Sen. Wayne Fontana

Maddy summarySB 895 requires drivers in Pennsylvania to carry a signed vehicle registration card (either physical or electronic) while operating a vehicle and to show it to police upon request. It directly affects all drivers who operate vehicles on public roads. The bill adds a provision mandating that registration cards be in the driver's possession or in the vehicle and specifies that electronic proof of registration (including financial responsibility) satisfies requirements. It also grants police officers immunity from liability if they accidentally view unrelated content or cause damage while checking electronic proof of registration in good faith. The changes take effect within 60 to 12 months, depending on the specific provision.

Maddy summarySB 880 amends Pennsylvania's public assistance laws to improve security for recipients' benefit access devices (like EBT cards). It requires recipients to report stolen devices immediately and mandates new security measures, including replacing magnetic-strip cards with chip technology, adding transaction alerts via text/email, and creating a mobile app feature to lock/unlock cards. The bill also establishes streamlined reporting procedures for theft and targets outreach to educate recipients on preventing fraud. These changes directly affect public assistance recipients who use electronic benefit cards to access food, cash, or other support. The law aims to reduce financial harm from card theft and skimming during normal transactions.

Maddy summarySB 876 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, which provides funding to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to rehabilitate existing owner-occupied housing. The program requires grants to address habitability, improve energy/water efficiency, or increase accessibility for units owned by households earning no more than 120% of the area median income. Grants cannot exceed $50,000 per unit and may cover up to 10% of funds for administrative costs. Local governments must apply with detailed plans showing how funds will meet these requirements, with applications reviewed by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Maddy summarySB 344 creates a new 2026 special payment for retired municipal police officers and firefighters who began receiving retirement benefits before January 1, 2021. Retirees will receive monthly payments ranging from $75 (5-10 years retired) to $300 (20+ years retired) based on their retirement duration as of January 1, 2026. Municipalities must initially pay these adjustments but will later receive reimbursement from the state, provided they submit required certification by April 1 each year. The bill updates an existing 1988 law to add this new payment tier while clarifying state reimbursement rules for past adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 345 amends Pennsylvania's Recorder of Deeds Fee Law to increase the fee for recording deeds and mortgages from $15 to $16 per document, with annual adjustments based on inflation using the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Consumer Price Index. County governments must set this fee via resolution, and the collected funds must be deposited into a county demolition fund exclusively for demolishing blighted properties within that county. The bill directly affects property owners who pay the recording fee and county governments that manage the demolition fund. It establishes a clear mechanism for fee adjustments tied to inflation, ensuring the fee keeps pace with cost-of-living changes. The policy change focuses on funding property demolition through a standardized, inflation-adjusted fee structure.

Maddy summarySB 62 establishes a new $10 million Redevelopment Authority Startup Fund within Pennsylvania's state treasury, funded by a $10 million transfer from the General Fund. It creates a loan program allowing qualified local redevelopment authorities in smaller counties (non-first/second class) to receive startup loans of up to $500,000 at 2% interest, repayable over 10 years. These loans can be used exclusively for purchasing, redeveloping, or remediating residential or commercial properties, but not for operating expenses or debt refinancing. The program aims to support economic development in underserved communities by providing low-cost capital through a revolving fund that replenishes with repayments.

Maddy summarySB 689 amends Pennsylvania's Milk Marketing Law to establish a new "board-established premium" fee on Class 1 fluid milk, directly affecting dairy producers and milk dealers through pricing changes. The bill allows the Pennsylvania Milk Board to set these premiums based on cost of production, price received, and return on equity, with a requirement for legislative review by the Agriculture Committees. If committees fail to disapprove within 30 days (or six session days), the premium is deemed approved. The law also modifies how premiums are collected (via the Department of Revenue), distributed, and exempt from standard administrative review processes, while updating cooperative marketing rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) honors the late Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew R. Gergely and expresses condolences to his family following his death. It formally recognizes his life, career in McKeesport (including roles as City Administrator and Chief Revenue Officer), and service as a state representative for the 35th district. The resolution, adopted on June 23, 2025, directs the Senate to convey these condolences to his wife, children, and other surviving family members. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Pennsylvania's child protective services laws to specifically address cases involving military families. It adds definitions for "military family" (including service members, spouses, and children) and requires reports of suspected child abuse to note if they involve military families. The bill mandates that when a report concerns a military family, the state must notify both the Pennsylvania Family Advocacy Program and the military installation's representative. These changes update reporting procedures, database entries, and information-sharing rules to better coordinate with military child protection services.

Maddy summarySB 700 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt research-backed reading curricula aligned with the science of reading, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates schools to use approved reading screeners to identify early literacy struggles, develop intervention plans for struggling students, and notify parents about their child’s reading progress. The bill creates a state list of approved curricula and screeners, overseen by a 20-member Reading Leadership Council including teachers and specialists, and requires schools to report adoption and screening data. Schools must also provide free, required professional development for educators on evidence-based reading instruction and intervention methods. This directly affects all K-3 public school students, their teachers, and parents through updated curriculum, screening, and intervention requirements.