discharged "for service in any war or armed conflict" to qualify for the real estate tax exemption on their principal residence. This change directly affects veterans seeking the existing tax exemption for their primary home, including the land it sits on. The key provision updates the eligibility requirement in Section 8902(a)(1) of Title 51 to specify the discharge reason tied to military service in conflict. The bill does not create new benefits but refines the existing exemption's criteria. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 765 updates Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to allow current liquor license holders (like restaurants and retail stores) to sell malt or brewed beverages for off-premises consumption through connected business spaces. It permits using registers in adjacent areas within the same building (under 11,000 sq ft) if they meet specific rules: proper signage, staff training, age verification via scan devices for customers under 35, and prior notice to the Liquor Board. The bill also clarifies that wine expanded permit holders can sell wine in connected areas with similar requirements, including mandatory age checks and sales conducted through registered staff. These changes apply only to existing license holders expanding operations within physically connected spaces, not to new license types.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SR 112 is a resolution petitioning Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention focused solely on three specific amendments: imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and restricting terms for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution explicitly prohibits the convention from considering changes to the Bill of Rights and includes detailed instructions to ensure it stays within these boundaries. It also specifies that Pennsylvania's delegates will be chosen by the state legislature and bound to oppose any proposals outside the designated topics. This is a procedural request to Congress, not a law, and does not directly affect any residents or entities.

Maddy summarySB 759 requires all Pennsylvania public school buildings to install certified point-of-use filters on drinking water outlets by January 1, 2027, replacing older fountains without lead-reducing filters at a rate of at least one per 100 students/staff. It creates the Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund, providing up to $10 million annually for three years to help schools cover installation and replacement costs, with priority for pre-2014 buildings and those serving prekindergarten students. Schools must maintain filter schedules, post lead-risk information online, and report progress to state agencies, while new outlets must meet strict lead-leaching standards. The bill directly affects all public K-12 school entities in Pennsylvania, aiming to reduce lead exposure in drinking water.

Maddy summarySB 760 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private school buildings to test for radon gas starting in the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter, schools must implement mitigation (like sealing foundations or installing vents) and retest until levels drop below that threshold. New schools must use radon-resistant construction techniques, and all testing/mitigation must be performed by certified professionals following specific standards. Results must be reported to school boards, parents' groups, teachers' unions, and state agencies within 60 days.

Maddy summarySB 447 requires health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover annual prostate cancer screenings with no out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40+ who are high-risk. High-risk status includes genetic factors, family history of prostate cancer (a first-degree relative diagnosed), or physician determination of medical need. The law mandates coverage for screenings like PSA tests and digital rectal exams, applying to policies filed or renewed 180 days after the law takes effect. It directly affects insured men meeting these criteria and insurance companies offering health coverage in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 736 amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, primarily focusing on fees and charges for State parks. The bill mandates that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provide a 15% discount on all State park fees, admissions, and charges for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and their immediate family members. It also clarifies that DCNR cannot impose new general parking or admission fees unless they existed prior to 1995, while allowing for fees on specific services or facilities. All fees collected from State parks must be used for the acquisition, maintenance, operation, or administration of the State park system.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 310 mandates that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, high school students in Pennsylvania's public, nonpublic, and private schools must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating. Students or their parents/legal guardians can choose to opt out of filing the FAFSA by submitting a state-developed form to their school. Schools are responsible for providing this opt-out form and may exempt students if they cannot be reached and no FAFSA or opt-out form is submitted. The bill clarifies that schools do not require personal financial information from students or families, and any inadvertently obtained information is not a public record.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 597 amends Pennsylvania's transportation laws, primarily affecting local transportation organizations and companies that provide public and community transit services. The bill revises and adds definitions for various terms, including "shared ride service," "community transportation system," and introduces classifications for transit entities based on their size and service area. It also modifies rules for the transportation fund, application and approval processes for financial assistance, and the administration of different public transportation programs. Key procedural changes include establishing small purchase procedures and repealing provisions related to the evaluation of private investment opportunities.

Maddy summarySB 732 amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act, updating provisions related to medical marijuana use in the workplace for certified patients, employers, and job applicants. The bill introduces specific definitions for "impaired," "under the influence," and "safety-sensitive positions" to clarify employment standards. It removes some prior blanket prohibitions on patients performing certain duties while under the influence and instead focuses on defined impairment and drug testing. Employers are permitted to require drug tests for safety-sensitive roles and make employment decisions based on test results or refusal to test.