Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill

Maddy summarySB 98 establishes rules for museums in Pennsylvania handling property loaned to them but not claimed by lenders for extended periods. It requires museums to maintain detailed records of loans (including lender contact info and property descriptions) and mandates lenders to update their contact details. If a lender hasn’t contacted a museum for 20 years (for indefinite loans) or five years after a fixed loan period ends, museums may terminate the loan and, after following specific notice procedures, claim title to the property. The law aims to resolve ownership disputes, reduce museum storage costs for unclaimed items, and ensure fair responsibility between museums and lenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor is elected. It would require voters to cast a single ballot for both Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the same election, with the Governor candidate selecting their Lieutenant Governor running mate before the election. The Lieutenant Governor would serve as Senate President with a tie-breaking vote (except on final bill passages). As a constitutional amendment, this change would need voter approval at the next general election following its passage by the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 85 amends Pennsylvania's Human Services Code to standardize the monthly distribution of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for recipients. It requires county assistance offices to implement a uniform 20-day distribution schedule within one year, using the first letter of a recipient's last name to determine their specific benefit date. This ensures consistency across all counties, preventing changes to distribution dates if a recipient moves within Pennsylvania. The bill also allows for a temporary tiered schedule to avoid hardships during the transition to the new system.

Maddy summarySB 94 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how income is defined for senior citizens' property tax and rent rebate eligibility. It specifically allows seniors who were eligible for the rebate as of December 31, 2012, to retain their eligibility if their household income exceeds the limit solely due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, but this exception expires on December 31, 2016. The bill updates the definition of "income" to include specific rules for counting Social Security benefits, excluding Medicare, and applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This directly affects low-income seniors in Pennsylvania who rely on these rebates.

Maddy summarySB 134 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit Pennsylvania's annual state spending. It would require total state spending (excluding federal funds) to stay near the previous year's level, adjusted for either personal income growth or inflation plus population change. Exceptions allowing higher spending include emergencies (approved by a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers) or other cases with advance gubernatorial request and a two-thirds legislative vote. This amendment directly affects all state budget decisions and would require voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summarySB 145 amends Pennsylvania's Public Official Compensation Law to adjust how state legislators' salaries are calculated. It establishes that members of the General Assembly and their officers/leaders receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland area. The bill specifically blocks COLA increases for the 2020-2021 period and allows legislators to opt out of receiving a COLA by notifying the Chief Clerk 10 days before the adjustment date. This directly affects all current and future Pennsylvania legislators by altering their salary adjustment mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 66 amends Pennsylvania's ethics laws to clarify restrictions on cash gifts for public officials and employees. It defines "cash gift" broadly to include money, gift cards, prepaid cards, and virtual currency, while excluding certain common transactions like family gifts or public contests. The bill prohibits officials from accepting cash gifts from lobbyists or people seeking official action, with penalties of up to $1,000 for gifts under $250 (misdemeanor) or $10,000 plus potential imprisonment for $250+ gifts (felony). These changes directly affect Pennsylvania public officials and employees who may receive such gifts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 9), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Virginia "Ginny" Thornburgh on her 85th birthday and recognizes her decades of advocacy work supporting people with disabilities. The resolution highlights her roles as a former Pennsylvania First Lady, her leadership with disability-focused organizations, her co-authorship of advocacy publications, and her personal connection to disability advocacy through her son. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes January 27, 2025, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it formally acknowledges the UN-established date honoring Holocaust victims and promoting education about the genocide. The resolution references the historical context of the Holocaust and the UN's 2005 designation of January 27 as a day to honor victims and combat hatred. It serves as a commemorative gesture by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Maddy summarySB 93 requires that any revenue generated from an expansion of gaming (such as new casino locations or types of gaming) in Pennsylvania after the bill's effective date be deposited into the Property Tax Relief Fund. The bill directs the Secretary of Revenue to determine if gaming expansion has occurred and publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin detailing the expansion. This policy change directly affects how the state handles new gaming revenue, redirecting it to a specific fund used for property tax relief. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.