Sen. Jay Costa

Maddy summarySB 1237 amends the Underground Utility Line Protection Law to update specific dates and strengthen enforcement measures for protecting underground infrastructure. The bill sets a new expiration date of April 30, 2018, for a particular clause and requires project owners to issue compliance orders immediately rather than waiting 60 days. These changes apply to facility owners, designers, excavators, and project owners who must adhere to the updated damage prevention rules. By tightening the timeline for compliance orders, the legislation aims to ensure faster responses to potential threats against underground utility lines.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates November 2024 as "Care at Home Month" in Pennsylvania to honor the work of home care, hospice, and home health professionals. The measure highlights the importance of these workers who help individuals with disabilities and older adults receive essential support and medical services in their own homes. It also acknowledges the growing demand for such care as the state's population ages and notes the significant number of jobs currently held in this sector. By passing this resolution, the Senate aims to express gratitude for the dedication of these caregivers without changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution designates October 16, 2024, as "Global Dignity Day" throughout Pennsylvania. The bill formally acknowledges the annual observance, which encourages people worldwide to recognize shared human dignity and look beyond differences. It does not create new laws or change government operations, but rather serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the inherent worth of Pennsylvanians.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates 2024 as the "Year of The Franklin Institute" to honor the museum's 200th anniversary. The measure formally recognizes the institution's history, its role in science education, and its status as a major cultural landmark in Pennsylvania. By passing this resolution, the Senate encourages residents and visitors to celebrate the institute's contributions and directs a copy of the document to the museum.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates November 2024 as "Good Samaritan Law Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to highlight the state's existing immunity protections for individuals who call 911 during drug overdoses. The bill encourages all branches of state and local government to promote awareness of Act 139 of 2014, which allows people to seek emergency medical help without fear of facing criminal charges. By increasing public knowledge of this law, the measure aims to encourage more people to seek immediate assistance during medical emergencies, potentially saving lives.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors all Pennsylvania veterans who have served during both war and peace on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024. It encourages local communities across the state to participate in ceremonies recognizing the nearly 800,000 current residents who have served in the armed forces. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis Pennsylvania Senate resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the National Collegiate Athletic Association to work together on creating consistent rules for student-athlete name, image, and likeness policies across all states. The bill seeks to establish national guidelines that would ensure fairness, oversight, and transparency for college athletes, addressing the current patchwork of state laws and NCAA regulations. By calling for uniformity, the resolution aims to protect student-athletes and provide a clearer environment for NIL agreements without mandating specific legal changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania vehicle laws to allow the Department of Transportation to replace registration plates that are too worn or damaged to be read from a reasonable distance. Under the new rules, owners of standard plates must pay for a replacement, while those with special veteran or military service plates receive a free replacement with the same design. The legislation also ensures that personal plates with unique numbers keep their original numbers unless the owner chooses otherwise. These changes apply to a wide range of special plates honoring military service, veterans, and their families, and the law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Pennsylvania law to allow police officers at Fort Indiantown Gap to keep their certification without retaking the full exam. Under the new rules, these officers can maintain their status if they finish required training and either already hold an active certificate or previously held one that expired within the last two years while working at the base. The legislation applies specifically to installation police officers at this military facility and does not affect other law enforcement agencies. It will become effective 60 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to update investment rules for state funds and establish a new retirement savings initiative called the Keystone Saves Program. The program allows eligible employers to facilitate automatic contributions from employee paychecks into Individual Retirement Accounts, with specific definitions provided for who qualifies as an employer and employee. Additionally, the legislation sets a new expiration date for the Treasury Department's authority to invest state moneys and adjusts the effective date for the electric vehicle road user charge.