Sen. Cris Dush

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 84 (SR 84) reaffirms Good Friday as an existing state holiday, consistent with current law. It also formally acknowledges the day's enduring significance to the Christian faith, citing its importance to the moral and spiritual life of the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySB 607 requires Pennsylvania gas stations to display clear labels on fuel dispensers showing the exact federal and state taxes charged for both gasoline and diesel fuel. Retailers must list six specific tax amounts: federal gasoline tax, state gasoline tax, federal diesel tax, state diesel tax, and their combined totals. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will design and maintain these labels at no cost to businesses, updating them when tax rates change. This law directly affects fuel retailers by mandating transparent disclosure of existing tax rates to consumers at the point of sale.

Maddy summarySB 615 adds a new tax exemption for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion chapters in Pennsylvania. The bill exempts their properties - including buildings, grounds, and social halls used for veterans' support activities - from county, municipal, and school property taxes, provided all income from these activities supports the organizations' charitable purposes. This change specifically applies to VFW and American Legion chapters founded and maintained through public or private charity. The exemption overrides other tax rules in the statute and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 631 requires Pennsylvania schools to obtain annual written consent from parents or guardians before providing virtual mental health services (such as online counseling or AI-based support) to students under 18. It mandates schools to create a clear consent form detailing the services offered, which must be signed each year. The law applies to all school entities, including public, charter, cyber, and private schools, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This policy directly affects students and parents by shifting decision-making authority for virtual mental health services from schools to families.

Maddy summarySB 557 amends Pennsylvania's statutory rules of construction to limit how state agencies interpret vague laws. It directly affects Commonwealth departments, agencies, boards, and commissions by prohibiting them from using ambiguous language in statutes to expand their own authority or justify expansive interpretations. The bill explicitly states that courts cannot defer to agency interpretations of unclear laws or allow agencies to claim implicit rulemaking power from ambiguity, applying this rule to all judicial reviews of agency actions under Pennsylvania law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment limiting Pennsylvania's participation in multi-state agreements (interstate compacts) to 10-year terms. It requires the state legislature to reauthorize such compacts before each general election occurring before the agreement's expiration, preventing automatic extensions. The amendment would change how Pennsylvania enters into long-term multi-state partnerships, ensuring periodic legislative review of these agreements. It does not alter existing compacts but sets a new framework for future ones.

Maddy summarySB 556 prohibits Pennsylvania government entities from creating or maintaining firearm ownership registries and bans payment processors from classifying gun retailers differently than general merchandise stores. It directly affects local governments, law enforcement, banks, and firearm sellers by preventing registry systems and requiring uniform payment classifications for gun retailers. The bill imposes penalties including third-degree felonies for registry violations and $2,500 administrative fines for payment classification violations. It does not change firearm ownership laws but targets administrative and financial practices related to gun sales. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary committee.

Maddy summarySB 591 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation to install dry hydrants (water access points for firefighters) when building, modifying, or rehabilitating bridges that cross water bodies. This applies only if the water source meets specific criteria: providing 250 gallons per minute for two hours during droughts, the hydrant is within 25 feet of a road, and within 800 feet of an occupied structure or historic site. The bill directly affects the state DOT and communities near bridges where hydrants are installed, aiming to improve fire response capabilities. It does not apply to existing bridges unless they undergo modification. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 589 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update physical education requirements for public school districts. It requires schools to align physical education curricula with state health and safety standards, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. School districts may allow students to satisfy physical education requirements through interscholastic athletics, but only if they adopt or update a specific policy, and this cannot replace the full academic standards for health and safety. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public school students and districts, with implementation starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

Maddy summarySB 603 requires commercial websites containing over one-third "material harmful to minors" (such as explicit sexual content or content lacking literary value for minors) to implement reasonable age verification before minors can access that content. It directly affects businesses operating such websites, mandating they use third-party verification methods without retaining users' personal data. The law exempts bona fide news organizations and news-gathering activities, and holds commercial entities liable for damages if minors access harmful content or if they improperly retain user data. Internet service providers are not held liable for simply hosting or connecting to such websites.