Sen. Cris Dush

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 summarySenate Bill 102 amends Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas law regarding the distribution of fees collected from unconventional natural gas wells. The bill prohibits the state commission from distributing these fees to municipalities that maintain zoning or other ordinances that unreasonably limit or prohibit future development of unconventional natural gas wells. An ordinance is presumed unreasonable if it conflicts with or exceeds existing state development standards for such wells. If litigation challenges a municipality's ordinance on these grounds, its fee revenue will be placed into a restricted account until the legal dispute concludes.

Maddy summarySB 625 amends the Public School Code of 1949 regarding admission fees for school-sponsored activities. This bill requires public school entities, nonpublic schools, and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to accept cash as a form of payment for admission fees. While cash must be accepted, other payment methods may also be offered. The bill allows these entities to refuse cash payments in denominations that significantly exceed the admission fee.

Maddy summarySB 744 establishes a new requirement for correctional institutions in Pennsylvania. It mandates that overwatch towers at these facilities must be staffed by corrections officers during any outdoor movement of inmates. This rule applies unless an overwatch tower does not allow for supervision of inmates during such movements.

Maddy summarySR 107 is a commemorative resolution that congratulates The Pennsylvania State University wrestling team on winning its 13th National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Championship. It also extends congratulations to Pennsylvania residents and student athletes from Pennsylvania universities who competed and placed in the championship.

Maddy summarySR 111 is a procedural resolution that designates May 2025 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to increase public awareness of ALS and recognize its impact on patients and families, as well as ongoing research.

Maddy summarySB 729 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to modify sales and use tax filing requirements. The bill establishes an expiration date of October 1, 2025, for a provision allowing certain businesses to make estimated tax payments. This affects businesses with an annual sales tax liability between $25,000 and $100,000. These businesses can continue calculating their monthly estimated payments based on either 50% of the prior year's liability or 50% of the current month's liability until that date.

Maddy summarySB 306 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to revise how ballot questions are explained to voters. It requires the Attorney General to prepare a plain English statement for statewide ballot questions or constitutional amendments, outlining their purpose, limitations, and effects. The Secretary of the Commonwealth must then publish this statement, post it on the Department of State's website with details about its publication, and certify it to county election boards. County boards are responsible for publishing the statement in election notices and posting copies in voting rooms to inform the public.

Maddy summarySB 305 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law regarding the debarment or suspension of contractors from future government contracts. The bill expands the grounds for debarment to include unsatisfactory performance that occurred in *any state*, not just Pennsylvania. It allows state agencies to consider a contractor's demonstrated history of poor performance on contracts with federal, Commonwealth, or *other state* government agencies or public owners. This means a contractor's past performance across various jurisdictions can now be a factor in Pennsylvania's contract award decisions.

Maddy summarySR 70 is a resolution by the Senate to honor the life of Officer Andrew William Duarte, who died in the line of duty, and to extend condolences to his family.