Sen. Dawn Keefer

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act to require state agencies to submit additional documentation when proposing new regulations. Specifically, if a proposed rule adopts guidance from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum, the agency must provide a statement explaining how that guidance applies to the state and include detailed data supporting its relevance. The bill also places the burden of proof on the agency to demonstrate that any data used is acceptable. These requirements aim to increase transparency and scrutiny for international regulatory influences within the state's rulemaking process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Public School Employees' Retirement Board and the State Employees' Retirement Board to livestream their public meetings and post unedited video and written records online for at least three years. It also clarifies that sensitive investment information, such as details about alternative investments, will remain confidential to protect financial interests but will eventually become public once the risk of competitive harm or negative impact on investment value no longer exists. Additionally, the legislation mandates that specific basic details about alternative investment vehicles, including the manager's identity and the amount of money committed, must always be accessible to the public. These changes aim to increase transparency in how the boards manage records and conduct business while safeguarding sensitive financial data.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's legal rules to clarify how courts should determine the intent behind state laws when the wording is unclear. It specifically instructs judges to consider official interpretations provided by the General Assembly and administrative agencies as evidence of legislative intent. By codifying this approach, the legislation aims to ensure that the original purpose of statutes is respected during legal disputes. The changes apply immediately to all future cases involving statutory interpretation in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law to explicitly permit permit holders to sell and manufacture dairy products labeled as containing raw milk. It achieves this by adding a new provision to the existing statute that overrides previous restrictions on such sales, while simultaneously removing a conflicting administrative regulation. The law applies directly to dairy producers and sellers who currently hold valid permits to sell milk in the state. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania law to allow stormwater management authorities to set reasonable and uniform rates based on property characteristics. These rates can include fees for installing and maintaining best management practices that are approved and inspected by the authority. Additionally, the bill permits agricultural operations to use best management practices approved by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or the State Conservation Commission when calculating these fees. The changes apply specifically to municipal authorities responsible for stormwater planning, management, and implementation. The legislation will take effect 60 days after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Pennsylvania second-class townships to charge fees to fund the construction, maintenance, and operation of storm water management systems. The fees can be based on the properties that benefit from these facilities but must not exceed the minimum amounts required by federal and state environmental laws. Townships are required to offer exemptions or credits to property owners who install and maintain approved storm water facilities, including those following best management practices for normal agricultural operations. The legislation takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.