Sen. Cris Dush

Maddy summarySB 352 updates Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by adding a definition for "flood-related hazard" (e.g., debris or obstructions that increase flood risks to life or property). It clarifies which dams must comply with safety regulations, specifying that dams exceeding 15 feet in depth or 50 acre-feet in water storage capacity - whether on watercourses or used for non-water fluids - are covered. The bill explicitly excludes routine flood mitigation on farms under the Right-to-Farm Law. This amendment ensures the law applies consistently to significant dams and hazards while maintaining existing agricultural exemptions.

Maddy summarySB 313 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to strengthen requirements for electronic voting systems. It mandates pre-election logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment to ensure votes are tabulated correctly, including verifying contest orders, ballot printing, and scanner functionality. The bill also requires county election boards to preprint emergency paper ballots equal to at least 20% of registered voters per election district if electronic systems fail. These provisions directly affect county election boards and polling places, with penalties for falsifying documentation related to testing.

Maddy summarySB 336 prohibits solar energy facilities on Pennsylvania agricultural land with high-quality soil (Class 1 or 2) and requires landowners to seek soil classification certification from the Department of Agriculture before leasing land for solar projects. The bill creates a tax credit covering up to 30% of a solar project’s cost (3¢ per kilowatt-hour) for facilities on eligible sites like brownfields, abandoned mines, capped landfills, warehouse rooftops, or parking canopies, with an annual $5 million cap on credits. It excludes small solar projects under 2 megawatts, pre-existing agreements, and agricultural land where low-quality soil makes up only a small portion of the parcel. The tax credit application process requires annual submission by February 1 and approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 235 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to streamline the approval process for city revitalization zones. Starting in 2026, the Department of Community and Economic Development must approve two new revitalization zones each calendar year. This directly affects cities seeking to establish these zones, which typically offer tax incentives to encourage development in designated areas. The bill adds a specific annual approval requirement to the existing tax code, effective 60 days after enactment. It does not change tax rates or create new financial obligations but establishes a predictable timeline for zone expansions.

Maddy summarySB 324 prohibits distributing unofficial mail-in ballot forms to Pennsylvania voters. It specifically targets documents that mimic official election materials (like ballot applications or ballots not issued by election officials) but includes exceptions for clear, informational materials that don't include return addresses, clearly label themselves as "unofficial," and avoid mimicking official stationery. Violating this law is a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $500 to $2,500. The bill directly affects individuals or groups distributing such materials, ensuring only official forms are used for mail-in voting.

Maddy summarySB 353 designates March 13 as K9 Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, recognizing military working dogs' service. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging Pennsylvanians to observe this day, commemorating the date the U.S. military began actively recruiting canine forces in 1942. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents through the Governor's official observance. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, with no additional funding or program requirements.

Maddy summarySB 277 proposes a constitutional amendment to change judicial tenure in Pennsylvania. It would set a 10-year term for most judges (including Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Court justices) and a six-year term for Philadelphia municipal judges and justices of the peace. The amendment also establishes a retention election process where voters decide annually whether to keep judges in office, and limits appellate judges to two terms. This applies to all Pennsylvania judges holding elected or appointed judicial positions.

Maddy summarySB 267 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to add specific exemptions from standard building requirements. It directly affects homeowners, event organizers, and small contractors by exempting certain temporary structures (like fair booths under 1,600 sq ft for under 30 days), small decks attached to homes, accessory structures under 200 sq ft, and patio covers meeting 2009 IBC standards. The bill clarifies that these structures are not subject to the full construction code enforcement. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Pennsylvania. It formally recognizes the importance of career and technical education programs for students and the workforce, without creating new laws or altering existing policies. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about these programs, which serve over 68,000 students statewide and connect them to in-demand careers.

Maddy summarySB 251 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution, creating a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits against the Commonwealth. It directly affects individuals who experienced abuse as children and were previously barred by expired statutes of limitations, damage caps, or government immunity. The amendment overrides these legal barriers, allowing such cases to be filed within two years of the amendment's effective date, without being blocked by standard time limits or immunity protections. This change applies only to childhood sexual abuse claims arising before the amendment takes effect.