Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summarySenate Bill 670 amends the Housing Authorities Law to establish new procedures for public housing applicants with criminal records and expands requirements for landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It creates Public Housing Safety Committees, comprising the Authority's Executive Director, District Attorney, and President Judge, to review applicants with certain criminal offenses on a case-by-case basis, evaluating potential threats to resident safety. The bill also broadens requirements for all Housing Authorities (previously limited to first-class cities) to ensure compliance with federal criminal activity rules for tenants and to deny Housing Choice Voucher Program approval to landlords with delinquent property taxes. Additionally, it requires law enforcement agencies to provide background checks to landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program upon request.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Crimes and Offenses code to establish new criminal offenses related to critical infrastructure facilities. It creates penalties for individuals who trespass without permission on these properties, with more severe consequences for those who intend to damage or disrupt operations. The legislation also makes willful damage or tampering with equipment at these facilities a felony. Additionally, it allows owners of critical infrastructure facilities to pursue civil lawsuits against individuals arrested or convicted of these offenses for damages incurred. "Critical infrastructure facilities" are broadly defined to include essential services such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and natural gas pipelines, provided they are secured or clearly marked.

Maddy summarySB 687 amends Pennsylvania's procurement laws to update how public construction projects are managed by government agencies and State-related institutions. The bill establishes a new framework, Chapter 32, which defines and mandates the use of specific "project delivery methods," such as design-build or construction management at-risk, for public building projects costing over $4,000. It repeals and replaces the older "Separations Act" of 1913, consolidating the rules for public construction procurement. This aims to standardize and modernize the options available for project delivery in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 688 amends Pennsylvania's County Code to establish rules for county commissioners' voting on certain appointments. The bill prohibits a county commissioner from voting on the appointment of members to boards or authorities that promote county economic development. This restriction applies if an immediate family member of the commissioner is an executive-level employee of such a body, or works for an entity receiving a grant, loan, or contract from it. The bill defines "immediate family" as a parent, spouse, child, brother, or sister, and mandates abstention from voting in these circumstances.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 90 encourages initiatives that support individuals based on their character and merit in public service and governance. It affirms a commitment to opportunity based on individual contributions and encourages the reevaluation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs perceived to promote division.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 674 establishes the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program, to be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development. This program offers competitive grants to eligible entities, such as municipalities, universities, private businesses, and nonprofits. The grants, capped at $500,000, are intended to fund the construction, renovation, utility and broadband improvements, or equipment purchases for coworking and innovation centers in rural counties and municipalities. These centers aim to provide infrastructure and equipment for individuals engaged in online work. Grant recipients must provide matching funds and agree to keep the centers operational for a specified number of years.

Maddy summarySB 694 amends Pennsylvania law concerning fees for licenses to carry firearms. The bill establishes a waiver for these fees for certain applicants. Specifically, it waives the fees for individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces or who are honorably discharged veterans.

Maddy summarySB 691 establishes the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program provides grants to local agencies, known as single county authorities, to offer comprehensive nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment to offenders with substance use disorders. Eligible providers will assess offenders receiving various court-imposed sentences for drug-related offenses and offer individualized treatment plans, including FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication and counseling. The bill also allows courts to order substance use disorder assessments for these offenders and updates provisions related to their supervision by probation and parole.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 690 amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to introduce new security requirements for ballots used in elections. The bill mandates that vendors supplying ballot paper to election officials must meet specific ISO certifications. It details numerous antifraud measures for ballots, including unique watermarks, secure holographic foils, custom security background designs, and various types of security inks. Additionally, ballots would feature a serialized QR code for voter information and ballot tracking, and voters would receive a perforated paper receipt containing ballot identification numbers. These changes are set to apply to elections held on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 93 designates May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. This resolution aims to promote awareness among all road users about safely sharing the road with motorcyclists and to encourage motorcycle safety practices.