Sen. Lindsey Williams

Maddy summarySB 853 creates a tax credit for small Pennsylvania businesses (with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) affected by minimum wage increases. It allows employers to claim a credit equal to 50% of the wage increase cost in the first year after a minimum wage hike, and 25% in the second year, against their state tax liability. Unused credit can be carried over for up to three years but cannot be refunded or carried back. Pass-through businesses may also transfer unused credits to owners in proportion to their share of business income.

Maddy summarySB 796 increases the tax on motor vehicle leases from 3% to 5% of the lease price and raises the fee for renting a motor vehicle from $2 to $6.50 per day. Revenue from these fees will fund Pennsylvania’s Public Transportation Assistance Fund, which supports public transportation services statewide. The bill affects vehicle lessees and renters, including those using carsharing services, though carsharing rentals of less than 6 hours will have lower fees (ranging from $0.25 to $1.25). The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 795 imposes a new fee on transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Pennsylvania. Companies must pay 4.6% of total ride fares in Philadelphia (a city of the first class) and 6% elsewhere, remitted quarterly to the Public Transportation Trust Fund. These fees will directly fund transportation programs, including operating costs for public transit systems, as specified in the bill’s fund allocation provisions. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 846 makes it illegal to declaw cats for non-therapeutic reasons in Pennsylvania. The bill prohibits veterinarians and pet owners from performing declawing procedures (including onychectomy or tendonectomy) unless medically necessary to treat an existing health condition, excluding cosmetic or convenience reasons. Violations are punishable as summary offenses with fines ranging from $50 to $1,500, depending on the number of offenses. The law specifically excludes routine claw trimming or temporary nail caps from the prohibition.

Maddy summarySB 845 requires commercial marinas and boat docks in Pennsylvania to implement electrical safety measures to prevent shock hazards. It mandates annual inspections by licensed electricians starting January 2025, installation of ground-fault protection (limiting electrical leakage to 100 milliamperes), and posting permanent warning signs stating "ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD RISK: NO SWIMMING WITHIN 100 YARDS" near water. These rules apply to facilities offering services for remuneration (e.g., rental, repairs), excluding privately owned docks used solely by owners or guests. The requirements take effect 60 days after enactment, with new electrical systems needing compliance after July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 9-13, 2025, as "Union Organizing Week" in Pennsylvania. It symbolically honors workers who advocate for collective bargaining rights and fair workplace conditions, without creating new laws or altering existing policies. The resolution acknowledges the role of unions in improving wages, safety, and equity while recognizing workers' right to choose unionization. It is purely ceremonial and does not affect employers, workers, or labor regulations.

Maddy summaryPennsylvania's SB 612, the Menstrual Equity Act, requires specific public entities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and pads) in restrooms without stigma. It directly affects schools, colleges, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, government offices offering public services (e.g., unemployment assistance), and armories. The law mandates these locations make products available at no cost starting July 1, 2025, with state secretaries overseeing implementation. Key provisions focus on accessibility and eliminating cost barriers for people who menstruate in these settings.

Maddy summarySB 830 establishes Pennsylvania's Child-Care Workforce Commission within the Department of Human Services to collect and analyze data about the state's child-care workforce. The Commission will track workforce demographics (including education, pay, race, gender, and location), compile an annual public report, and maintain a dedicated website for transparency. This bill directly affects child-care centers, family child-care homes, group child-care homes, and their employees across Pennsylvania, requiring them to provide data for the Commission's analysis. The Commission's findings will inform recommendations to improve workforce conditions, with membership including providers, employees, educators, and parents representing diverse geographic and sector perspectives.

Maddy summarySB 818 amends Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) Act to add new requirements for businesses seeking tax benefits. It mandates that businesses making capital investments over $25,000 for facility construction, repair, or renovation must ensure 70% of workers are "skilled craft laborers" (as defined by apprenticeship completion or equivalent experience) and that all workers receive the state-mandated prevailing wage. Violations of these wage requirements - such as intentional nonpayment - require businesses to refund all tax benefits received for that year. This affects KOZ businesses pursuing tax exemptions, deductions, abatements, or credits, directly linking labor standards to tax incentives. The bill integrates Pennsylvania's prevailing wage laws into KOZ tax compliance, effective 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 824 updates Pennsylvania's vehicle code to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It requires vehicles parked near on-street pedestrian plazas or bike lanes to position wheels within 12 inches of the buffer zone between the lane and parking, with exceptions for school buses. The bill also mandates that cyclists use designated bike paths when marked by traffic signs, unless unsafe. Violations carry fines of $15 for general parking, $50-$200 for disability spot misuse, and $100-$300 for ignoring bike path requirements. Local governments can establish additional parking rules for these areas.