Maddy summarySB 419 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to residents and small businesses directly affected by the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The program covers medical expenses, lost income, property damage, relocation costs, and decontamination for homeowners and small businesses (under 100 employees) located within 15 miles of the derailment site or demonstrating contamination evidence. Administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, grants are funded through state appropriations, federal money, settlements from responsible parties, or other designated sources. Applications can be submitted anytime for expenses occurring on or after February 3, 2023, with applicants required to provide "actual proof" of impact.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows state legislators' offices and approved organizations (like nonprofits) to directly issue temporary disability parking placards to eligible individuals. Applicants must submit a signed statement confirming disability qualifications and provide medical verification, with the issuing office electronically submitting the application to the state agency. Temporary placards are valid for up to six months, and no fees can be charged beyond actual postage costs. The change streamlines access to temporary disability parking for people with qualifying conditions.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2025 as "Community College Month" in Pennsylvania. It is a symbolic gesture recognizing community colleges' role in providing affordable higher education, workforce training, and access to students from diverse backgrounds. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or direct impacts on individuals or institutions. It serves only to highlight community colleges' contributions through a designated month of recognition.
Maddy summarySB 397 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act to require public employee unions to report how membership dues are spent. It mandates that unions file quarterly reports with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board detailing officer salaries, benefits, all expenses (including travel), and political spending related to elections. The bill also requires public employers to forward signed collective bargaining agreements to the board within 15 days and directs the board to make all reports and agreements publicly accessible online. These changes directly affect public-sector unions and the Labor Relations Board, increasing transparency around union finances and contract terms. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 386 expands Pennsylvania's restrictions on foreign entities acquiring agricultural land, prohibiting entities from "countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, and others) and foreign political parties from purchasing more than 100 acres of farmland, except through inheritance or as security for debt. It requires title companies to verify compliance, imposes $1,000 penalties for willful failures, and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations and seize illegally acquired land. Forfeited land must be sold at auction, with proceeds first covering sale costs and investigation expenses, then paying lienholders, and finally funding the state General Fund. The law defines "agricultural land" as land used for farming crops, livestock, or related products, excluding mineral rights or non-agricultural zoning.
Maddy summarySB 380, the China Divestiture Act, requires Pennsylvania's major retirement systems (State Employees', Public School Employees', and Municipal Retirement Systems) and the State Treasurer to sell all investments tied to China. It mandates phasing out direct holdings of Chinese government securities and scrutinized Chinese companies (including sanctioned entities) within 10 years (50% sold by year 3, 75% by year 5, 100% by year 10). The bill also prohibits new investments in such entities and requires annual reports on divestment progress to state officials. This policy directly affects Pennsylvania's $100+ billion public pension funds by restructuring their investment portfolios.
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 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 summaryThis resolution (SR 28) urges Pennsylvania's Governor to offer the Pennsylvania National Guard's services to Texas for Operation Lone Star, a border security effort. It directly affects Pennsylvania's National Guard and Texas' border operations, requesting deployment to assist with border security. The resolution cites Pennsylvania's interest in addressing border-related impacts like fentanyl trafficking and costs ($1.6 billion burden to taxpayers), and references the Guard's past experience in border operations. As a resolution, it does not mandate deployment but formally requests the Governor to volunteer the Guard's support and transmits the request to federal and Texas officials.
Maddy summarySB 336 prohibits solar energy facilities on Pennsylvania agricultural land with high-quality soil (Class 1 or 2) and requires landowners to seek soil classification certification from the Department of Agriculture before leasing land for solar projects. The bill creates a tax credit covering up to 30% of a solar project’s cost (3¢ per kilowatt-hour) for facilities on eligible sites like brownfields, abandoned mines, capped landfills, warehouse rooftops, or parking canopies, with an annual $5 million cap on credits. It excludes small solar projects under 2 megawatts, pre-existing agreements, and agricultural land where low-quality soil makes up only a small portion of the parcel. The tax credit application process requires annual submission by February 1 and approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development.