Sen. Greg Rothman

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to allow the Secretary of Education to temporarily waive a requirement that career and technical education programs must end by twelfth grade. The change directly affects students in vocational and technical education programs and gives the state education secretary the authority to approve programs that extend beyond high school graduation. The waiver is limited to three years or until final regulations are issued, whichever happens first, and does not prevent existing programs from ending in twelfth grade. Students already enrolled in these programs before the waiver expires will not be affected by the change.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act to clarify and expand the types of properties eligible for tax exemptions in economically depressed areas. It specifically broadens the definition of "deteriorated property" to include industrial, commercial, and other business properties, as well as government-owned sites like schools that are located in designated distressed zones or have been ordered vacated or demolished. The legislation also introduces new definitions for terms such as "converted residential portion" and "mixed-use building" to better guide local governments in identifying eligible sites. Under the updated rules, local taxing authorities must hold a public hearing to establish the boundaries of these deteriorated areas before granting tax relief for improvements or new construction within them.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors the life of Officer Kristen M. Yeager and offers condolences to her family following her death in the line of duty on May 29, 2026. The measure formally recognizes her service to the Berks County police departments, her educational background, and her personal life as a mother and wife. By adopting this resolution, the Pennsylvania Senate acknowledges her professional contributions and expresses official sympathy to her loved ones without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 1277 amends Pennsylvania's Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act to update how local governments can offer property tax exemptions for deteriorated buildings and new construction in economically depressed areas. The bill clarifies definitions to include various types of distressed properties, such as those ordered vacated or demolished, and expands the scope to cover mixed-use and converted residential structures. It also establishes a public registry for these exemptions and requires local authorities to hold at least one public hearing before designating specific areas as deteriorated. Ultimately, the legislation provides a standardized framework for municipalities to implement tax relief aimed at revitalizing struggling neighborhoods.

Maddy summarySB 576 amends Pennsylvania's tax code for mutual thrift institutions, such as credit unions, by adjusting their annual tax rates on taxable net income. Starting in 2025, the tax rate will gradually decrease from 7.95% to 4.99% over seven years, with specific rates set for each year through 2031. The bill also revises the net loss carryover rule, allowing institutions to deduct losses from the previous ten years (instead of three) when calculating current tax, but the deduction cannot exceed the current year's net income. Mutual thrift institutions must report and pay taxes annually by April 15 under these updated rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas well operators in Pennsylvania to obtain a specific drilling permit before drilling wells that target the Utica shale formation or reach depths of 3,800 feet or more. The permit application process will follow existing state regulations for resource development, adding a new layer of administrative review for these specific deep-drilling projects. Directly affecting energy companies and land operators, the law mandates compliance with these permitting rules before any drilling begins in the designated geological horizons. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's tax laws to increase the maximum annual historic preservation tax credit available to a single property owner from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The change directly affects qualified taxpayers who restore or rehabilitate historic buildings, allowing them to claim a larger tax credit against their state taxes. The Department of Community and Economic Development is responsible for reviewing and approving these credit certificates under the new limit. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summarySB 1279, known as the Reduce the Red Tape for Housing Act, aims to streamline housing construction permitting in Pennsylvania by requiring executive agencies to set specific processing timelines and adopt digital application systems. The bill introduces a new role called the Commonwealth Housing Regulatory Compliance Officer to coordinate between state agencies, local governments, and developers, while also allowing developers to hire independent third-party reviewers to expedite approvals. Additionally, the Office of Transformation and Opportunity must evaluate ways to improve the building materials supply chain and report on progress in reducing regulatory hurdles for housing projects.

Maddy summarySB 1281 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a new process for faster approval of high-density housing projects. The bill requires the State Planning Board to establish rules allowing municipalities to approve specific residential developments on zoned lots without needing to update their comprehensive plans or land use regulations. These expedited approvals are limited to smaller housing units, such as duplexes, townhouses, and multi-unit buildings with fewer than 50 units, provided they meet existing density limits and are served by public utilities. The legislation also enables the use of pre-approved building plans and typical drawings to streamline the construction permitting process.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 328 designates June 2026 as 'The Month of the American Soldier' in Pennsylvania to honor the service and sacrifice of military personnel. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies but serves to recognize the contributions of soldiers and their families. The text specifically highlights thirteen Pennsylvania natives who received the Medal of Honor or held high-ranking positions to exemplify the state's military tradition.