Sen. James Malone

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 to require landlords to explicitly disclose parking availability and any associated fees in written leases. It prevents landlords from increasing parking fees during the lease term and allows tenants to file complaints in lower courts if these disclosure requirements are not met. If a court finds a landlord violated these rules, the landlord must pay the tenant's parking costs for the lease duration. The changes apply to all residential leases in the state and take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates May 2026 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to increase public awareness of the disease. The bill directly affects state officials and the general public by formally recognizing the month for educational purposes. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions for businesses or individuals. The resolution serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the impact of ALS on patients and families while acknowledging ongoing research efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness about child safety. The measure does not alter any laws or create new programs but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of preventing abuse. It acknowledges the ongoing efforts of parents, educators, and community members to protect children while calling for continued progress in this area.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to standardize rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary living spaces on single-family lots. It requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU per lot and sets a maximum size of 1,250 square feet or the size of the main home, whichever is smaller. The legislation restricts local governments from imposing certain barriers, such as requiring owner occupancy, mandating specific exterior designs, or charging additional fees for parking and impact. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "gross floor area" and ensures that having an ADU does not reclassify a property as multifamily housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Data Center Fair Share Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania that consume significant amounts of electricity to negotiate binding agreements with local community organizations. These agreements must include specific, measurable benefits for the host community, such as job training or infrastructure support, and the bill also mandates that these facilities make financial contributions to help pay for local power grid upgrades. Additionally, the legislation creates a new fund to support low-income households with energy bills and directs state agencies to create temporary regulations within 120 days to enforce these new requirements on large energy users.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a 10% sales and use tax on online subscriptions to sexually explicit commercial content in Pennsylvania. It defines taxable content as digital images or videos depicting sexual acts intended for sexual arousal, while excluding material with serious literary, artistic, or educational value. The tax would be collected by vendors at the time of purchase and would require online platforms to register with the state even if they do not have a physical presence in Pennsylvania. The revenue generated would go to the state's General Fund as nonmotor vehicle tax revenue, and the law would take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania's Crane Operator Licensure Act to include well drilling under the same regulatory framework, creating a single State Board of Crane Operators and Well Drillers. It establishes new requirements for well driller licensure, including examinations, bonding, insurance, continuing education, and registration for drilling companies and rigs. The legislation also expands definitions to cover various types of wells and drilling activities, while maintaining existing provisions for crane operator certification and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal process in Pennsylvania that allows families to transfer a deceased person's primary residence without going through full probate court proceedings. The law applies only to homes valued at $150,000 or less and requires the homeowner to have been legally domiciled in a county that has established an affidavit process. Family members who can prove their income is below 120% of the federal poverty guidelines would receive a waiver of filing fees when using this simplified transfer method. The court can issue a distribution decree without requiring formal letters of administration or a probated will, and the process includes a two-year window for challenging improper distributions. The provision would expire seven years after it takes effect, with a required study on its implementation before any renewal decision.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates April 4, 2026, as "School Librarian Day" in Pennsylvania to honor school librarians and their contributions to education. The measure recognizes the role librarians play in providing students with access to educational resources and teaching media literacy skills. It highlights the importance of school libraries in fostering reading appreciation and academic success while acknowledging the declining number of librarians in Pennsylvania schools. The resolution serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the profession rather than enacting new policy requirements.

Maddy summarySB 100 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code concerning inheritance tax deductions. It increases the family exemption that can be deducted from the value of transferred property to a maximum of $100,000, if claimed by a family member. The bill also expands the list of deductible expenses to include bequests for religious services and funds placed in trust for the care and preservation of burial lots. These changes will apply to the value of property transferred after June 30, 2024, affecting estates subject to inheritance tax.