Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summarySB 975 requires boroughs and cities in Pennsylvania to complete, publish, and file annual financial reports by June 30 each year. It mandates that auditors publish concise financial summaries (showing assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses) in a local newspaper at least 10 days before the annual meeting, and submit full reports to the Department of Community and Economic Development. Municipal officials who fail to meet these deadlines face fines of $5 per day, with fines going to the state. The bill tightens existing reporting rules for local government financial transparency without changing tax policies or service provisions.

Maddy summarySB 686 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to make it a felony to intentionally alter, destroy, conceal, or remove public records after someone has requested them under the law. It directly affects government employees who handle public records, targeting actions like hiding documents during active requests or with fraudulent intent. Previously, such tampering was a misdemeanor, but this bill upgrades penalties to a third-degree felony when records are involved in an ongoing request or appeal. The law aims to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of public records during official inquiries.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 203) designates November 2025 as "Lung Cancer Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically recognizes ongoing improvements in lung cancer detection, treatment access, and survival rates within the state, as documented in the American Lung Association's 2025 report. The resolution encourages Pennsylvania residents to learn more about lung cancer detection and treatment options but does not create new laws or funding. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect on policy or resources.

Maddy summarySB 912 expands Pennsylvania's DNA collection requirements to include individuals convicted of or adjudicated for criminal homicide, felony sex offenses, and certain other specified offenses (like specific misdemeanors such as simple assault or indecent exposure). It establishes a statewide DNA database under the State Police to store forensic profiles from these individuals, as well as DNA from missing persons and unidentified decedents. The bill mandates annual reports tracking demographic data, costs, and processing times for DNA samples, and includes provisions for expunging DNA records. It directly affects people convicted of covered offenses by requiring DNA samples upon conviction or adjudication, with samples stored in the state database for forensic use.

Maddy summarySB 1096 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle laws to allocate supplemental state funding specifically for rural infrastructure projects, such as road and bridge repairs. This bill directly affects rural communities and local governments in Pennsylvania that maintain infrastructure in less populated areas. The key mechanism provides new state funds within the existing transportation budget framework, targeting improvements to aging rural roads and bridges. The bill does not change vehicle regulations but adds dedicated resources for infrastructure maintenance in rural regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Pennsylvania's oil and gas fee structure to redirect 40% of remaining revenue from unconventional gas well fees (after 2011) into the Marcellus Legacy Fund. Specifically, 25% of this portion will fund county bridge repairs through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account. Counties and municipalities can use these funds to repair deteriorated bridges, regardless of federal aid eligibility, by submitting approved repair plans. The funds are distributed proportionally based on county population, and first- or second-class counties may also use them for public transportation authority bridges. This changes how oil and gas fee revenue is allocated to support local infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's MCare Act to improve care for veterans by requiring medical professionals to address veteran-specific health conditions. It defines "veteran-related illness" to include conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and suicide linked to military service. Physicians must complete three hours of training on these illnesses for license renewal, and new license applicants must satisfy curricula covering veteran-related illnesses as part of initial licensure requirements. The changes apply directly to physicians seeking or maintaining medical licenses in Pennsylvania.

Maddy summarySB 1110 (Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1110) creates special vehicle license plates for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or frequent occupants of vehicles driven by them. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to design plates featuring "Autistic/Neurodivergent" at the bottom within 60 days, with applications needing a $14 fee (plus registration) and a physician's sworn statement confirming the diagnosis. These plates are limited to passenger vehicles or trucks under 14,000 pounds gross weight and carry the same legal validity as standard plates. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 1106 amends Pennsylvania's PA EDGE tax credit program to clarify eligibility for companies building specific facilities. It defines a "project facility" as either a petrochemical or fertilizer plant using dry natural gas with a $400 million minimum investment or a power generation facility that adds to the grid. To qualify, a company must invest $400 million, create 800 new permanent jobs, pay prevailing wages, and make good-faith efforts to recruit local workers during construction. The tax credits will apply to dry natural gas purchases from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2052, expiring at the end of 2052.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 201) designates three specific times for symbolic bell ringing: the day before Thanksgiving, the Sunday after Christmas, and New Year's Day at 6 p.m. for five minutes. It calls for voluntary bell ringing across Pennsylvania as a gesture of "thanks, praise and unity" during these times. The resolution has no legal effect or requirements - it is purely ceremonial and does not impose obligations on any individuals, organizations, or government entities. It serves as a symbolic invitation for communities to participate in a shared moment of reflection.