Sen. Tim Kearney

Maddy summarySenate Bill 753 establishes the Put Down Roots PA Pilot Program, to be administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This program offers student loan relief grants to eligible first-time homebuyers in Pennsylvania. To qualify, individuals must purchase a home as their primary residence, have never owned a home in the Commonwealth before, agree to reside there for at least three years, and have an annual household income under $200,000. Grants can be awarded up to $40,000, but cannot exceed the individual's student loan debt or 15% of the home's purchase price. These grant awards are also exempt from state income tax.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 106 is a commemorative resolution that honors the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles for winning Super Bowl LIX and recognizes them as one of the greatest football teams to represent the Commonwealth. This resolution was introduced and adopted on May 7, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 726 amends Pennsylvania's open meetings law for the General Assembly. This bill requires the State Senate and House of Representatives to record and post all public committee meetings and hearings where bills are considered or testimony is taken. These recordings must be made available on the General Assembly's publicly accessible website. Additionally, when technically feasible, these meetings must be live-streamed online, increasing public access to legislative proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 710 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act. This bill directly affects public employers and their employees who are participating in a strike. Its key provision prohibits public employers from discontinuing health care benefits for public employees during the period they are engaged in a strike. This change ensures the continuation of health coverage for public sector workers during labor disputes.

Maddy summarySB 709, known as the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, mandates that all health facilities in Pennsylvania establish violence prevention committees. These committees, comprised of both management and non-managerial employees, are responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing written workplace violence prevention programs, and providing employee training. The bill also requires employees to report incidents of workplace violence and prohibits retaliation against those who report. The Department of Labor and Industry is granted powers and duties related to these requirements, and the bill imposes fines for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 103 aims to raise awareness for apraxia in Pennsylvania, a neurological speech disorder that makes it difficult for children and adults to produce speech sounds. The resolution seeks to highlight the importance of early intervention and strong support systems for those diagnosed with apraxia, while also emphasizing the need for further research into the condition.

Maddy summarySB 651 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish "Workers' rights." This amendment would grant employees the fundamental right to organize and collectively bargain through representatives of their choice regarding wages, hours, working conditions, and workplace safety. It specifies that no law can diminish these rights, including those that prohibit agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment. If passed by the General Assembly twice, this proposed amendment would then be put before Pennsylvania voters for approval.

Maddy summarySB 400 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to permit "unenrolled electors" to vote in primary elections. An unenrolled elector is defined as a registered voter who has not selected a political party affiliation. The bill establishes a procedure where these electors can choose which political party's primary ballot they wish to cast at the polling place, without affecting their unenrolled status for future elections. It also directs state and county election officials to provide guidance, update voter registration materials, and modify election systems to facilitate this change.

Maddy summarySB 695 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to change how businesses file sales and use tax returns. Starting January 1, 2026, it modifies filing frequencies for businesses based on their previous year's tax liability. Businesses with $1,200 or less in fourth-quarter tax liability will file annually, while those with liability between $1,200 and $25,000 will file quarterly. Existing monthly and advance payment schedules for businesses with higher tax liabilities will continue to apply.

Maddy summarySR 83 is a resolution from the Pennsylvania Senate urging the U.S. Congress to adopt three specific federal bills: H.R. 1876, H.R. 1877, and S. 770. These bills are aimed at keeping Social Security field offices open, protecting Americans' Social Security data, and expanding Social Security benefits. The resolution also expresses strong opposition to federal cuts to Social Security benefits and the Social Security Administration's plans to close local offices and reduce staff, advocating for robust staffing and local facilities to serve beneficiaries.