Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill

Maddy summarySB 736 amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, primarily focusing on fees and charges for State parks. The bill mandates that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provide a 15% discount on all State park fees, admissions, and charges for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and their immediate family members. It also clarifies that DCNR cannot impose new general parking or admission fees unless they existed prior to 1995, while allowing for fees on specific services or facilities. All fees collected from State parks must be used for the acquisition, maintenance, operation, or administration of the State park system.

Maddy summarySB 226 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law by changing the definition of "State-affiliated entity." Specifically, it removes the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association from this definition. This means these two organizations would no longer be classified as "State-affiliated entities" under the law, which could affect public access to their records. The bill directly impacts these organizations and individuals seeking information from them under the Right-to-Know Law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 742 would allow Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to contract with a private vendor for the design, marketing, and sale of custom registration plates. Vehicle owners would be able to purchase these vendor-designed plates online for motorcycles, passenger cars, or light trucks. The bill establishes fees for these plates, with a portion of the revenue supporting the Pennsylvania State Police Traffic Safety Enhancement Restricted Account. This account would fund equipment and supplies for the Pennsylvania State Police to enhance traffic safety efforts. PennDOT would be responsible for approving plate designs to ensure they meet reflectivity and readability standards.

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 summarySenate Resolution 109 recognizes the week of May 9 through 18, 2025, as "Go Public Garden Days" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to highlight the value of public gardens, which include botanical gardens, arboreta, and parks, and encourages residents to visit and engage with these horticultural organizations across the Commonwealth.

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 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 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.