Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates June 1, 2026, as "PIAA Wrestling Day of Champions" to honor the sport's growth and significance in Pennsylvania. The measure highlights the increasing participation in wrestling, particularly among female athletes, and celebrates the state's rich history in the discipline. It serves as a commemorative gesture rather than enacting new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates May 2026 as "Celiac Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight celiac disease, an autoimmune condition affecting approximately 130,000 residents. The measure aims to increase public understanding of the disease, which requires a strict gluten-free diet to prevent intestinal damage and other health complications. By officially recognizing this month, the Senate intends to encourage early diagnosis, reduce stigma, and promote discussion about the need for better research funding and food labeling.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 312 designates the week of May 10 through 16, 2026, as National Hospital Week throughout Pennsylvania. This resolution directly affects hospitals, healthcare workers, and the general public by formally recognizing the contributions of medical facilities to the state's economy and community health. The bill includes provisions to thank frontline health workers and encourages residents to visit local hospitals to appreciate their services. It serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the role of hospitals in providing care, training professionals, and supporting local jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new large-scale warehouses and distribution centers in Pennsylvania to be built as "solar-ready," meaning their roofs must be designed to easily accommodate solar panels with at least 40% of the area free from obstructions. To enforce this, the Department of Environmental Protection must ensure new projects include specific structural and electrical features, such as reinforced roofs and pre-installed wiring pathways, while denying waivers based on general costs or market factors. The only way to avoid these requirements is to prove that unique site conditions, like severe shading or poor soil, make compliance technically impossible or excessively expensive, a claim that must be supported by detailed engineering reports and independent cost estimates. Additionally, the legislation provides for tax exemptions on eligible solar retrofit costs and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summarySB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.

Maddy summarySB 64 creates an official logotype for veteran-owned businesses in Pennsylvania (defined as businesses where veterans own at least 51% of the interest). Businesses can apply to use the logotype through a department process, with a $250 fee and optional contributions to the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund. The fund, established under existing law, will use these fees and contributions to support military families. The bill also imposes penalties for falsely claiming veteran status to use the logotype. It directly affects veteran-owned businesses and funds military family relief programs.

Maddy summarySB 507 amends Pennsylvania's medical licensing law to reestablish the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure as the State Board of Medicine and update its structure. It directly affects midwifery professionals by creating three new license categories: midwifery, nurse-midwife, and certified midwife. The bill establishes specific requirements and definitions for these licenses under the board's authority. This change clarifies licensing pathways for midwifery practitioners within the state's medical regulatory framework. The bill passed final passage on October 21, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 848 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to update the composition of the State Planning Board. It adds two members appointed by the Senate President pro tempore (from different political parties) and two by the House Speaker (also from different parties), while expanding ex-officio membership to include eight cabinet secretaries and agency directors. The bill specifies four-year terms for Governor-appointed members and increases the board's required quorum from 13 to 14 members. These changes directly affect how the board is structured and who serves on it, without altering the board's policy responsibilities. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summarySB 867 creates an Accessibility Advisory Board to review and recommend updates to Pennsylvania's accessibility standards in building codes. The 11-member board - requiring representation from people with disabilities, architects, business, housing, and municipal officials - must assess new sections of the International Code Council (ICC) accessibility codes within 21 months of their publication. It establishes a 120-day public comment period and requires the board to apply three criteria (public safety, economic impact, technical feasibility) before voting on whether to adopt, reject, or modify changes. The board’s recommendations must be adopted by the Department of Labor and Industry within nine months, directly affecting municipalities, builders, and people with disabilities through updated construction accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" and May 4, 2026, as "Police Officers' Memorial Day" within Pennsylvania. The measure serves to formally recognize and honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, specifically mentioning five officers who passed away in 2025. By adopting this resolution, the Pennsylvania Senate acknowledges the sacrifices made by police officers and aligns with a national observance that has been held annually since 1962.