Sen. Cris Dush

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Pennsylvania calculates taxes on shares held by banks and trust companies, specifically regarding the treatment of United States government debt. It establishes that new rules for determining taxable amounts apply only to shares held after December 31, 2024, and taxes due after March 14, 2025. The legislation also ensures that these changes do not affect tax calculations or refunds for periods before those dates, preserving the previous legal standards for earlier years.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania bill updates state laws regarding video gaming to clarify who counts as a "gaming employee" and sets new staffing rules for casinos and other gaming venues. It requires these establishments to hire at least one trained gaming employee, though that person does not need to be physically present on the premises while games are running. The law also mandates that this employee complete specific training on compulsive and problem gambling and outlines penalties, including fines or license suspension, for venues that fail to meet these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to update requirements for individuals working in long-term care facilities. It allows students and graduates of nursing programs that meet specific standards to qualify as nurse aides if they pass a competency exam, while also clarifying that training must be established by a facility rather than just enrolled in by an individual. The legislation sets different effective dates for various new sections, with some provisions taking effect in 30 days, others in 60 days, and the remainder in one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Pennsylvania public schools award academic credit for students who work at congregate care facilities. It lowers the required number of work hours from 350 to 250 and allows schools to use existing programs to manage these credits instead of creating new ones. The law also clarifies that schools must approve each student's application and ensure all requirements are met before granting the credit. Additionally, the bill updates terminology to refer to "school districts" rather than "public schools" in specific sections.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Commonwealth Zero-Based Budgeting Act, requires Pennsylvania state agencies to justify every dollar of their spending rather than simply adjusting previous year's budgets. Under the new rules, the Secretary of the Budget must review all government programs at least once every five years, starting with about one-fifth of the budget annually beginning in 2024. Agencies must submit detailed plans explaining why each program exists, how much it costs to maintain current or minimum service levels, and the potential impact if the program were cut. While most departments are subject to this review, specific educational functions like class sizes, school curricula, and direct classroom services are exempt from the process. The law aims to ensure that public funds are allocated based on clear, defensible purposes rather than historical spending habits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to clarify rules for townships and their managers. It protects township officers from financial penalties if they act in good faith based on official legal opinions, provided those opinions were not obtained under duress or through collusion. The legislation also allows townships to create or abolish the office of township manager and permits the board of supervisors to hire individuals, partnerships, or corporations for this role. Under the new provisions, township managers can be appointed for fixed terms with potential severance pay, though their employment cannot be guaranteed beyond the contract period. Finally, the bill clarifies that a township manager cannot hold the offices of supervisor, auditor, or police officer simultaneously.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to prohibit online platforms from displaying prices that hide mandatory fees until after a consumer clicks to purchase. It specifically targets event ticket, lodging, and food delivery platforms by requiring them to prominently show the total cost, including taxes and non-variable mandatory charges, before the transaction is finalized. The legislation defines these platforms to include sites for booking hotels, renting temporary lodging, and selling or reselling event tickets, while explicitly exempting government-imposed taxes and fees. Additionally, the law clarifies that media outlets acting in good faith without knowledge of deceptive content are not subject to these new restrictions. The changes will not take effect until 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates The Pennsylvania State University wrestling team on winning its 12th NCAA Division I Championship and honors Pennsylvania residents who placed at the national tournament. The bill formally recognizes the team's historic performance, including setting a record for points scored and producing multiple All-Americans, as well as celebrating specific individual achievements by wrestlers Levi Haines, Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks, and Greg Kerkvliet. It also extends congratulations to the coaching staff and wishes continued success to the university's wrestling program and other Pennsylvania-based athletes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of May 5 through 11, 2024, as "Jewish Day Schools Week" throughout Pennsylvania. The measure aims to recognize the state's 30 Jewish day schools and the approximately 440,000 people of Jewish faith or ancestry who rely on them for education and community support. By officially naming this time period, the bill expresses appreciation for the institutions' role in preserving culture and language while highlighting their contributions to society. The resolution does not alter laws or budgets but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the schools' importance to the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month within the state of Pennsylvania. The measure aims to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the state's communities and institutions. By adopting this designation, the Senate encourages Pennsylvanians to learn about and celebrate Jewish heritage during the month of May.