Sen. Pat Stefano

Maddy summarySB 365 designates a specific segment of U.S. Route 15 in Snyder County (from the U.S. Routes 11/15/522 interchange near Selinsgrove to the U.S. Route 15/PA Route 147 interchange near Winfield) as the "Joseph McGranaghan Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the highway, honoring Joseph McGranaghan's service as a Shamokin Dam Borough councilman, mayor, and community leader. This is a ceremonial designation with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 332 amends Pennsylvania's Election Code to change the date of the general primary election in presidential election years. Currently, the primary is held on the third Tuesday of March in such years, but this bill would move it to the fourth Tuesday of April. This change applies to general primaries starting in 2028 and affects how voters select candidates for statewide offices and the presidency. The bill directly impacts election scheduling for voters, candidates, and officials by altering the timing of primary elections.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 17-23, 2025, as "THON Week" in Pennsylvania to honor Penn State student volunteers involved in the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. It recognizes their work supporting pediatric cancer research and patient care through the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The resolution does not create new laws or alter funding; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the event's mission and impact. THON, a student-run philanthropy, has raised over $236 million since 1977 for childhood cancer support.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new limits on damages in lawsuits against Pennsylvania state and local governments. For state government cases, it caps non-death/disfigurement damages at $250,000 per plaintiff or $1 million total, with higher caps ($1 million per plaintiff or $2 million total) for permanent dismemberment or death. For local governments, it sets a $500,000 total cap (except for higher caps in dismemberment/death cases). It also restricts pain and suffering claims to cases where medical/dental expenses exceed $10,000 for permanent injuries. The changes apply to all claims arising on or after the effective date (60 days after enactment).

Maddy summarySB 359 amends Pennsylvania's State Highway Law to require the state to maintain all state highways within boroughs and incorporated towns (including smaller municipalities), funding these improvements from the Commonwealth. It specifically adds a new requirement for the state to construct and maintain drainage systems under roads in towns with populations of 2,500 or fewer, based on the latest federal census. The bill mandates these maintenance and drainage obligations at state expense, applying to both rural highways and those within smaller incorporated communities. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 309 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to change how municipalities enforce building safety standards. It requires municipalities to use two or more non-affiliated third-party agencies for code enforcement after January 1, 2026 (replacing a current one-agency option that expires then), with contracts limited to three years and strict requirements for agency qualifications and public solicitation. The bill also mandates that permit applications inform applicants about third-party agency roles, complaint procedures, and department oversight, while requiring municipalities to maintain complaint records and file waiver requests if they cannot secure two agencies. These changes directly affect local governments and building permit applicants by restructuring enforcement oversight and accountability.

Maddy summarySB 326 updates Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to automatically align the state's scheduling of substances with federal changes. It requires the state health secretary to add federally controlled substances to Pennsylvania's schedule within 30 days of federal action, unless objections are filed within that period. If objections are raised, the secretary must hold a hearing and issue a final order before scheduling takes effect. This affects the Pennsylvania Department of Health and regulated entities like pharmacies, healthcare providers, and businesses handling controlled substances.

Maddy summarySB 330 amends Pennsylvania's Sports Raffle Charities Act to change how funds from athletic event drawings are distributed. It requires 50% of ticket sales to go directly to designated charities within seven days, while 5% must fund fire department and emergency medical services grants through the Office of State Fire Commissioner. Nonprofit organizations running these raffles must annually report total ticket sales, charity donations, and grant funds to the State Treasurer by September 30. These reports are shared with state legislative committees overseeing appropriations and emergency services. The bill directly affects nonprofits conducting athletic raffles and the fire/emergency grant programs funded by the 5% allocation.

Maddy summarySB 352 updates Pennsylvania's Dam Safety and Encroachments Act by adding a definition for "flood-related hazard" (e.g., debris or obstructions that increase flood risks to life or property). It clarifies which dams must comply with safety regulations, specifying that dams exceeding 15 feet in depth or 50 acre-feet in water storage capacity - whether on watercourses or used for non-water fluids - are covered. The bill explicitly excludes routine flood mitigation on farms under the Right-to-Farm Law. This amendment ensures the law applies consistently to significant dams and hazards while maintaining existing agricultural exemptions.

Maddy summarySB 350 amends Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law to clarify and adjust access to public records, primarily affecting individuals or organizations seeking records for commercial purposes. It defines "commercial purpose" as using records to sell information, solicit business, or generate revenue (excluding news media, nonprofits, or academic research), and requires requesters to certify if their use is commercial. Agencies may charge additional fees for commercial requests - capped at the lowest-paid public employee's hourly wage - and must provide fee estimates before fulfilling such requests. Exceptions include insurance-related records, certain legal requests, and records already subject to separate fee structures under other laws.